Should I Clean the Coil of My Swimming Pool Heat Pump/Heater?

A swimming pool heat pump is a significant investment in your family’s entertainment, health, and social life. As with any investment, you want to make sure to protect it, and that means performing regular main maintenance. Keeping your unit properly maintained will not only ensure top performance, but will also to extend your units life span. One question we often receive from customers performing maintenance on their units is whether they should clean the coil in their heat pump. The answer is yes.

We recommend that owners clean their heat pump coils at least once a year, and that they check monthly to determine if more frequent cleaning is necessary. This will help maintain the units efficiency in transferring heat from the air to your pool water. If you are cooling your pool, cleaning the coils will help maintain the unit’s efficiency as it transfers heat from the pool water to the air. A dirty air coil reduces the airflow AND the transfer of heat in either direction.

If the heater is located in a dusty environment, you may want to clean it more frequently. Keep weeds and landscaping growth clear of the unit. Also watch for dryer vents, grass clippings, etc. that may cause a buildup of debris on your air coil. Under no circumstance should you insert any type of tool in attempt to clear out debris from your coils. Spraying water should eventually dislodge all foreign material.

Process To Clean Your Heat Pump

Cleaning is a simple process and requires no special equipment or materials.

1. First, be sure to turn the power off to the heat pump at the service disconnect or circuit breaker.
2. Using your garden hose and a nozzle, spray the coil with a soft but firm spray. Work your way around the perimeter from top to bottom. Too much water pressure can bend the fins of the coil – we want to avoid that. For this reason, we recommend against using a pressure washer for cleaning your heat pump.

No cleaners or detergents should be needed and none are recommended. Be sure to use fresh water. Do not use reclaimed/recycled water, as it tends to be acidic. Nor should you use your pool water to clean your coil. If you can’t drink it -don’t use it to clean your coils!

1. Restore Power to the heater once you are done. You are now ready to enjoy your pool!

If algae or dirt is present on your coil, you can spray Simple Green on the coil, wait approximately 10 minutes, then wash it off. Always aim the hose nozzle at a 45° angle and spray into the fins, not side to side. Too much pressure will cause fins on the coil to bend and cause airflow restrictions.

If you have any questions while you are doing this, please feel free to call our Customer Service Department at 800-878-0998. They will be glad to help with any questions you may have.