Pool Heater Repair
A cold pool in January is a pool nobody uses. Get matched with an independent local pro who repairs gas and propane pool heaters.
Free matching with independent local pool pros across Florida.
Getting a pool heater working again
Florida pools stay open all year, but the water still cools off on winter nights, especially in Jacksonville and Central Florida. That is when most homeowners discover their heater will not light, lights and quits, or runs for hours without warming the water.
Pool heater repair usually focuses on gas and propane heaters: the igniter, gas valve, burners, flame sensor, pressure and temperature switches, control board and heat exchanger. A pro can test each part, clean what is dirty and replace what has failed. Pros commonly work on brands such as Raypak, Pentair, Hayward and Jandy.
If you smell gas, stop
Do not try to light or reset the heater. Turn it off if you can do so safely, move away from the equipment, and contact your gas utility or emergency services. Gas heater repairs involve gas lines and combustion, so leave them to a qualified pro. Before work begins, confirm that the pro you hire holds the Florida license your job requires.
Common pool heater problems
Error codes differ by brand, so write down the exact code or light pattern and include it in your request.
Will not ignite
Often a failed igniter, a gas supply issue, a bad gas valve or a safety switch that is not closing. Check that the gas supply is on and the pump is running before calling.
Lights, then shuts off
Usually low water flow, a dirty filter, a flame sensor problem or an overheating heater. A clean filter solves it more often than people expect.
Runs but water stays cool
Can mean an undersized heater, scaled or sooty heat exchanger, a thermostat or sensor fault, or simply heat loss on windy nights without a cover.
Error code on the display
Pressure switch, high limit, ignition failure and sensor codes are common. The code narrows the search but still needs testing.
Soot, rust or water under the heater
Soot suggests a combustion problem. Rust or leaking water can mean a failing heat exchanger. Both need a pro to look.
Clicking or rumbling
Repeated clicking can be an ignition fault. Rumbling or knocking may point to scale in the exchanger or poor water flow.
Gas heater or heat pump?
Before you request a repair, check which kind of heater you have. They are repaired differently.
| Gas or propane heater | Electric heat pump | |
|---|---|---|
| How it heats | Burns gas to heat water directly | Pulls heat from the outside air |
| Heating speed | Fast, works in any weather | Slower, works best when air is mild |
| What it looks like | Metal cabinet with a vent on top, gas line attached | Large unit with a fan on top, like an AC condenser |
| Where to request | This page | Pool heat pump repair |
Quick checks before you request a repair
These are safe for most homeowners and sometimes solve the problem outright:
- Confirm the pump is running and the water flow looks normal.
- Clean or backwash the filter. Low flow is one of the most common reasons a heater will not fire.
- Check that the heater is switched on and the thermostat is set above the current water temperature.
- For propane, check the tank level. For natural gas, check that other gas appliances work.
- Note any error code or blinking light so the pro knows where to start.
What affects pool heater repair cost
- The failed part. Igniters and switches cost less to replace than control boards or heat exchangers.
- Heater brand and age. Older or less common models can take longer to source parts for.
- Gas and venting. Work on gas lines or venting adds time and may need additional permits or specialists.
- Access. Tight equipment pads and hard-to-reach heaters take more labor.
- Repair or replace. A pro may recommend comparing a repair with a new heater if the exchanger is failing.
We do not list prices. Ask the pro for a written quote that explains what they found.
Pool heater repair questions
Where can I find pool heater repair near me?
Send a request with your city and what the heater is doing. Dominion Pool Pros passes it to an independent pro who covers your area and works on pool heaters. The pro contacts you to talk through the problem and set up a visit.
How much does pool heater repair cost?
It depends on what failed and on the heater. An igniter, a pressure switch or a dirty burner tray is a smaller job than a cracked heat exchanger or a failed control board. The heater brand and age, parts availability and whether gas or electrical work is needed all affect the price. Ask the pro for a written quote before work starts.
Why does my pool heater turn on and then shut off?
Short cycling often comes from low water flow, a dirty filter, a faulty pressure switch, a sensor problem or a heater that is overheating. Start by cleaning the filter and checking that the pump is running normally, then let a pro test the heater if it keeps happening.
Is it worth repairing an older pool heater?
Often, yes, when the problem is a single part like an igniter or switch. When the heat exchanger is badly corroded or the heater needs repeated major repairs, many homeowners compare the repair quote against a replacement. See pool heater and heat pump installation.
Can I request help with a heat pump too?
Yes. Electric heat pumps work differently from gas heaters and have their own problems. See pool heat pump repair to request a pro for a heat pump.
Want a warm pool again?
Tell us your city, your heater type and what it is doing. We will pass your request to an independent local pro who repairs pool heaters.
Dominion Pool Pros is a free referral service. We connect Florida homeowners with independent local pool professionals and do not perform any pool or spa work ourselves.
Other heating and equipment services
- Pool Heat Pump RepairGet matched with a local pro for heat pumps that run without heating, ice up, show flow or pressure errors, or will not start.
- Pool Heater and Heat Pump InstallationFind a local pro to size and install a new gas heater or electric heat pump, including the plumbing, electrical and gas work the job requires.
- Pool Automation and Smart ControlsConnect with a local pro to repair a control panel or add automation that runs pumps, heat, lights and valves from one place.
- Pool Plumbing and Valve RepairConnect with a local pro for cracked pipes, stuck or leaking valves, air in the lines and weak return flow.
Request pool heater repair in these Florida areas
Requests are matched with independent pros in six Florida metro areas. Availability depends on local pro coverage.