Brentwood, CA · East Contra Costa
Pool Heater & Heat Pump Repair in Brentwood, CA
A pool heater that won't fire, shuts off, or shows an error code is usually one failed part: an igniter, a sensor, a switch, or not enough water flowing through it. This page covers gas pool and spa heaters and pool heat pumps, not household water heaters.
Repairs & equipment, not weekly cleaning · No obligation
What your pool heater is doing
Clicks but won't ignite
Igniter, gas valve, flame sensor, or gas supply.
Fires, then shuts off
A flow, pressure, or high-limit switch cutting it out, often from low flow.
Shows an error code
The code usually names the circuit. Write it down or take a photo.
Heat pump runs but pool stays cold
Refrigerant, airflow, a dirty coil, or cold nights beyond what it can keep up with.
Rusted, leaking, or sooty
Heat exchanger corrosion, often from low pH. Can be dangerous: stop using it.
Rodent nests or chewed wires
Common in outdoor heaters that sit unused over winter.
Gas pool heater or heat pump?
| Gas pool heater | Pool heat pump | |
|---|---|---|
| How it heats | Burns natural gas or propane | Moves heat from the outside air, like an air conditioner in reverse |
| Best at | Fast heating, spas, cool evenings | Holding temperature through the swim season at lower running cost |
| Common failures | Igniter, flame sensor, pressure switch, gas valve, corroded heat exchanger | Fan, coil, refrigerant leaks, sensors, control board |
| Running cost | Higher per hour | Lower per hour when air temperatures are mild |
Many pools in Brentwood, Oakley, and Antioch have a gas heater that mainly runs in spring and fall, plus an attached spa. Heat pumps work well through most of the local season but slow down on cold nights.
Check these before you call
- Is the pump running, and is the filter clean? Most pool heaters won't fire without enough water flow.
- Is the heater turned on at the automation panel or timer, and is it set above the water temperature?
- Is the gas on (for gas heaters), and are other gas appliances working?
- Is there an error code? Take a photo of it and of the heater's label.
Smell gas? Stop.
If you smell gas near the heater, don't try to relight it. Leave the area and call PG&E or 911 from a safe distance. Gas and electrical repairs on a pool heater are for a qualified, licensed professional.
What pool heater repair usually costs
Angi puts pool heater repair at roughly $166–$799 depending on the heater type and the problem, with gas valves, igniters, and sensors among the common parts. Replacing the heater costs about $1,600–$5,200 installed, including heat pumps at about $2,000–$6,000 (Angi and HomeGuide, 2026).
National ranges, not a quote; Bay Area jobs often land in the upper half. Full breakdown: pool repair costs in Brentwood.
Repair or replace the pool heater?
Replacing an igniter, sensor, or switch on a heater that is otherwise in good shape is usually worth it. A cracked or badly corroded heat exchanger on an older heater, or repeated repairs in the same season, is where replacement starts to make sense. HomeGuide puts typical pool heater lifespans at about 10–12 years, shorter for gas heaters. More on the decision: repair or replace pool equipment.
Get it looked at before the season
Searches for pool heater repair peak in May, which is also when repair calendars fill up. A pool heater that was shut off over winter is worth test-firing in March or April, when there's still time to fix it before the first warm weekend. If the heater problem turns out to be a flow problem, see pool pump repair or pool equipment repair.
Check any contractor, including one you find here
- Ask for the contractor's CSLB license number and look it up at cslb.ca.gov. Swimming pool contractors are generally licensed under the C-53 classification.
- Get the quote in writing, with the parts and the make and model of any new equipment.
- Don't pay large sums up front.
- For gas or electrical work on a pool heater or light, make sure the person doing it is qualified for that work.
This site is a free referral service, not a contractor. Your request goes to an independent local pool contractor, who gives the quote and does the work. How this works
Pool Heater Repair: common questions
Can a pool heater be repaired?
Usually. Igniters, flame sensors, pressure and flow switches, and control boards are common repairs. A cracked or heavily corroded heat exchanger on an older heater often makes replacement the better choice.
Why won't my pool heater turn on?
The most common causes are low water flow (pump off or filter dirty), the heater not being called for by the timer or automation, no gas supply, or a failed igniter or safety switch. An error code usually points to which one.
Can an electrician fix a pool heater?
An electrician can handle the electrical supply, but pool heater repair also involves gas, combustion, and water-flow components. Pool heaters are usually serviced by pool equipment technicians. Ask any contractor for their license and verify it at cslb.ca.gov.
How long does a pool heater last?
HomeGuide puts the typical range at about 10–12 years, with gas pool heaters often shorter and heat pumps sometimes longer. Water chemistry matters: low pH corrodes heat exchangers.
Related pool repairs
Pool Equipment Repair
Not sure what's broken on the pad? Valves, timers, automation, salt cells, plumbing, and full pad upgrades.
Pool Pump Repair
Humming, screeching, leaking, or won't prime. Repair the motor or seal, or replace with a variable-speed pump.
Pool Filter Repair
High pressure, cloudy or green water, DE in the pool, or a leaking tank. Repair or replace DE, cartridge, and sand filters.
Talk to a local pool pro
Pool down, leaking, or won't heat?
Call now or send a 30-second request. You'll be connected with an independent local pool contractor for a quote.