Pool pumps, heaters and heat pumps in Port St. Lucie, FL
Pool pump failing or need a heater or heat pump in Port St. Lucie, FL? Get a free quote from a licensed local pool contractor for pool equipment repair and installation.
The equipment pad is the heart of a pool. A pump pulls the water through a filter, a heater or heat pump can extend the swimming season, and sometimes a salt system or automation controls it all. When something on the pad fails, the pool turns green fast in Florida heat, so it is worth knowing your options before it happens.
Pumps
Pumps come in single speed, two speed and variable speed. Variable speed pumps let you run the water slowly for most of the day, and they often use much less electricity than a single speed pump. They cost more up front, and many owners get some of that back on the power bill. If your pump is loud, losing prime, leaking at the seal or tripping the breaker, it may need repair or replacement.
Filters
Sand, cartridge and DE filters are the common kinds. Each one needs regular cleaning and eventually new media or cartridges. A filter that is cracked, a pressure gauge that will not drop after cleaning or water that never clears can all point to a filter problem.
Heaters and heat pumps
Florida winters are mild, but a heater still helps in the cooler months, and some owners heat a pool year round for a spa or a longer season. The common choices:
- Heat pumps use electricity to move heat from the air into the water. They are popular in Florida because the air is warm most of the year, and they are efficient. They work more slowly than gas, and they work less well on cold nights.
- Gas heaters burn natural gas or propane and can heat quickly, even on cold nights. They cost more to run, and they need a gas line.
- Solar heating uses panels or tubing on the roof or ground. It can work well with the Florida sun, though it needs space and a good layout.
Salt systems and automation
Many pools use a salt chlorine generator, which makes chlorine from salt in the water. They need a working cell and regular checks, and the salt can affect certain metals and some stone. Automation lets you control the pump, lights and heater from a phone or a panel, and it is one more thing that can fail.
Safety and permits
Pool equipment mixes water and electricity, and a bad hookup is a safety risk. Heaters and heat pumps need proper electrical circuits, and the equipment and the pool need to be bonded to meet code. Some jobs, such as a new heater, a heat pump or a gas line, may need a permit, and local governments differ on what they require for a like for like replacement. Ask the contractor what applies where you live and who will pull the permit.
Licensing and permits
Pool work in Florida must be done by a licensed pool and spa contractor, and you can check any license for free on MyFloridaLicense.com. Permits depend on the job, the city or the county, and your HOA may have a say. More detail is on the pool resurfacing page.
What it costs
A pump replacement often runs from several hundred dollars to a couple of thousand, depending on the model and the labor. A heat pump or gas heater is a bigger job and can run a few thousand dollars or more, depending on size and the electrical or gas work. Ask for a written quote that names the brand, the size and the warranty.
If your pool is also losing water, see pool leak detection and repair, and for a new surface, see pool resurfacing.
Related services
We refer homeowners in Port St. Lucie, Tradition, St. Lucie West, Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City, and nearby neighborhoods.