- Jun 10, 2009
- 336
- Pool Size
- 24000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Ok here's getting to the point. 3 years ago we put 7 pool solar heating panels on the roof. 5 of the panels are on the south facing roof with the other 2 on the West facing roof. I have a large roof (2000 sq. ft.) home but just way to many different roof lines, so my options are limited here.
We have decided that it's more important to put Solar Electricity up. However we still need to keep our pool warm. A heat pump from what I'm told is out of the question, since I have a 125amp main breaker panel and as per my city's code in California, I can upgrade it to a 200amp panel due to having only 2.5" conduit coming up from the ground from PG&E vs. 3" conduit. We recently purchased a Electric vehicle and had to add a 30amp breaker for that. The solar we will be putting up requires a 50 amp breaker which we will put in a subpanel to get this done and change out the 125amp breaker to a 100amp breaker which as per city inspector is fine. So that means I really don't have room for a heat pump.
So here is my ONLY option:
- Move 2 out of the 5 on the south facing roof to the East facing roof directly opposite of the other 2 panels on the West roof. The remaining 3 will be brought down and stored away as I don't have enough roof to mount them.
So let me ask anyone who has experience with these solar pool heating panels, Obviously going from 7 panels down to 4 panels will reduce efficiency and how fast the pool heats up etc... I know I'll have to run the pump long, but at a slightly lower speed due to only 4 panels being up on the roof. The company that installed the panels wants to charge me $400 to move the 2 to the East Roof and remove the other 3 completely. Is this a good price? I have to go with them and can't do it myself due to being under warranty for 9 more years.
So what to do? I guess I don't really have a option because if you agree that solar electric is more important then there really isn't a issue.
So the real question I guess is will I still be able to heat up my 18,000 gallon pool somewhat ok in the summer? The panels I have a 4' x 12' Fafco panels.
Thanks!
We have decided that it's more important to put Solar Electricity up. However we still need to keep our pool warm. A heat pump from what I'm told is out of the question, since I have a 125amp main breaker panel and as per my city's code in California, I can upgrade it to a 200amp panel due to having only 2.5" conduit coming up from the ground from PG&E vs. 3" conduit. We recently purchased a Electric vehicle and had to add a 30amp breaker for that. The solar we will be putting up requires a 50 amp breaker which we will put in a subpanel to get this done and change out the 125amp breaker to a 100amp breaker which as per city inspector is fine. So that means I really don't have room for a heat pump.
So here is my ONLY option:
- Move 2 out of the 5 on the south facing roof to the East facing roof directly opposite of the other 2 panels on the West roof. The remaining 3 will be brought down and stored away as I don't have enough roof to mount them.
So let me ask anyone who has experience with these solar pool heating panels, Obviously going from 7 panels down to 4 panels will reduce efficiency and how fast the pool heats up etc... I know I'll have to run the pump long, but at a slightly lower speed due to only 4 panels being up on the roof. The company that installed the panels wants to charge me $400 to move the 2 to the East Roof and remove the other 3 completely. Is this a good price? I have to go with them and can't do it myself due to being under warranty for 9 more years.
So what to do? I guess I don't really have a option because if you agree that solar electric is more important then there really isn't a issue.
So the real question I guess is will I still be able to heat up my 18,000 gallon pool somewhat ok in the summer? The panels I have a 4' x 12' Fafco panels.
Thanks!