Solar Pool Heaters

[Macanude]

So many people mention pools in their posts that there must be some pool expertise around here.
Anybody care to make a recommendation on a solar heater for our pool? We live in north Texas, so the mid-summer heat is more than enough, but it would be nice to extend the season on either end.

[Macanude]

So many people mention pools in their posts that there must be some pool expertise around here.
Anybody care to make a recommendation on a solar heater for our pool? We live in north Texas, so the mid-summer heat is more than enough, but it would be nice to extend the season on either end.

[carbuff]

Hi Macanude, and welcome I see that you are a new member . I will follow this thread because I too have a pool and cant afforrd to heat it.It would be nice to extend the pool season I like warm water!

[Baron Lake]

Macanude, Solar pool heating is a well established technology. The type of collector whether high gain (expensive) or low gain (takes up lots of space) depends upon your budget, collector space/orientation and something called heating degree days for your local area. There are other considerations such as possible zoning restrictions, prevailing winds and landscaping as well. If there are other installations near you check with the owners for sure before you get a contractor involved.
BTW, If your summers are hot (like they are here in the San Joaquin Valley) you can run the system at night to cool the pool (with low gain panels).
Good luck
b.l.

[luvnaturism]

Cost is a major consideration for lots of pool owners. The lowest cost way to extend your pool season is by using a solar blanket that floats on top of the water. It has the added advantage of reducing the loss of pool chemicals. The most efficient kind has bubbles in it, much like you see is certain kinds of packing material. Depending on your sun exposure it may add up to 10° to the water temp.

You can buy the material at any pool supply store, though I'd recommend shopping around. You might even find it at one of the "big box" stores. You buy a rectangular piece that will cover your pool, and then trim it to fit with a pair of scissors.

[PascoDoug]

quote:

Originally posted by luvnaturism:
Cost is a major consideration for lots of pool owners. The lowest cost way to extend your pool season is by using a solar blanket that floats on top of the water. It has the added advantage of reducing the loss of pool chemicals. The most efficient kind has bubbles in it, much like you see is certain kinds of packing material. Depending on your sun exposure it may add up to 10° to the water temp.

You can buy the material at any pool supply store, though I'd recommend shopping around. You might even find it at one of the "big box" stores. You buy a rectangular piece that will cover your pool, and then trim it to fit with a pair of scissors.

I have often found excellent prices for swimming pool equipment & accessories on good ole Ebay. I have purchased a pool pump, solar blanket and a new liner there all for well below what I would have paid retail.

Incidentally, there are also solar heating kits on there for decent prices (which I am looking into myself, as I am sick of looking at my pool here in FLORIDA and not being able to swim in it during the winter!).

[Macanude]

A solar pool cover is a definite yes. I will check ebay, but I looked at at least 6 online vendors and these folks seem to have the best prices.
I checked with our local pool repair pro and he said he had heard some negative feedback about the solar heaters. After further questioning, it turned out that the negative report came from a man whose solar collectors were only half the recommended area.
This is a good place to visit to explain the technology.

This guy is supposed to be the acknowledged master of solar tech.

Keep the comments coming. We can afford to do this, but we have to decide if this is where we want to spend the money, and we can't afford to throw money away.

[Macanude]

Apparently, web links don't work in the normal manner here. I posted two links.
Top one was powermat.com and the second one was ecs-solar.com.

[Naturist Mark]

quote:

Originally posted by Macanude:
Apparently, web links don't work in the normal manner here. I posted two links.
Top one was powermat.com and the second one was ecs-solar.com.

My neighbor used this system from Canada back in the 80s - it works great and is designed for do-it-yourself installation. Enersol, here's one dealer you can buy Enersol packages from: The Free Energy Store

-Mark

[Macanude]

We finally installed Hi-deluxe solar heaters from pool-spa-products.com.
There was no building near enough to put it on the roof, so we built a low platform from c-purlin and cattle panel.
It puts out very hot water. I hired out all the installation and with six panels, parts and labor, the total was around $2700

[Sailrich]

quote:

Originally posted by car/buff:
Hi Macanude, and welcome I see that you are a new member . I will follow this thread because I too have a pool and cant afforrd to heat it.It would be nice to extend the pool season I like warm water!

Hi, I have an above groung pool, and found that PVC pipe about 4" dia running along the top of my backyard fence does the trick, Using to pool filter pump and a timer. Cost only for pipe about $50.00 + glue if interested I can send photos and more details to any interested.