Raypak
Raypak Digital Natural Gas Pool Heater, 199,000 BTU, Copper | 009216
Raypak Digital Natural Gas Pool Heater, 199,000 BTU, Copper | 009216
Raypak Digital P-R206A-EN-C #50 — 199,000 BTU Natural Gas Copper Heater
The P-R206A-EN-C is Raypak's standard Digital gas heater at the entry BTU tier — natural gas, copper heat exchanger, rated for installations at sea level up to 2,000 ft elevation. Copper is the standard, more affordable tube material; Raypak's cupro-nickel version costs more and is worth it primarily in high-chlorine, high-salt, or poor water-balance environments.
Quick Stats
- 199,000 BTU input
- Natural gas
- Copper heat exchanger (standard durability)
- Rated for 0–2,000 ft elevation — confirm your installation elevation before ordering
- Digital electronic ignition — no standing pilot, lower gas usage when not heating
- Microprocessor thermostat with on-board diagnostics
- Built-in bypass, handles up to 125 GPM water flow
How to Read a Raypak Digital Model Number
Raypak's naming looks cryptic but it's a direct spec sheet once you know the code: [Header]-R[BTU]A-[Ignition][Fuel]-[Material] #[Elevation].
- P or B = header type (Polymer on standard Digital models, Premium Bronze on Professional Series)
- E or M = ignition (E = Digital electronic ignition, this line; M = millivolt)
- N or P = fuel (N = Natural Gas, P = Propane)
- C or X = tube material (C = Copper, X = Cupro-Nickel)
- #50 / #51 / #52 (natural gas) = elevation rating: 0–2,000 ft / 2,000–6,000 ft / 6,000–9,000 ft. Propane models use #57 / #58 / #61 for the same elevation tiers.
Raypak Digital Heater Line Comparison (0–2,000 ft models shown)
| Model | BTU | Fuel | Material | Series | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-R206A-EN-C #50 (this model) | 199,000 | Natural Gas | Copper | Digital | $2,838 |
| P-R266A-EN-C #50 | 266,000 | Natural Gas | Copper | Digital | $3,179 |
| P-R336A-EN-C #50 | 332,000 | Natural Gas | Copper | Digital | $3,632 |
| P-R406A-EN-C #50 | 399,000 | Natural Gas | Copper | Digital | $4,200 |
| P-R206A-EP-C #57 | 199,000 | Propane | Copper | Digital | $2,838 |
| P-R266A-EP-C #57 | 266,000 | Propane | Copper | Digital | $3,179 |
| B-R268-EN-X #50 | 266,000 | Natural Gas | Cupro-Nickel | Professional | $6,089 |
| B-R408-EN-X #50 | 399,000 | Natural Gas | Cupro-Nickel | Professional | $7,130 |
Sizing Guidance
199,000 BTU is Raypak's entry tier — appropriate for smaller residential pools or where heat-up time isn't a priority. Larger pools, spas needing fast heat-up, or colder climates typically benefit from stepping up to 266,000 or higher. As a rough guide, more BTU means faster temperature recovery, not just a bigger pool capacity — even a modest pool benefits from a larger heater if you want to go from cold to swim-ready quickly.
Copper vs. Cupro-Nickel vs. Professional Series
Standard copper tubing is Raypak's proven, most economical option and is sufficient for the vast majority of installations. Cupro-nickel resists corrosion better in poor water chemistry or high-salt environments. The Professional Series (bronze headers, cupro-nickel standard) is Raypak's commercial-grade tier — higher cost, built for heavier duty cycles and demanding installations rather than typical residential use.
Install Note
Gas heater installation involves gas line sizing, venting, and electrical work that should be performed by a licensed professional per local code. Confirm your elevation, gas type, and required BTU with your installer before ordering.
