Interpretation #7338
Published June 22, 2014
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2010
- Code
- BUILDING
- Code Description
- Building
- Chapter
- 13
- Section
- 403.9.2
- Topic
- Time Switch Requirement
Question
Is it the intent of The 2010 Energy Conservation Code section 403.9.2 to require that a separate time switch be provided for a swimming pool heater comparable to the time switch provided for the pool pump which can be set to turn on and off at a certain time?
Answer Published 06/22/2014 at 4:05 PM
No. Section 403.9.2 does not mandate the use of a single
time switch for both the heater(s) and pump(s), nor does
the section indicate separate time switches are required.
This would be a design consideration.
time switch for both the heater(s) and pump(s), nor does
the section indicate separate time switches are required.
This would be a design consideration.
Commentary
If pumps are not switched and run 24 hours, the required
time switch would need to be associated with the
heater only (there is no exception for the heater switch;
Exception 1 applies to the pump only).
This exception aside, there is no specific verbiage
indicating that separate switches need to be provided
for the pump and the heater. Nor is there verbiage
requiring that the pump and heater be controlled
independently.
The Code is silent on the issue of two independent
controls. As a practical matter, pools serving multifamily
residential buildings must filter (pump) 24/7. The one
required timeswitch is then relegated to heater duty. In a
single family home, heater utilization will vary according
to the season, weather, time of year, and time of day. No
timeswitch can be programmed to fulfill all these needs.
The power or gas bill will motivate the resident to turn
the heater off and to use sparingly.