By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,I had a spa installed recently outside my home. Ever since there are times when I cook that the spa heater will turn on at the patio, and suddenly the flames will become much smaller at the kitchen range burners. Do you know what could be causing this problem? --Clyde
Dear Clyde,
Is it possible that someone other than a licensed plumber or spa technician installed your spa heater? If so, you're in abundant company. At least half of all back yard spas were set up without the benefit of professional knowledge and expertise, the results of which are an assortment of functional and safety problem. Amateur spa installations may be acceptable with self-contained, all-electric systems, where all that's needed is to plug in the power cord. But when unqualified people install gas piping and gas burning fixtures, code violations and other unsafe conditions typically ensue.
The problem you describe with your oven burner indicates that the total BTU demand in your home may exceed the capacity of your gas meter. Most residential gas meters are designed to deliver between 175 and 250 cubic feet of natural gas per hour. This capacity is based upon the average fuel demand for most homes, assuming the presence of a range, oven, water heater, and furnace. When a spa heater is added to the equation, the excess demand may require that a meter of higher capacity be installed.
I recommend that you contact the Gas Company to ensure that your meter is sufficient for its assigned tasks. And if your spa heater was not professionally installed, I strongly advise that you have the system reviewed by a qualified technician.
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