Pool heater - time to replace?

[pgershon]

I have two Raypak heaters that worked fine (having had their fair share of issues through the years) into last summer. I am prepping the pool to open for 2025 and I noticed the rust at the bottom of the heaters had broken through in places. I made it worse by touch the holes - the layer is paper thin at this point. Heaters were placed in service in the late fall 2010 and first used in 2011, so they delivered good life for me. Having said that, it would be great to get another year or two of service out of them. Attaching a photo of the area that concerns me. Rest of heaters look OK. Pool heater and spa heater have similar rust and breakage below the tray.

Thoughts?

 

[ajw22]

Let's get @swamprat69 thoughts.

If you do not mind the heater dying in the middle of the season, then see how long you can push it.

 

[pgershon]

Is pool heater (propane) replacement something a user can do or should I call pool service or gas company? Plumbing and electric seem easy, gas connections worry me.

 

[ajw22]

Proper heater installation should include Commissioning the heater. Read Heater Maintenance - Further Reading

Your installer should "Commission" the heater, which means test everything under load to verify that it is correct.

You should get a "Commissioning" report, which you can use in case of a warranty claim to prove correct gas pressure.

What is HVAC Commissioning & Why is it Important? YouTube video describes the commissioning process.

 

[pgershon]

What is a fair price for a heater install? Looks like a Raypak 406,000 BTU Digital Electronic Ignition Propane Pool Heater is $3600 or so on Amazon. But that does not include install. Local companies out here will kill you, as I have discovered.

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[Lake Placid]

Each market bears what it will bear for installation. Call several companies and get quotes. You may find many companies won’t install owner supplied parts. This may further limit your options. Depending on site conditions and how much is involved in installing the heater I could charge anywhere between $240 and $960 in labor.

 

[pgershon]

So I have two units being shipped to me and I have the gas company (propane) coming to disconnect and remove the old heaters and hook up the new ones (plumbing and gas) for $700. They will not touch the electric. Is there any reason I should not disconnect the old electric myself and hook up the electric to the new units when they are installed? I did not want to touch the gas hookup, but the electric is usually relatively easy, unless I am missing something.