Pool And Spa HeatersThe photo below is a Sta-Rite Maxi-E-Therm pool and spa heater. Whoever designed this heater really put a lot of thought into the design and did not just copy everybody else. This heater is my favorite gas heater for several reasons: 1)Note the round combustion chamber - its harder for rats to get inside the enclosed combustion chamber,and its very unlikely for debris to get in exhaust due to its simple but effective design. 2)It has one of the highest efficiency ratings in its class and price, mainly from the way the gas is mixed with the air before being introduced into the combustion chamber - notice how the gas valve is directly connected to the circular blower which pumps the gas/air mixture to combustion chamber. 3)Reliability - its one the most reliable and trouble free and easy to maintain gas heaters I have ever worked on - and I have over 20 years experience with heaters. 4)Because of its round shape, size and weight, it can be easily installed almost anywhere. 5)The outside is made of a composite material which does not rust. 6)This pool and spa heater has no pilot-it uses a ceramic ignitor to ignite burners-extremely reliable! (photo of ceramic ignitor at link below) If you are having trouble with your heater, below is a link to common heater problems:
Shown below is the same heater in a square box and different color - same on the inside but available in more sizes(BTU's)...another advantage of the square box is that if you have rats that like to chew on your heater wiring,the square box makes it easier to secure any openings with 1/4" chicken wire...on the round heater it is next to impossible to secure all openings but a few pieces of rat bait strategically placed around inside of heater can make up for this.
Below is a heater from the Raypak heaters brand - can't really say much bad about this heater - another good design. However,if you are in California or any other area where Lo Nox heaters are required,these heaters have been converted to Lo Nox standard which I believe is not as good as having a heater designed from the outset to be Lo Nox such as the models above..in my opinion,heaters that have been converted are more temper-mental as far as pressure settings,cleaning of burners and orifices,etc. and are more likely to need maintenance to burn properly.
I especially like the 150,000 BTU version of this heater for spas (shown above) because it will fit in many tight spots formally occupied by 125,000 BTU or smaller heaters. The only negative thing I can say is switching the water connections from the right to the left side requires moving 9 components and about 50 screws which is a pain in the buttocks. The version below is the commercial model with brass manifold.
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