We moved into our house close to three years ago and I have handled all of the pool chemistry and maintenance since day 1 using the TFP Pool Math app (which is amazing BTW).
The heater is a Pentair Sta-Rite SR333NA. I have no idea how old it is, but it appears to be quite old. It has just started leaking water and it shorts out the GFCI when it is on. I have turned the heater off, and I am now looking to replace the heater.
Simply put, I do not trust the local pool companies. If I call them up for help with a new heater then I'll speak to someone who has worked there for a year or two at most, and they will simply try to sell me whatever they have in stock. This is particularly true since it is nearing the end of pool season here in Michigan. I intend to install the heater myself, although I would be open to having it professionally installed if the heater is so heavy that I can't physically maneuver the thing on my own. The pool plumbing is not super accessible.
We intend to own the house and the pool for another 10-15 years or more, and I would like to replace the heater with a quality heater and brand that will last as long as you can reasonably get out of a pool heater.
I am hoping to get some recommendations on the best heater type (heat pump vs. gas heater), and also on brands and models that I should be looking at (and also maybe ones to avoid). The idea of a heat pump is appealing to me since they seem to have lower operating costs and apparently last longer. But I don't know if that is a feasible option since I am in Michigan. It does get pretty hot here in the summer, although the summers are short and we are only in the pool from Memorial Day to about Labor Day.
The simple solution seems to be to replace the current heater with another Pentair Sta-Rite, although maybe upgrade it to the "heavy duty" version with a nickel liner. But locating one may be a challenge due to Covid, and if there are better options out there then I may be interested in upgrading the heater.
Any suggestions that you can provide on the heater type and brand are really appreciated.
Thanks!
The heater is a Pentair Sta-Rite SR333NA. I have no idea how old it is, but it appears to be quite old. It has just started leaking water and it shorts out the GFCI when it is on. I have turned the heater off, and I am now looking to replace the heater.
Simply put, I do not trust the local pool companies. If I call them up for help with a new heater then I'll speak to someone who has worked there for a year or two at most, and they will simply try to sell me whatever they have in stock. This is particularly true since it is nearing the end of pool season here in Michigan. I intend to install the heater myself, although I would be open to having it professionally installed if the heater is so heavy that I can't physically maneuver the thing on my own. The pool plumbing is not super accessible.
We intend to own the house and the pool for another 10-15 years or more, and I would like to replace the heater with a quality heater and brand that will last as long as you can reasonably get out of a pool heater.
I am hoping to get some recommendations on the best heater type (heat pump vs. gas heater), and also on brands and models that I should be looking at (and also maybe ones to avoid). The idea of a heat pump is appealing to me since they seem to have lower operating costs and apparently last longer. But I don't know if that is a feasible option since I am in Michigan. It does get pretty hot here in the summer, although the summers are short and we are only in the pool from Memorial Day to about Labor Day.
The simple solution seems to be to replace the current heater with another Pentair Sta-Rite, although maybe upgrade it to the "heavy duty" version with a nickel liner. But locating one may be a challenge due to Covid, and if there are better options out there then I may be interested in upgrading the heater.
Any suggestions that you can provide on the heater type and brand are really appreciated.
Thanks!