Freeze Protection for Pool Equipment

Applies to: Home pools with pumps, filters, heaters, heat pumps or automation in places that get freezing weather, from occasional cold snaps to long winters

Why freezing matters

Pentair explains that frozen pool water expands and needs a place to go, and that moving water is less likely to freeze. Hayward's Max-Flo manual says letting the pump freeze voids the warranty, and its heat pump manual says freeze damage isn't covered either.^[4][5][6]

Watch the forecast and make a plan

The National Weather Service issues a Freeze Watch when significant, widespread freezing is possible within 24 to 36 hours. It issues a Freeze Warning when temperatures are forecast to stay below 32°F for a long time.^[7]

Pentair suggests asking your pool professional what to do before freezing temperatures arrive, and having a plan for a winter storm or power outage.^[8][9]

What built-in freeze protection does and doesn't do

• Jandy's AquaLink RS quick card lists the default freeze protection as on for the filter pump and off for all other equipment. Check which of your equipment is actually covered.^[10]
• Jandy's SpeedSet guide says pump freeze protection is for short periods of freezing only. It does not guarantee against damage from long freezes or power outages, and Jandy says to shut down and winterize in those conditions.^[1]
• Jandy also notes that when the pump is in STOP mode, all functions, including freeze protect, are disabled.^[1]
• Pentair's IntelliFlo3 guide says Thermal Mode is meant to keep motor components from freezing. It should not be relied on alone for full system freeze protection.^[2]
• Some app-based freeze features depend on a connection. Pentair says its IntelliConnect system tracks your town's temperature through a weather app, and that if your wireless connection, the internet or the AccuWeather service is not working, the freeze protection feature will not work.^[9]

Keep water moving, or drain? It depends

For short freezes in mild climates, Pentair's advice leans toward keeping water moving. Check what your own equipment manual says. Pentair's IntelliFlo3 guide says that in mild climate areas, when temporary freezing may occur, to run filtering equipment through the night. Pentair also says you can enable freeze protection on a pool automation system for short freezes, and that without automation to keep equipment running until temperatures return to normal.^[2][8]

Pentair notes that setting a variable-speed pump to manual mode lets it keep running through a storm. Check your own pump's manual for how it handles this.^[9]

For long or hard freezes, the advice shifts to draining. Jandy says to shut down completely and winterize. Hayward's Max-Flo manual says to drain the pump and piping when freezing temperatures are expected. Jandy's gas heater manual says the pool should be winterized by a qualified technician where freezing occurs and the pool won't be used.^[1][5][11]

Above-ground pools

Bestway's manual warns that at around 32°F (0°C) or below the water can freeze. For its APX 365 pools, water left above the inlet and outlet may freeze inside and damage the liner. It also says to disconnect the filtration system and remove any ice very carefully. Other models and brands differ, so use your own manual.^[13]

If the power goes out

1. Put your family first. Pentair reminds owners that pool equipment is replaceable.^[4]
2. Turn off all breakers to the pool, so that when power returns you can check things in a controlled way (Pentair).^[4]
3. Don't count on freeze protection during an outage. Jandy says its feature doesn't guarantee against damage from power outages.^[1]
4. Contact your pool dealer to schedule a visit once the weather returns to normal (Pentair).^[4]

If equipment may have frozen

1. Don't turn the breakers back on to restart. Pentair says that could cause more harm before a pro has assessed the damage.^[3]
2. Look for damage or cracks, and if you see any, keep the pool off. Pentair notes that cracked frozen pipes won't leak until they thaw.^[4]
3. Document what you see with notes and photos. Pentair says plastic parts are the most likely to crack.^[3]
4. Don't try to fix broken equipment yourself (Pentair).^[3]
5. Don't drain the pool to deal with the problem. Pentair warns that fiberglass and in-ground vinyl liner pools should never be empty.^[3]