HFL
Caldera Spas Heater Flow Low / Heater High-Limit Trip Due to Low Flow

Display shows “HFL”; spa may shut down heating intermittently.

Advertisements

Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

Advertisements

Possible Causes

Partially clogged filter, Weak circulation pump, Partially blocked heater manifold, Air pockets in plumbing

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off power at the GFCI breaker.

  • Clean filter thoroughly: Remove the Caldera filter cartridge and soak it in a filter cleaner solution if heavily soiled. Rinse well before reinstalling.
  • Test without filter: Run the spa briefly without the filter to see if the HFL code disappears, indicating a flow restriction at the filter.
  • Bleed air from system: Loosen unions at the pump and heater to release trapped air, then retighten.
  • Inspect circulation pump: Check that the E5 circulation pump runs smoothly and quietly. A noisy or hot pump may be failing and not providing adequate flow.
  • Check for plumbing obstructions: Look for kinks in flexible hoses or partially closed slice valves near the pump and heater.

If HFL continues after these steps, have a technician evaluate the circulation pump performance and heater manifold for internal restrictions.

Advertisements

Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

E5 Circulation Pump
Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Advertisements