The Gas Installation Process for Pool and Spa Heaters & What to Expect

Picture this: You've just invested in a beautiful new pool heater, ready to extend your swimming season into those cooler months. But then reality hits – you need a gas line installation, and you have no idea what that entails. Will your backyard look like a construction zone? How long will the process take? What obstacles might you encounter?

If you're asking these questions, you're not alone. According to the experts at JMAX, they're being "hit left and right with tons of people and companies wanting quotes for new gas line installations" for pool and spa heaters. The good news? There's a systematic approach to gas installations that, while potentially disruptive, is designed to minimize headaches and deliver reliable results.

The Critical First Step: Pre-Site Assessment

Before any digging begins, professional gas installers conduct what's arguably the most important phase of the entire project – the pre-site assessment. This isn't just a quick walkthrough; it's a comprehensive evaluation that determines everything from pricing to potential complications.

Every backyard is different. Every scenario is different. So step one, we're going to do a pre-site.

— Justin, Pool Chasers Podcast

During this assessment, technicians are looking for several key factors:

• Gas source identification: Confirming whether the property has natural gas or requires propane installation
• Distance measurements: Calculating the exact distance between the gas source and heater location for proper line sizing
• Obstacle mapping: Identifying concrete driveways, landscaping, sprinkler systems, and other underground utilities that may complicate installation
• Access evaluation: Determining whether small machinery (requiring 39-inch access) can be used or if hand digging will be necessary

The pre-site assessment also involves taking aerial photos and detailed measurements. This thorough approach helps avoid surprises later and ensures accurate pricing from the start.

Permitting and Planning: The Behind-the-Scenes Work

Once the assessment is complete and the project is approved, the real technical work begins – but it's happening behind the scenes. The installation team creates detailed plans using specialized software like SketchUp, showing exactly where the gas line will run and how it will connect to existing systems.

These plans must be submitted to local authorities for permits, and here's where patience becomes essential. Permit approval times vary dramatically by location:

• Fastest approval: 7 days
• Longest approval: Up to 38 working days (notably in Mesa)
• Most common timeframe: 2-3 weeks

One crucial consideration during the planning phase is identifying any additional gas appliances you might want in the future. Want to add a barbecue, fire pit, or outdoor kitchen down the line? This is the time to include those in the permit.

We always make sure that whatever they want on the gas service gets captured right when we're doing the permit. Cause if they all of a sudden realize, you know what, you got the trench open, give me a stub for a barbecue and we've already permitted it. We're dead.

— Justin, Pool Chasers Podcast

The Installation Reality: What to Expect in Your Backyard

Here's where many homeowners experience sticker shock – not from the price, but from the scope of excavation required. Gas lines for pool heaters must be installed 20 inches deep, significantly deeper than most other utilities in your yard.

People are shocked after they see the install. It looks really messy, especially when you're crossing through something that's landscaped.

— Justin, Pool Chasers Podcast

The installation process involves several steps:

Excavation: Creating trenches that can run 80-200 feet long and 20 inches deep. This depth means the gas line will intersect with virtually every other utility in your yard – sprinkler lines, low-voltage lighting, cable lines, and more.

Pipe Installation: Most installations use polyethylene piping for underground runs, though attic installations with metallic steel are possible when backyard access is impossible.

Pressure Testing: Lines are pressurized to 15 PSI (exceeding the city requirement of 10 PSI) to ensure integrity before inspection.

The good news about the temporary chaos? The timeline for having an open trench is relatively short.

The inspection happens the day after the install is complete in 90% of the cases... I always tell clients 24 to 48 hours that it's from when we install it to when it's inspected.

— Justin, Pool Chasers Podcast

Heater Sizing and Technical Requirements

For most residential pool and spa installations, the industry standard is a 400,000 BTU heater, even for spa-only installations. While a smaller 250,000 BTU unit might technically suffice for a spa, the 400,000 BTU unit provides the heating speed that most customers expect.

For larger or commercial installations, specialized software calculates the exact BTU requirements based on:

• Lowest expected air temperature during heater use
• Desired water temperature
• Pool surface area
• Required heat rise and maintenance

Technical requirements also include specific safety components that inspectors will verify:

• Proper electrical connections with GFCI breakers
• Appropriate bonding for electrical safety
• TMP (Temperature and Pressure) relief valves rated at 50 PSI
• Sediment traps at the gas connection point
• Proper drainage with downpipes within six inches of grade

Inspection, Cleanup, and Final Activation

The inspection process involves two separate visits from city inspectors. The first inspection occurs while the gas line is still exposed and under pressure, allowing the inspector to verify proper installation and pressure testing. Once approved, the installation team returns to backfill trenches, restore landscaping, and clean up the work area.

The second inspection is the final approval, after which the installer receives a "utility clearance." This clearance is essential because it authorizes the gas company to make the final connection to your meter.

Here's an important detail many homeowners don't realize: you must make the final call to your gas provider yourself. The installation company cannot contact the utility on your behalf due to account privacy regulations. For natural gas, you'll call your local provider (like Southwest Gas). For propane installations, you'll need to establish an account with a propane delivery service.

The startup process involves several technical steps:

• Opening the gas valve (heaters ship with valves in the off position)
• Bleeding air from the system through union connections
• Running initial ignition and heating cycles
• Verifying proper gas pressure (10-14 inches static water column)
• Confirming minimal pressure drop during operation

Professional Integration and Collaboration

One often-overlooked aspect of gas line installation is how it integrates with other pool professionals. Many pool service companies and builders prefer to handle the pool equipment installation themselves while outsourcing the specialized gas line work.

This collaborative approach makes sense because gas line installation requires specific licensing, specialized equipment, and expertise in local permitting processes. Meanwhile, pool professionals bring their own expertise in equipment selection, plumbing integration, and system automation.

Whether you're working with a pool builder, service company, or handling the project directly, clear communication about responsibilities and timing is essential. The heater must be positioned before gas line installation can be completed, and all electrical work should be finished before the final inspection.

Conclusion: Planning for Success

Gas line installation for pool and spa heaters is more complex than many homeowners initially realize, involving extensive excavation, multiple inspections, and coordination with various professionals and utility companies. However, understanding the process helps set realistic expectations and ensures smoother project execution.

Key success factors include thorough upfront planning, realistic timeline expectations, and clear communication about the temporary disruption to your outdoor space. While the process may seem daunting, the result – reliable pool heating that extends your swimming season – makes the temporary inconvenience worthwhile.

Remember that professional installation isn't just about convenience; it's about safety, code compliance, and system reliability. Gas systems require expertise in pressure calculations, safety protocols, and local regulations that only licensed professionals should handle.

By understanding what to expect and working with experienced installers, you can navigate the gas installation process successfully and start enjoying your heated pool or spa with confidence in the safety and reliability of your new system.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Gas Installation Process
• 02:30 Pre-Site Assessment and Planning
• 08:45 Permitting and Plan Submission
• 12:20 Installation Process and Excavation
• 18:10 Heater Requirements and Technical Specs
• 23:40 Inspection and Final Activation
• 28:15 Professional Collaboration and Integration