Connected pool and spa heater system

A connected heating system for a swimming pool, comprising

• a heater having a housing, a first inflow port in fluid communication with the housing, a first outflow port in fluid communication, a heater control board disposed inside the housing, an ignition control module electrically connected to the heater control board and disposed inside the housing, a burner disposed inside the housing, and a blower motor disposed inside the housing;
• a controller that monitors a temperature of water flowing between the inflow port and the outflow port of the heater;
• a heater bypass coupled between the first inflow port and the first outflow port;
• and
• a valve that controls flow of water received from a pool into the first inflow port and the heater bypass based on an operating state identified by the controller,
• wherein, responsive to the controller identifying the operating state, the controller is configured to transmit control signals that direct actuation of the valve to achieve the operating state, and wherein the heater is configured to engage a heating mode to heat portions of the water from the pool that flow between the first inflow port and the first outflow port by activating the blower motor and directing the ignition control module to ignite the burner.

A method of operating a heater, comprising:

• monitoring a temperature of water flowing between an inflow port and an outflow port of the heater via a controller and a sensor in communication with the controller;
• engaging a heating mode of the heater to heat the water flowing between the inflow port and the outflow port via a heater control board of the heater when the controller determines that the temperature of the water is below a first preconfigured temperature threshold;
• sending a first control signal to actuate a valve into a fully open state where the valve enables the water to flow freely into the first-inflow port by blocking flow into a heater bypass when the heating mode is engaged;
• disengaging the heating mode of the heater when the controller determines that the temperature of the water is above a second preconfigured temperature threshold;
• and
• sending a second control signal to actuate the valve into an intermediate state where the valve attenuates flow of the water into the inflow port by directing the water to flow into both the heater bypass and the first inflow port when the heating mode is disengaged.