Pool solar heather

[Zef]

I'm interested in this heather...sound like a good cheap alternative to gas or electric heather...Anybody have experience with that type of pool heather...Thanks guys...
http://www.fafco.com/SolarPoolHeater/FAFCO-above-ground-pool-heaters.html

[sammyg2]

I have a nearly identical system on my roof, but it uses 6 panels that are 2' wide by 20' long for a total of 12' x 20' for my in-ground pool. Mine is made by sungrabber.

They are made of thin plastic molded tubes and can be punctured if handled roughly but it is easy to plug the individual tubes.

I suggest you check e-bay before you buy.
I paid about $900 for my entire system IIRC, you should be able to do your system with $150 or so.

here's one example: http://cgi.ebay.com/2x20-Above-Ground-Solar-Swimming-Pool-Heater-Panel_W0QQitemZ180369791485QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item29fee099fd&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A1| 294%3A50

[LakeCleElum]

A pool in Montreal? - This for Ice Skating?

No experience with this type, but the Lodge where my cabin is on Lake Cle Elum has a huge pool. Heating expenses were cut 80% some years ago by going to solar panels on the roof.

We have a lot of sunny days in the summer - From my trips thru Montreal, you should be good also......

[slodave]

My parents have had solar heating for their pool for about 30 years. Large aluminum panels on their hillside. There are times when the pool feels more like a jacuzzi, bu without the bubbles. The only downside is in the winter - even in L.A. No enough sun, so the pool is cold.

[masraum]

My mom has a solar heater on her roof. Works really well. Of course, she's in Florida.

I've seen the crazy Canadians swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in December, January and February. I guess it doesn't take much for you guys to think it's warm enough for swimming.

[Racerbvd]

Check this one out, a friend owns this company..

http://www.sun-ergy.com/aboutus.htm

[Zef]

Originally Posted by masraum

My mom has a solar heater on her roof. Works really well. Of course, she's in Florida.

I've seen the crazy Canadians swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in December, January and February. I guess it doesn't take much for you guys to think it's warm enough for swimming.

Thanks for the imputs guys...Yea...I go to Florida (father-in-law condo in FLL) every winter in February with kids for the school break and yes, we swim every day in the big pond...F***ing crazy Canucks....!!!!

[71T Targa]

Here's my take on solar pool heaters, and yes, I've had them.

1) When the sun is out they work great!
2) You don't really need/want your pool heated when the sun's out.
3) When it's cloudy they don't work, and can actually lower the temp of the pool.
4) You really need/want your pool heated on cloudy days.
5) If you accidentally leave them 'on' during the night, they can greatly lower your pool temp.

[Z-man]

My wife glanced over my shoulder regarding this thread -- and she suggests to keep your pool warm, the best heather to get would be Ms. Locklear. "Heather be thy name..." per Garth.

-Z-man.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

Here's my take on solar pool heaters, and yes, I've had them.

1) When the sun is out they work great!
2) You don't really need/want your pool heated when the sun's out.
3) When it's cloudy they don't work, and can actually lower the temp of the pool.
4) You really need/want your pool heated on cloudy days.
5) If you accidentally leave them 'on' during the night, they can greatly lower your pool temp.

My mother's has a thermostat, so you can turn the heat, up/down, so it won't get too hot. I guess some of your other stuff depends upon where you are (she's in the panhandle of Florida).

There are times when it's 70 or 75 outside and sunny, but you'd like to get into a warm pool (say 80*). Well, without the heater, the pool won't be that warm. Also, I think my mom would turn the pump and heater off at night and then turn it on again in the morning. Her pool isn't used daily. I guess if it was it would be easy enough to get a timer that could do that for you.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by masraum

My mother's has a thermostat, so you can turn the heat, up/down, so it won't get too hot. I guess some of your other stuff depends upon where you are (she's in the panhandle of Florida).

There are times when it's 70 or 75 outside and sunny, but you'd like to get into a warm pool (say 80*). Well, without the heater, the pool won't be that warm. Also, I think my mom would turn the pump and heater off at night and then turn it on again in the morning. Her pool isn't used daily. I guess if it was it would be easy enough to get a timer that could do that for you.

I agree with that...In Montreal summer, the pool temp. rarely goes past 75...all I need is a small bump in temp.....just to be on 78-80 range will be great....and the motor pump is always turned off during the night...courtesy of a good timer.

[Rick Lee]

Week before last I was talking with the seller of the house we're probably buying and he said the pool heater he has costs $5 PER HOUR!!!!! Good thing we have a long pool season here, as that heater will never be used wheh I own the place.

[Zeke]

A pool blanket will even things out quite a bit.

FWIW, the pool used in the Las Vegas show La Reve is kept at 88 degrees, or the temp of human skin.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I know a couple of Heathers, and they're hot enough in swimsuits to warm up any pool. Even one in Montreal.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I know a couple of Heathers, and they're hot enough in swimsuits to warm up any pool. Even one in Montreal.

You know the drill. That post is useless w/o ....

[imcarthur]

When I had a pool installed in the late 80s, we used a heat pump. That combined with a thermal blanket did a good job. North of Toronto btw so similar climate. Probably higher costs though.

Certainly this summer, relying on the sun might be a problem . . .

Ian

[futuresoptions]

Al Gore says...............

[Burnin' oil]

Just jumped in to make sure Zef's typo was properly addressed. Good job everyone.

[Joeaksa]

We use them a lot in Arizona but turn them off once it gets above 90 outside. Right now without the heaters turned on my pool is 88 or so and will stay that way until Sept when the solar heaters are once again turned on.

[kycarguy 935]

How about a wood burning heater?

http://warmwatersolutions.com/Index.html

Wood can be free in many area's with a little work or knowing the tree trimmer's.