Raypak 266K Review: The Value Gas Pool Heater
A Raypak 266,000 BTU digital natural gas pool heater review covering electronic ignition, the polymer cabinet, installation requirements and how it compares with Hayward's H-Series.
Electronic ignition, a case that does not hold residual heat, and a price that undercuts the obvious competitor.
The verdict: The Raypak 266,000 BTU digital heater delivers output in the same class as Hayward's H250 for around eight hundred dollars less, with intermittent spark ignition so the pilot only lights when heat is called for. Buy it if you want a mid sized gas heater and value matters. Skip it if you are already committed to a single brand equipment pad and want everything on one controller, because integration is easier within a family.
Raypak 266,000 BTU Digital Electronic Ignition Natural Gas Pool Heater
~$3,179
A 266,000 BTU natural gas pool and spa heater with digital controls and intermittent spark ignition, in a cabinet material that does not retain residual heat after shutdown.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Output | 266,000 BTU natural gas |
|---|---|
| Ignition | Intermittent spark ignition, pilot lights only on a call for heat |
| Cabinet | Material that does not retain residual heat, so no metal heat sinks are needed at installation |
| Model | P-R266A-EN-C, part number 009217 |
| Use | Swimming pools and spas |
| Elevation | Separate models available for higher elevation installations |
Specifications above come from Raypak's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Intermittent spark ignition means no standing pilot burning gas continuously between heating cycles, which is a real running cost difference over a season.
- The cabinet does not hold residual heat after shutdown, which removes the need for costly metal heat sinks at installation and gives more freedom on clearances.
- It undercuts the equivalent Hayward by several hundred dollars for comparable output.
- Raypak is a long established pool heater brand, so parts and service knowledge are widely available.
Where it falls short
- Gas remains the most expensive way to heat a pool per degree, and this heater is no exception.
- Elevation matters. There are separate models for higher elevations, and buying the wrong one produces combustion problems rather than a simple performance shortfall.
- Installation is licensed gas and electrical work with a permit, and gas supply sizing is the usual failure point.
- Like every gas heater, it is unforgiving of unbalanced water, which attacks the heat exchanger from the inside.
What owners report
Published owner reports describe reliable heating and good value, with the electronic ignition mentioned favourably against older standing pilot designs. Service accessibility gets positive comment, which matters over a heater's life more than initial specification does.
The failure reports that recur point at two causes: installation, particularly gas supply and venting, and water chemistry. Neither is unique to Raypak. The elevation model question also appears occasionally, which is a reminder to confirm the correct variant for your altitude before ordering.
Who it suits
- Typical residential inground pools wanting on demand heat.
- Buyers comparing on value rather than brand family.
- Anyone replacing an old standing pilot heater, where the ignition change alone saves gas.
Who should skip it
- Owners committed to a single brand automation system that expects that brand's heater.
- Anyone at elevation who has not checked which model variant they need.
- Households whose main concern is running cost, where a heat pump wins clearly.
Alternatives worth considering
Hayward H-Series Natural Gas Pool Heater for Inground Pools, 250,000 BTU
~$3,999
Similar output, eight hundred dollars more, and the obvious choice if the rest of your equipment pad is Hayward and you want everything on one control system.
Check price on AmazonAQUASTRONG Swimming Pool Heat Pump, heating and cooling
~$2,484
Seven hundred dollars less to buy and a fraction of the running cost, at the cost of slow heating and reduced output in cold air. A genuinely different approach to the same problem.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Heat pump vs solar pool heater
- Heater size calculator
- Hayward H250 review
- DR. Infrared heat pump review
- Pool cost calculator
- Pool water temperature
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Raypak or Hayward for a gas pool heater?
Both are long established and both heat well. Raypak generally costs less for comparable output; Hayward integrates more neatly if your pad and automation are already Hayward. If you have no brand commitment, the price difference is real money.
What does intermittent spark ignition change?
Older heaters kept a standing pilot alight continuously, burning gas even when no heat was needed. Intermittent spark lights the pilot only when the thermostat calls for heat. Over a season that is a measurable saving and it is why nearly every current heater uses it.
Do I need a different model at altitude?
Raypak publishes separate models for higher elevation ranges because air density affects combustion. Installing a sea level heater at elevation causes combustion problems rather than a simple loss of output. Confirm your elevation band before ordering.
What size heater does my pool need?
Size from surface area, desired temperature rise and exposure, not from pool volume alone, because most heat is lost at the surface. Our heater size calculator does the arithmetic, and a cover reduces the required output substantially.
Can a pool heater be installed indoors or in an enclosure?
Only with proper venting and combustion air, which is a design question for a licensed gas fitter. This is the part of a pool heater installation where mistakes cause carbon monoxide rather than inconvenience, and it is not a place for improvisation.
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