Solar pool systems... which is best?

15 years ago

Installing a 38x15 sports pool with a 400btu Master to bump up the temp in spring and fall. Want to add a solar system to keep the chill off. There are so many systems out there, which one is good-best?

Does anyone have recomendations good or bad??

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Comments (6)

poolguynj
15 years ago
That is a good question for your builder. The best one for you is one he'll support.

You might want to add a solar blanket on a reel too. The help keep the heat in at night and when the pool is not being used. The also help keep the chlorine from dissipating.
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tommyw
15 years ago
Before incurring the expense of a solar system, try using the solar blanket. You my find that it is all you need.
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The company that did the installation here in Columbia SC was Tablerock Technologies; they are located in upstate SC. See link below. Tone Nichols is the owner and installer. Just yesterday we got power to the pool equipment and Tone came down to set up the heating system. It is amazingly simple: a thermostat with a sensor drilled into the outake pipe and attached to a valve that diverts water to the panels on top of the roof. You can watch it turn. It also has cooling capacity, which essentially means running it at night when tempeartures outside drop. She advised that I would not need this but if we found it too warm in August she would come down and set it up. It will take a few days to get the pool all balanced and clean, and warm, and I've paid my last bill for heating it. Here is a link that might be useful: Tablerock Technologies
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Solar Water Heating is the way to go. You could use it for heating the house in the winter and heating the pool in the summer. Solar water heating could connect into your existing forced air system. It would still need oil as a backup system in case you have a stretch of bad weather, but can reduce your heat bills by 50%. It could then be redirected to heat your pool in the summer. Year round it would be able to heat your domestic hot water as well, saving you a ton of money. Having a pool for a place to send the extra heat in the summer makes you a great candidate for either a pressurized system or a drainback. It would all depend on which type the installer you select is comfortable installing, I have found people tend to have a favorite, although both are great. You can see more about it at the Alternative Energy Store (full disclosure, I work there). We do primarily just domestic hot water, but can give you some ideas for space heating as well. Here is a link that might be useful: Alternative Energy Store
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6700? INSANE! My pool is 680 sq ft. My estimates from the two most reputable companies in my area were both over $6,000.00 as well. I did an owner/build pool and did the entire installation myself. I put up 10 4x10 panels, 2in. headers w/2in. plumbing, and SunTouch automation for $2200.00 I bought my panels from a wholesaler and they come with a 12 year warranty. I will tell you the manufacturer of the panels if you would like to know, but I do not represent them in ANY way, and am not affiliated with them either. Basically I am an onwer/builder who threw up in my mouth a little bit when I got these ridiculous estimates for solar. I won't pretend that Fafco and/or Heliocol panels may be a little better quality but we are splitting hairs at this point of panel comaparisons. Here is a picture of my pool and a picture of the panels I put up. I will probably add another bank of 4x12's on another section of my roof in a few weeks for just a little bit more optimal coverage. Hope that helps.
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Our roof is about 25 feet high. We'd originally installed the 3.2 kw - but had trouble with our solar panels (Heliocol) being self draining and having variable pressure in the system during start up - the pump was VERY sensitive to this and would shut off. Pentair was fantastic and really worked with us to try to get the pump to work - in the end it didn't and we swapped it for the 4x160. We have the Intellitouch control system so we do have "max" control over this pump (ie we can use more than the standard programs for flows) and have been very pleased with it's performance - both running our pool and from an energy efficeincy standpoint. Our biggest disappointment was paying for the more expensive pump...since we weren't able to get that refunded to us (about $300 different on a wholesale basis). Pentair has assured me that not all solar set-ups have this problem - so you may be fine with the 3.2 kw - but doing it again I'd be perfectly happy putting in the 4x160 - provided you have the control system. (We have our pump set up to run the solar, pool filtration and two circuits of water features - and have been able to manage all of that just fine).
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landa_mac
15 years ago
Pentair's SunTouch Solar control system is one of the least expensive feature rich systems out there.
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donaldv
15 years ago
Try Heliocol, they have been around a long time.
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davegvg
15 years ago
All the black plastic collectors are about the same, Its the install and overall pressure in the system that determines life and longevity.

shoot for 1-1 or better sqaure feet of pool to panel coverage and get a good controller.

I have 12 aquatherm eco sun panels and In so california I can get temp rises near that of my master temp 400 on hot sunny days and its performance on overcast days is impressive.

With the automation system feeding the solar output to the heater I can get staggering heating performance in the 800K btu range.

Ill never have a pool without solar again.

Uncle Dave
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doublespiral
15 years ago
You might want to peruse those approved by SRCC:

http://solar-rating.org/RATINGS/RATINGS.HTM

They give performance ratings. The PDF has glazed and unglazed and you'll want to look at the unglazed for your pool.

I'm sure that there are other good brands, but it's nice to know that an impartial organization has approved a certain panel.

I'm currently searching for the best option myself. Let us know what you decide.

Here is a link that might be useful: SRCC ratings page
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Solar pool systems... which is best?

Comments (6)

poolguynj

tommyw

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