Heating
Pool heater installation in Ottawa
Ottawa's swimming season is short. A properly sized pool heater lets you open in late spring and keep swimming into the fall, and a spring service check keeps it from failing on the first hot weekend.
- HRAI member
- TSSA affiliated
- Licensed technicians
- Free estimates
01Is it time?
It's time to call about your pool heater if…
- 01 You're installing a new pool, or your pool has never had a heater.
- 02 The water takes days to warm up, or never reaches the temperature you set.
- 03 The heater won't fire, shuts off on its own, or shows an error code.
- 04 You see corrosion, soot, leaks or water pooling around the heater.
- 05 Your heating bill climbed sharply but the pool isn't any warmer.
- 06 The heater is old and parts are getting hard to find.
02The install
What's included with a pool heater install
Most pool heater problems trace back to sizing, gas or electrical supply, or water flow. We plan for all three before we start.
Sizing to your pool
We size the heater to your pool's surface area, volume and how warm you want it, and to whether you use a cover. Too small and it never catches up on a cool night.
Gas or electrical supply
Gas heaters need a properly sized gas line, and gas work in Ontario is done by licensed technicians. Heat pump models need the right circuit from your panel.
Plumbing and flow
The heater is plumbed into your filter system with the right bypass and valves, so it gets the flow it needs without starving the pump.
Placement and clearances
A level pad, required clearances from windows, doors and property lines, and room to service it later.
Start-up and testing
We fire it up, check safety controls, measure the temperature rise and make sure it shuts off the way it should.
Walk-through
We show you how to set it, how to keep the cover habit that saves the most money, and what fall shutdown involves.
04Options
Which kind of pool heater fits your pool?
The right choice depends on how you use the pool and what fuel you have at the house.
Gas pool heater
Best for: Fast heat-ups and weekend use
Heats quickly regardless of the outdoor temperature, which suits pools that are used in bursts or need heat on cool spring days. Running costs are higher per degree than a heat pump.
Heat pump pool heater
Best for: Keeping the pool warm all season
Pulls heat from the outdoor air and costs much less to run, but heats more slowly and works best when the air is mild. Ideal if you keep the pool warm from June to September.
Service and repair
Best for: Existing heaters
A spring start-up and inspection, or a repair when it won't fire or heat properly. We'll tell you honestly if the heater is worth fixing.
05How it works
From first call to first cold night
- 1
Call or book online
Tell us about your pool, the heater you have now (if any) and when you want to swim.
- 2
Site visit
We check the pool equipment, gas or electrical supply, and where a heater can go.
- 3
Written quote
Equipment, installation scope and price in writing before any work starts.
- 4
Installation and start-up
Plumbing, gas or electrical connections, start-up and testing.
- 5
Fall shutdown
Before the first freeze, the heater needs to be drained and winterized so trapped water can't crack the heat exchanger.
What does a pool heater cost?
It depends mostly on the type of heater, its size, and how far it is from your gas meter or electrical panel. Heat pump models usually cost more up front and less to run; gas heaters are the opposite.
Book in early spring if you can. Installers fill up fast once the first warm week arrives.
Rebates & financing
Ontario's current home rebate programs focus on heating and cooling the house, not the pool, so pool heaters generally don't qualify. A heat pump pool heater is still the cheapest to run over a season.
Current programsWhen should I book a pool heater install or start-up?
Early spring. In Ottawa, most people want the pool open by late May or June, and installers and service calls book up quickly once the weather turns warm.
Gas or heat pump: which is cheaper to run?
A heat pump pool heater usually costs much less per degree of heat, as long as the outdoor air is mild. A gas heater costs more to run but heats faster and works on cold days. Many Ottawa pools that are used all summer do well with a heat pump.
How warm can I keep my pool in an Ottawa summer?
With a correctly sized heater and a cover at night, most pools can be kept in the high 20s °C through the summer. The cover matters as much as the heater: most heat is lost from the surface overnight.
Do I need to winterize my pool heater?
Yes. Before the first freeze, water has to be drained from the heater so it can't freeze and crack the heat exchanger. It's usually done when the pool is closed for the season.
Why won't my pool heater turn on?
Common causes are low water flow (a dirty filter or a closed valve), a tripped pressure switch, gas supply issues or an ignition fault. If cleaning the filter doesn't fix it, call us rather than repeatedly resetting it.
Can you service a heater you didn't install?
Yes. We service and repair existing pool heaters, and we'll tell you if a repair makes sense or if the heater is near the end of its life.
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