Heater element
Elements wear out with age and scale. A failing element can also trip the RCD.
Signs: the pump runs and the water moves, but it never gets warmer.
Hot tub not heating?
It isn’t always the heater. A blocked filter, a sticking flow switch, a failing sensor or a tired pump can all leave you with a cold tub. We test each part in turn, so you only pay for the part that has actually failed.
- call-out, including the first hour
- £75
- an hour after that
- £35
- extra, priced once we’ve found the fault
- Parts
We’re based in Camborne, covering Mid and West Cornwall, from Bodmin and Newquay to Penzance and everywhere in between.
- Working on hot tubs since 2002
- Hot Spring factory-trained in California
- EAL and City & Guilds electrical qualifications
- Pool Plant Operator (PPO) qualified
- 12-month guarantee on our work
- £2 million public liability insurance
Before you call
Check these first
Most of these take a few minutes and need no tools. Switch off at the isolator before you take a filter out.
Worth checking
See 6 things worth checking
- Check the set temperature, and whether the tub is in an economy, rest or sleep mode. In those modes, many tubs only heat during filter cycles.
- Take the filters out and rinse them. A blocked filter cuts the flow through the heater, and most tubs won’t heat without enough flow.
- Make sure the water is above the skimmer opening, the intake on the side wall. If it’s too low, the pump draws in air.
- Open any closed jets and diverter valves, so the water can move freely.
- Just refilled it? Trapped air, known as an airlock, can stop the water circulating. Your manual shows how to clear it on your model.
- Write down any code on the panel exactly as it shows.
Best avoided
See 5 things to avoid
- Don’t run the tub with the filters taken out.
- Don’t keep resetting the tub to clear a flow or heater code. The code is there to protect the heater.
- Don’t get in if the panel says the water is too hot, with a code such as OH or HL. Take the cover off and let it cool.
- Don’t open the control box or take the cover off the heater.
- In freezing weather, don’t switch it off and leave it full. Keep the cover on and ring us.
Still cold? Tell the troubleshooter what the display says. It’ll walk you through the safe checks.
Ask the troubleshooterLikely causes
Why a hot tub stops heating
These are the faults we find most often. Some are quick to put right; others, such as a control board, cost more. We won’t know which until we’ve tested it.
Temperature sensor or high-limit
If a sensor reads wrongly, the control pack can switch the heater off too early, or not switch it on at all.
Signs: the display doesn’t match the water, or a sensor or high-limit code.
Flow or pressure switch
The heater only runs when the pack can see water flowing. A sticking or failed switch stops it, even when the flow is fine.
Signs: a flow code with clean filters and plenty of water.
Circulation pump
The pump that moves water through the heater can slow down, seize or stop. On some tubs, it’s the main pump on low speed.
Signs: a hum or silence from the pump, weak flow, flow codes.
See 3 more causes
Blocked filter or airlock
Restricted flow is a common cause, and one you can often clear yourself.
Signs: it started after a refill, or the filters are overdue a clean.
Control board
A relay on the board can stop switching the heater on, or a fuse on the board can blow.
Signs: everything else works, but the heater never comes on.
Heat loss
If it heats but can’t hold the temperature, look at the cover first, then the insulation in the cabinet.
Signs: warm in the evening, noticeably cooler by morning.
Error codes
Codes that point to a heating fault
Flow, overheat and sensor codes are the usual signs. The names vary between control systems, so check your own in our guides.
| Code | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| FLO, FL, LF | A flow problem: the system can’t see enough water moving through the heater. | Clean the filters, check the water level and open the jets and valves. |
| dr | On Balboa systems: not enough water in the heater, or air in the system. The heater stays off until it clears. | Top up, clean the filters and clear any airlock. |
| OH, OHH, HL | Overheat or high limit: the water or the heater has got too hot, so the system has shut down. | Don’t get in. Take the cover off and let it cool. If it keeps coming back, ring us. |
| SN, Prr | A fault with a temperature sensor or probe. | This one needs an engineer. |
On the visit
How we find the fault
We work through the heating circuit in order, testing rather than guessing, so you don’t pay for parts you didn’t need.
