I wasnt able to find any recent threads on the correct sizing and heater offerings. I'm going to be adding an intellicenter to my setup so would like a unit compatible with that. Is there any sizing guidelines similar to the salt cells to go 2-3x the size of your pool? i.e. my pool is a 12k gallon. What are the best and most efficient pentair heaters to go with? I would be connecting to NG as the fuel source. I initially thought a heat pump unit would be most ideal especially since i'm in TX but all the threads here seem to have very negative reviews of them and their efficiency.
Selecting a pentair heater
- Thread starter evamor
- Start date
I have a Pentair 400BTU with NG. it appears you do not have a spa, just a pool.
On the back of the Pentair brochure it provides info for a Pool in terms of temperature change over a 24hr time period - remember these numbers are from Pentair Marketing.
To obtain a 20 deg F temperature change (say from 60 to 80 deg) in a 24 hr period, a Model 200 BTU can do that for a 24k gal pool and a Model 400 BTU can create that same 20 deg change in a 48k gal pool. So by interpretation you could say a Model 400 is twice as fast as a Model 200 for a 20 deg. temperature change. It is a similar 2:1 ratio for 30deg and 40 deg temperature changes over 24hrs. It sounds confusing but that is how Pentair publishes data. So, in essence, the larger the BTU output the faster the time to heat.
In real terms, I can heat my 900 gal spa in 30 mins with a 30 deg change (i.e. 70 deg to 100 deg).
At Christmas I heated my 15k gal pool about 25 deg change in just over 12 hrs. My VS Pump was running at 2800 rpm.
I would go for the Model 400 from Pentair. There is no sense in waiting while the pool heats up. At Christmas, I turned on the heater at 9pm and the family was swimming at 10am the next morning.
Hope this helps.
On the back of the Pentair brochure it provides info for a Pool in terms of temperature change over a 24hr time period - remember these numbers are from Pentair Marketing.
To obtain a 20 deg F temperature change (say from 60 to 80 deg) in a 24 hr period, a Model 200 BTU can do that for a 24k gal pool and a Model 400 BTU can create that same 20 deg change in a 48k gal pool. So by interpretation you could say a Model 400 is twice as fast as a Model 200 for a 20 deg. temperature change. It is a similar 2:1 ratio for 30deg and 40 deg temperature changes over 24hrs. It sounds confusing but that is how Pentair publishes data. So, in essence, the larger the BTU output the faster the time to heat.
In real terms, I can heat my 900 gal spa in 30 mins with a 30 deg change (i.e. 70 deg to 100 deg).
At Christmas I heated my 15k gal pool about 25 deg change in just over 12 hrs. My VS Pump was running at 2800 rpm.
I would go for the Model 400 from Pentair. There is no sense in waiting while the pool heats up. At Christmas, I turned on the heater at 9pm and the family was swimming at 10am the next morning.
Hope this helps.
Very helpful thank you! Sounds like 400k btu is what I want then size wise. Is the Eti 400 worth it over the Mastertemp? The Eti at least from pentair website looks to be their top end unit although 6-8k is kinda nuts for it.
I am not familiar with the Eti as I have the Mastertemp which I put in 2 years ago. Maybe someone else will provide more info on the Eti model.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 67,098
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Check what gas service capacity you have at your house meter. Look for the CFM on the gas meter data plate.
Will you need to have a gas line run to your equipment pad or is it in place?
Functionally the ETI400 will heat water the same as a MasterTemp 400. It has a titanium heat exchanger instead of copper that may last longer. It has dual blowers that are supposed to be quieter. Lots of design updates and improvements. But you need to decide if it is worth the additional cost.
Will you need to have a gas line run to your equipment pad or is it in place?
Functionally the ETI400 will heat water the same as a MasterTemp 400. It has a titanium heat exchanger instead of copper that may last longer. It has dual blowers that are supposed to be quieter. Lots of design updates and improvements. But you need to decide if it is worth the additional cost.
Mastertemp = +/- 84% efficiency rating. ETi = +/-96% efficiency rating. ETi cost about double or more. How long to recover that huge difference in cost? ETi is a condensing heater, meaning that it produces a lot of highly corrosive condensation that has to flow out of the heater and will even dissolve concrete. They make a condensate neutralizer kit; cost +/- $200. Needs to be replaced periodically. If your home AC condensate line drips onto concrete somewhere, take a look at what it has done to it. Usually, unless you are going to be using the heater every day, the Mastertemp makes more economic sense. Repair costs to those types of heater (other companies make that type, too) is also higher when needed.
Very informative thank you. Mastertemp it will be then.
Just a reminder that Marty pointed out. Verify that your current gas meter can handle the 400 BTU.
See the picture of mine so you know what to look for. Notice the 425 rating. I feel most homes in suburbs of DFW has the larger meters but best to verify.
Thanks for this tip! I found a mastetemp 400 and went to check my meter which I otherwise would not have to find its only 275 CFH / 275k btu. Called atmos and started the process to get an upgraded meter put in which is free from the meter/atmos level. Hopefully won't have to pay to run any new lines.