I'm just starting to look into getting solar panels for my home. If I do get solar panels should I go the route of a heat pump or solar heating for my pool? I'm sure this is a loaded question that will require a lot of research on my part, but I'm just looking for some ideas and maybe some good sites to get started. Also, please feel free to share any experiences you may have.
Pool Heating and Solar panels
- Thread starter PoolStudent
- Start date
If you've got the dollars why not both. Solar then heat pump. Where are you located? If you're not going to be using a pool cover it's like heating the house without a roof.
In Florida solar will provide you with all the heat you need from at least May to September and probably more. The rest of the year the heat pump would be the main source.
Bob is right, a cover really really makes a difference.
Bob is right, a cover really really makes a difference.
I'm in the Orlando area. I will look into a cover for the short term while I research systems.
In central Florida it is practical to manage 11-12 month pool operation with solar heat, in other parts of the country this is not practical.
- Oct 18, 2009
- 3,637
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Poolstudent, we have both heat pump and solar. The solar give us enough heat from March thru October. In the cooler months we have to use the heat pump to get additional heat. We also use a pool cover which keeps the heat in the pool.
Poolstudent, we have both heat pump and solar. The solar give us enough heat from March thru October. In the cooler months we have to use the heat pump to get additional heat. We also use a pool cover which keeps the heat in the pool.
What temp do you aim for in the cooler months? My daughter is still under the age of 2 and can't keep herself as warm as us adults. Even at with the temp at 86 it takes her a few minutes to adapt to the water.
How much of a difference does the pool cover make and what kind do you have?
A lot of the studies/research has been done. Here's some great info:
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_hot_water/pools/index.htm
The page list collector ratings, sizing and economics and a good Q&A page.
Home the info helps.
One of the nice things it's not from a manufacturer, it's from the University of Central Florida. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is a research institute of the University of Central Florida.
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_hot_water/pools/index.htm
The page list collector ratings, sizing and economics and a good Q&A page.
Home the info helps.
One of the nice things it's not from a manufacturer, it's from the University of Central Florida. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is a research institute of the University of Central Florida.