There is nothing that can spoil a pleasant, unwinding soak than to find out that your hot tub heater is not functioning fine. Whether you have a SaluSpa Heater fails to heat, a Hot Springs spa not heating, or your Coleman SaluSpa heater is simply not turning on, fear not–you will have the problem diagnosed and solved in no time with this guide.
Typical Indicators That Your Hot Tub Heater Is Going Bad
Before getting into repairs, here are some of the clues that may be used to either confirm that the heater is indeed the problem or not:
Not heating up or heating up very slowly in a hot tubThe heater of the hot tub is not able to warm the water up to its expected level.Even when the pump is running, my hot tub heater is defective heater on the spa not working, yet all other things appear to be working
Circuit breaker on hot tub keeps trippingHot tub failing to warm despite operating hours on end.They are an excellent sign that your heater or the other components of your heater like the spa pump and heater system is off the track.
Rapid Trouble Shooting List
Go through this checklist first in order to eliminate simple solutions before you get into more complex repairs:
1. Look at Circuit Breaker
The hot tub is again not heating up. Restart it and see.
2. Check the Control Panel
Make sure there is no error code or warning lights. Many of the models including a Lay-Z-spa, SaluSpa, Hot Springs Spa will display an error when the heater on the hot tub has a fault on it.
3. Proper Flow of Water
Look for the heater body – and only after water flow is verified, presume that the heater is dead.
4. Temperature Check Temperature Settings
See whether the temperature is adjusted to be on the high-side to trigger the heater.
5. Check of Water Level
As the water levels go low, the heater may simply turn off, to avoid damage.
Reasons: Why Your Hot Tub Heater Is Not Working?
A. Electric Issues
- Tripped GFCI breaker
- Frayed connections to the heater
- Bad thermostat or temperature sensor
- Lack of power to the hot tub heater element
- Symptoms: Heating does not come on at all, breaker trips when heater is on.
B. Bad Heating Element
- Perhaps your hot tub heating element has corroded, or even burned up.
- Common with:
- Coleman SaluSpa Heater not working
- SaluSpa heater not heating
- Checking procedure: Test with a multimeter to determine continuity.
C. Pump Problems or Flow of Water
- Water flow may be low or zero, which may stop the heater.
- Airlock in the lines
- Clogged or dirty filters
- Heater system and spa pump in disrepair
D. Reset Required or Heating Cycle Problems
- Heater jammed in middle of cycle
- When there is a power outage or surge, heater requires a manual reset
- Not heating after reset may suggest a more serious problem in the spa
Fixing a Hot Tub Heater
You have the potential causes so we are going to go through and fix this in a step-by-step manner.
Step 1: Filters Clean or Replace
Blocked filters block water and make heaters switch off as precautionary.
How-To:
- Shut down electricity
- Take out and wash filters
- Change worn out/torn
Step 2: Blow off the Hot Tub
Sometimes, the heater can be restored to functionality by a simple reset.
Instructions:
- Shut down the spa at the breaker
- Wait 30-60 sec
- Restart it and observe the control panel
Step 3: Test Heating Element
When cleaning and resetting your hot tub heater has not made a difference, one of the things that you can do is to test the heating element.
Tools needed:
- Multimeter
- Screwdriver
Steps:
- Disconnect power
- Terminals of access heaters
- Continuity test
- Change where required
Step 4: Tend to Heater Leaks
When you see water gathering around a heater, you can say that you have a hot tub leaking from the heater.
Fix:
- Inspect union and seals of heaters
- Replace O-rings
- In case of the crack on the housing, the heater could be in need of complete replacement
Step 5: Replace or Fix Faulty Heater Parts
When you have eliminated other possibilities, like electrical and water flow, as the cause of the problem then it is definitively narrowed down to the heater itself. That is when the heater will be replaced.
Options:
- Replace a damaged SaluSpa hot tub heater or Hot Springs Spa heating unit
- Get a hot tub licensed repair technician
- Replace with parts that are OEM to prevent compatibility problems
- DIY Guide on How to Replace a Hot Tub Heating Element
- This works best on handy homeowners who are easy on electrical repairs.
Materials Needed:
- OEM heater element
- Multimeter
- Silicone sealant
- Wrenches
Step-by-Step:
- Take off the power
- Empty the spa below the level of the heater
- Disconnect wiring
- Uninstall worn out heating element
- Put on a new element properly sealed
- Restock water and make sure there is no leakage
Do You Need a Professional?
Although most issues that affect heaters can be addressed at home, call a professional when:
- Heater has an in-house leakage problem
- The breaker trips when reset is done
- No energy gets to the control board
- The replacement of parts does not clear error codes
- A qualified technician is able to diagnose electrical or plumbing faults effectively and safely repair them.
Preventing Hot Tub Heating Problems
It is more cost-effective to prevent rather than to repair. This is how to defend your spa:
1. Adhere to a Consistent Cleaning Routine
- Clean filters once per 1 2 weeks
- Change spa 2-3 times a month
2. Check Weekly Heater Cycle & Operation
- Watch this when heating up slowly or frequently shutting off
- Hot tub heating cycle: keywords
3. Maintain Balance in Water Chemistry
- 7.2 to 7.6 pH
- Apply anti-scale chemicals to avert damage of elements
4. Freezeproof
- Plumbing and cabinet insulate
- Do not freeze water in winter (of particular concern with outdoor hot tubs)
FAQs:
Why won’t my hot tub get hot?
Low water flow, tripped breaker or heater element failure are common causes.
Is it possible to change my hot tub heater by myself?
Well, yes, provided you feel easy about a little electrical work. Otherwise, do not do it yourself but employ a professional.
Why does the heater trip the breaker?
This is normally caused by a short heater element or moisture in the control box.
Why does my SaluSpa not heat?
SaluSpa heaters commonly break down because of clogging of the scales, clogged filters, or misfunctioning sensors.
How can I reset the spa heater?
Turn the breaker off for 30-60 seconds and turn power on. In case everything goes wrong, check your manual or call in a professional.
Conclusion
Don’t freak out in case your hot tub heater goes out. It may be very simple, like switching the filters, electricity or water. In the worst-case scenario, you can either replace and test the heating element, reset the unit, repair a leak, etc. but in case of persistent or complex problems, a specialist is called.
The spa pump and heater will do quite well on the regular maintenance to keep you hot and relaxed all year with soaks.
