Hot Tubs, Spas, Portable Spas, Swim Spas for Sale Hot Tubs, Spas, Portable Spas, Swim Spas for Sale Calspas hot tub being used in a family setting

HEAT

Heat problems

Spa water does not get hot

Possible causes can include:

  • Spa may be in Economy Mode
  • Set the spa to Standard Mode. Follow directions in owner's manual.
  • The filter may be dirty or may need to be replaced. A dirty or clogged filter will restrict water flow and shut down the heater.
  • Clean or replace the filter to re-establish water flow. Follow directions in owner's manual.
  • The water level may be too low. If this is the case, it can shut down the heater.
  • Fill the spa with water level at 4 to 6 inches from the top.
  • The temperature is not turned up high enough.
  • Raise temperature on topside control. Follow directions in owner's manual.
  • The spa has been left uncovered. The cover will keep heat in the spa and help keep heat from escaping.
  • Cover the spa. Make sure cover is on at all times when spa is not in use. See owner's manual for cover info.
  • The heater element may be old, deteriorated, or coated with scale.
  • If scale has deposited on the heater element, heat will not transfer to the water properly. If this is the case, the element or heater will have to be replaced. Contact your dealer for more assistance.
  • If power to the spa was shut off, the temperature may have reset after the power was restored. The automatic default for temperature is 100°F. If power goes off and then comes back on, the spa may reset to factory default temperature of 100°F.
  • Raise the temperature on the control panel.
  • If the HL or HFL message appears on the control panel, the pressure may be defective. This will shut down the heater. Call your dealer or Cal Spas customer service.
  • A heating mode may not be selected.
  • See control panel instructions in your owner's manual.
  • The gate valves may be partially or completely closed.
  • Make sure the gate valves are completely opened. NEVER OPERATE YOUR SPA WITH THE GATE VALVES CLOSED!
  • The heater may be defective
  • Contact your dealer for assistance

Spa water does not get hot

When this occurs, a message code may also appear on the control panel. Depending on the problem, the message code may be OH, OHS, HH, or OHH. Note that overheating can occur during summer months and may not necessarily indicate a malfunction.
Possible causes can include:

  • Spa may be in Economy Mode
  • Temperature is set too high
  • Turn the set temperature down to a lower temperature. (Refer to your owner's manual for instructions on how to do this.)
  • Filtration time is too long
  • Turn the filtration cycles down during the warm months.
  • If the filtration time is set too long, the equipment area gets hot. During warm months, running the filter cycle for extended lengths of time can cause “heat creep” where heat transfers to the water from the equipment area heating up.
  • Cabinet is not adequately ventilated
  • Make sure the cabinet ventilation is unobstructed.
    If there is debris: remove it and make sure the air flow around the cabinet is open.
  • Heat buildup from equipment needs to be vented, if there are obstructions to the ventilation or not enough venting, this can also create “heat creep”.
  • High speed pumps have been running too long
  • Limit pump running time to no more than 15 to 30 minutes.
  • When high speed pumps run too long, they generate heat from the motor. Over time, this can overheat the water.