See the 6 steps of a visit
- Check the basics: settings, filters, water level and any codes.
- Check the power reaching the heater, and test the element itself.
- Compare the sensor and high-limit readings with the real water temperature.
- Check the flow or pressure switch, and that the pump is moving enough water.
- Check the control board, its relays and its fuses.
- Tell you what has failed and what it will cost, then fit the part if you’re happy to go ahead.
If a part has to be ordered, we come back to fit it. Parts availability varies by make and model, and for some older or less common tubs, a part may no longer be made. If that’s the case, we’ll tell you straight away.
Google reviews
What past customers say
5.0
From 47 reviews on Google
“John is very friendly and knowledgeable.
He sorted out our hot tub which had stopped heating and had a leak, promptly and he is reasonably priced.
I will always call on John for any future problems. I can highly recommend him”
“Called Jon last minute as the hot tub stopped working and Jon messaged straight away to say he was on a job and would get back to us asap and he did, called this evening and was so so helpful!! Explained to my husband about things he can check himself and he was so honest to explain that it might be something we can fix before he comes out. If the problem can't be solved we will 100% call Jon out to help us, thanks Jon! This is what customer service should be like everywhere!”
“Jon an absolute legend, very friendly, came out diagnosed the issue went away ordered the part came back fixed it tested it fixed another problem that came up after testing again and all for a very reasonable price. Will use him again and again 🌟
Paul from porth / newquay”
Prices
What a heating repair costs
You pay for our time and any parts. There are no surprises: we tell you what’s needed before we fit anything.
- Call-out, including the first hour
- £75
- Each hour after that
- £35
- Parts
- Extra
- Heater elements, sensors and control boards vary a lot in price from one make to another, so we can only price a part once we’ve found the fault. Larger jobs are quoted first.
- We’re not VAT registered, so there’s no VAT to add.
- If your filter is past cleaning, we can supply a new one. It’s an extra, priced on the day.
FAQs
Not heating: your questions
Why is my hot tub not heating?
The usual causes are a blocked filter, low water or an airlock, which all stop the water flowing through the heater. If those are fine, it’s often the heater element, a sensor, the flow or pressure switch, the pump or the control board. We test each one to find which.
Should I leave it running while it’s not heating?
If the pumps are running and nothing is tripping, yes, with the cover on. Moving water is much less likely to freeze in a cold snap. If it shows a code for overheating or keeps tripping, switch it off at the isolator.
How long should it take to heat up after a refill?
A tub that has been refilled can take most of a day to come back up to temperature, depending on the tub, the weather and the cover. If it’s still cold after a few hours, the heater, a sensor or the pump needs testing.
It heats, but very slowly. Is that a fault?
It can be. A dirty filter, a weak pump or a failing element can all slow it down. Clean the filters first, and if it’s still slow, give us a ring.
My hot tub isn’t heating and it keeps tripping. Is that the same fault?
Often, yes. A heater element that has broken down can trip the RCD as soon as it switches on. Don’t keep resetting it. See our page on tripping the electrics.
Can you repair my make of hot tub?
We work on most makes, including Hot Spring, Hydropool, Canadian Spa, Jacuzzi, Arctic Spa, Caldera, Roto Spa and Beachcomber, and on Balboa, Gecko and SpaNet control systems. Parts availability varies by make, so tell us what you’ve got when you ring.
Hot tub still cold? Tell us what it’s doing.
Let us know the make, any code on the panel and how long it has been cold, and we’ll get back to you with a date.
If your tub is sunk into decking or the ground, or set against a wall, it helps to mention it when you book. If you’re not sure, a photo is fine.
Areas
Heater repairs across Cornwall
We’re based in Camborne, covering Mid and West Cornwall, from Bodmin and Newquay to Penzance and everywhere in between. Towns we cover include:
See the 18 towns we cover
Somewhere else in Cornwall? Just ask. Every area we cover