Hey Rich, solar pool heater question

[thastinger]

So, at the request of the DW, I began the research last week of adding a solar pool heater to our inground pool. I'm interested in your take on the situation given that our climates are about the same and you do this for a living. What % do I need in coverage with no cover to get maybe an 8-10 degree bump and extend the season a few weeks on either side of Memorial Day/Labor Day. The pool surafce area is 13x28 but it's only 6.5 deep and has a large shallow end so it's only about 17K gal, is it just the surface area you use to figure coverage %? The pool gets Sun all day and the garage is close to the pump/plumbing so that is where the collectors need to go, the kicker is that the roof faces 260 degrees. I have space on the roof for a 8x20 and I was looking at the "Powerstrip" system. It is a bit more expensive than the Fafco stuff but seems repairable and aftermarket supported where you can buy seperate repair parts if ever needed. We'll probably be in the house another 15 years. 1.5" plumbing, Pentair 1HP Superflo pump, DE Hayward 6020 filter, Saltwater. Just planning on manual control valves and I know about the checkvalves needed. I assume it is better to run the header pipes vertical on the roof 3/12 pitch so they can be drained for Winter. Lots of questions I know, so thanks in advance. Mike

[Naptown]

50% is the general rule.
However with an 8x20 roof you won't get there as you can only fit about 40%
It will heat the pool but where you will come up short is at the very beginning and end of the season.
For those times consider using a liquid pool cover to reduce evaporative losses on the pool which account for 70% of what you lose.

[thastinger]

Ok thanks. My dogs drink from the pool once I take the Winter cover off of it so I think the liquid cover is going to be a non starter for me due to that. I'll just use this year to figure out if we can live with 8x20 or if I need to build a trellis or something to put more panels on.

[Naptown]

what is the shape of the pool?

[Naptown]

Ok thanks. My dogs drink from the pool once I take the Winter cover off of it so I think the liquid cover is going to be a non starter for me due to that. I'll just use this year to figure out if we can live with 8x20 or if I need to build a trellis or something to put more panels on.

The stuff is non toxic and considering you use < 1 ounce a day it ain't much

[thastinger]

Any recommendation on the liguid blanket? There are a ton of products out there.
Here is the pool.

[Naptown]

Any recommendation on the liguid blanket? There are a ton of products out there.
Here is the pool.

Your pool is actually smaller than I calculated at from the radius at the end.
Heatsavr is the one I use but I only use it with the pump. The clownfish can be abused.

[thastinger]

Thanks Rich, I believe I've settled on a 9x30 and some tree trimming to get the last 10ft into the Sun.