5 Stupid Mistakes I Made with Ice Makers and Pool Heaters (And How to Avoid Them)

When I first started handling equipment orders for a mid-sized property management firm, I thought I had it all figured out. I figured a chiller is a chiller, a heater is a heater, and the cheapest quote was always the smartest move. Six years, a few thousand dollars in mistakes, and one very embarrassing meeting with the CFO later, I can tell you I was way off. This isn't some theoretical guide. This is me explaining the five biggest screw-ups I've made with ice makers, pool heaters, and air heaters, and exactly how to dodge them. I've personally made (and documented) about nine significant errors, totaling roughly $4,200 in wasted budget. I now maintain our team's pre-purchase checklist to prevent others from doing the same dumb stuff I did.

1. The Ice Maker Machine: Why I Ended Up with a $600 Paperweight

The problem: Assuming 'standard' size means the same thing to every manufacturer.

What I did: In my first year (2017), I needed a new ice maker machine for a small breakroom. I saw a great deal online, measured the space quickly, and ordered it. It showed up a week later, and it was about an inch too wide and three inches too tall for the under-counter space. It looked like it would fit on the spec sheet, but the spec sheet measured width without the door handle and height without the feet. It was a complete rookie mistake.

The consequence: Shipping the thing back cost me $90. The restocking fee was 15%, or $75. Total wasted time and cash: about $165, plus a week of my boss asking, "Where's the ice machine?" Also, I looked like a total idiot. I now keep a physical measuring tape at my desk.

2. Pool Heater Sizing: The 'Bigger is Better' Trap

The problem: Overestimating BTU needs because I didn't account for wind chill or a pool cover.

My pool heater disaster: A client with a large hotel wanted a new pool heater. I was super keen to impress them, so I overspecced the unit. I figured a massive Dimplex heat pump (well, a big heater, we use Dimplex for a lot of the smaller stuff) would be a no-brainer. It was way more expensive than what they needed. The quote came back, and they went with a competitor because my proposal was too high. I lost the deal because I was trying to be "safe" by going big. I didn't even consider asking about a thermal pool cover, which would have halved the required BTU output.

What I learned: You don't need a monster truck to drive to the grocery store. A properly sized pool heater will cost less upfront, run more efficiently, and heat the pool faster than an oversized one that short-cycles. I should have asked about the pool cover—or lack thereof—first.

3. Heat Pump Water Heater vs. Tankless: The Wrong Fight

The problem: Comparing apples to oranges without thinking about the 'whole system'.

People ask me all the time about the heat pump water heater vs tankless debate. I used to have a strong opinion, thinking one was always better. My initial approach was completely wrong. I thought the lowest purchase price (tankless often wins on that) was the line everyone cared about. Then I got into a project where the client installed a tankless unit, and the gas line wasn't big enough. That cost them an extra $1,200 in retrofitting. I'd never even mentioned the gas line to them because I was too focused on the unit price.

My take now: A heat pump water heater is more efficient in a moderate climate, but it's more expensive to buy and needs more space. A tankless unit is smaller and provides endless hot water, but the installation can be a deal-breaker if your electrical panel or gas line isn't up to spec. There's no single winner. The winner depends on your existing infrastructure and your budget for the whole job, not just the box.

4. Dimplex Wall Insert Fan Heater: The 'Quick Fix' That Wasn't Quick

The problem: Not checking the electrical circuit before buying.

I needed a Dimplex wall insert fan heater for a small office extension. I'd used the Dimplex brand before for their oil-filled radiators, and they were super reliable. So I bought the fan heater without a second thought. It looked simple enough. When the electrician came to install it, he said, "Where's the dedicated circuit?" I hadn't thought of that. The existing circuit already powered two computers, a monitor, and a mini-fridge. Adding a 1500W heater would have tripped the breaker every 10 minutes. We had to run a new line from the panel. That $150 heater turned into a $450 job because of the extra electrical work.

The lesson: For any fixed heater—be it a wall insert, a panel heater, or a baseboard—the electrical requirements are the first thing to check, not the last. The cost of the heater is almost never the final cost.

5. The Dimplex Air Heater Fireplace: What I Forgot About Airflow

The problem: Blocked intake and outtake vents.

This one was just plain stupid. I ordered a Dimplex air heater fireplace for a lobby. It looks great, a real modern electric fireplace. I installed it myself (bad idea) into a custom mantle. I was so focused on making it look flush and perfect that I didn't leave enough clearance around the intake vents I'd thought the 'insert' style meant it didn't need much circulation around it.

The consequence: The unit ran for about 20 minutes before its thermal safety switch cut it off. The room was cold, and the heater kept shutting down. I called tech support, feeling like an idiot, and they asked, "Is there at least 4 inches of clearance at the front intake?" Nope. I had to pull the whole thing out, cut the mantle, and reinstall it. The job took an extra day and a half. I lost face with the client, and it cost me about $300 in my time and materials.

So, before you buy any Dimplex air heater fireplace (or any heater, really), check the manual for minimum clearances. I'm not an HVAC engineer, so I can't speak to the thermodynamics. But from a "stopping it from catching fire or shutting down every five minutes" perspective, airflow is king.