Please help me with my new pool build and equipment

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beachinmoney

beachinmoney

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Jun 13, 2013
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Buckeye, AZ
Hello. I have purchased a home in La Mision, Baja California, Ensenada area and it will be 30 x 18 with a 7 x 7 sun shelf, a swim-up bar, and be pebble tec with a waterfall over the top of the gazebo going into the pool and also bubblers with colored lead lights on the sun shelf. I want to make sure that it stays cool in the summer and warm all year. The temperature there is similar to San Diego. Maybe a little warmer but not as hot as AZ. I am doing;
(Pool will have (1) Pentair UltraTemp ETi Hybrid Heater - Propane - 220K, Part 462042, OR Pentair UltraTemp 140 H/C Pump 140/80K BTU 460958 (1) Pentair VSF 3 hp Pump model 011018, (1)Pentair Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Filter 520, Model 160332, (1) Pentair Intellichlor IC40 Salt system, and (2) Intellibrite color LED lights, ledge entry will include (2) bubblers with color led, B.B.Q. at seating area will have (2) 36” or equal to LED waterfalls color.)

Can anyone chime in here on the choices of the pool heater? the ETi cost is around $5900. Should I be looking for this or is it better to have them separate? And if so what kind of equipment do I need for them to run and work together. Also, I am not going really high tech on my control panel. I just want them centrally located and working together out of one box. Suggestions?
 
If you are not in a hurry, i would hold off on the heaters for a season and track the temps. My bet would be for solar panels if you have the real state. Not much heat required in Ensenada.
 
I had a heat pump at my old house, planning to do heat pump again, but I have a spa.

With no spa, I would do solar. The reason for me is convenience. With our heat pump, there were 2 issues... 1 - it takes a while to heat the pool. 2 - when you make the decision to turn it on, you really question whether it's worth it. i.e., I love to go in the pool after a run in the evenings, I am only in for 20 minutes or so during that time. This may be on a Tuesday night when no one else is going to use the pool until the weekend, so, if it needs to be heated, I would just skip going in the pool because I wouldn't turn it on that morning to have it ready to go by the time I want to use it sparingly that night. With solar, it doesn't cost anything to keep it the temp you want and it's always ready.

Without a spa, I definitely wouldn't spend the money on the gas option. Gas is great for heating a spa quickly (or pool), but propane is expensive. The heat pump should do everything you need unless you want the water to be 90 when it's 50 outside.
 
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You are also going to need more than 1 pump. You will not be able to run waterfalls 2x36" and much else at same time like the bubblers. Pump is a good choice the newer XF is same money get that, amd a water feature pump w a good valve setup is your best bet
 
OrlandoBull said:
I had a heat pump at my old house, planning to do heat pump again, but I have a spa.

With no spa, I would do solar. The reason for me is convenience. With our heat pump, there were 2 issues... 1 - it takes a while to heat the pool. 2 - when you make the decision to turn it on, you really question whether it's worth it. i.e., I love to go in the pool after a run in the evenings, I am only in for 20 minutes or so during that time. This may be on a Tuesday night when no one else is going to use the pool until the weekend, so, if it needs to be heated, I would just skip going in the pool because I wouldn't turn it on that morning to have it ready to go by the time I want to use it sparingly that night. With solar, it doesn't cost anything to keep it the temp you want and it's always ready.

Without a spa, I definitely wouldn't spend the money on the gas option. Gas is great for heating a spa quickly (or pool), but propane is expensive. The heat pump should do everything you need unless you want the water to be 90 when it's 50 outside.
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Thanks so much for your feedback. I just don't know if I have enough room on my roof for the pool solar as well as the other solar. It will be in Mexico. I
wonder if Propane is as expensive there. It is just me so as far as heating it up. It will always be mostly me unless there are guests.
 
Propane is about 10 pesos/lt as of today. Its about 1.88usd/gallon. I have a 500lt tank and only have 3 water heaters (rinae)and the drier. Usually fill it up halfway 100usd and last me about 7 months. Everything else is electric, offset with solar panels(24).
 
How many kw is the solar putting out? Maybe a smaller heat pump would be better in this situation. Theres also combo AC units that take the heat removed from the house amd dump it to the pool water.
I think you will use alot more propane than you think for a pool heater. The tankless water heaters are on demand so they only fire when called upon. Same with dryer its spot use. The pool heater will run alot and is way more btus so while it's running it will consume alot of propane
 
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jimmythegreek said:
You are also going to need more than 1 pump. You will not be able to run waterfalls 2x36" and much else at same time like the bubblers. Pump is a good choice the newer XF is same money get that, amd a water feature pump w a good valve setup is your best bet
Click to expand...
Thanks so much on your input. Do you have an opinion on using
Flying Tivo said:
Propane is about 10 pesos/lt as of today. Its about 1.88usd/gallon. I have a 500lt tank and only have 3 water heaters (rinae)and the drier. Usually fill it up halfway 100usd and last me about 7 months. Everything else is electric, offset with solar panels(24).
Click to expand...
So that's cheap...
 

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jimmythegreek said:
How many kw is the solar putting out? Maybe a smaller heat pump would be better in this situation. Theres also combo AC units that take the heat removed from the house amd dump it to the pool water.
I think you will use alot more propane than you think for a pool heater. The tankless water heaters are on demand so they only fire when called upon. Same with dryer its spot use. The pool heater will run alot and is way more btus so while it's running it will consume alot of propane
Click to expand...
Im doing combo heat and cool.
 
I really don't want something that is hard on my feet. But I also am spending so much money on my whole home additions, pool, etc. that I don't want something more expensive. My pool is being built in Mexico. Anyone have suggestions on the kind of finish I should get? I want a color that is a nice light blue if that matters and I am doing some mosaics. Turtles and starfish on the Baja shelf.
 
Thanks Maddie. Our plaster is just tinted. So it has color but cost little or no more than white. However, the tinting usually results in mottling or a marble look to the surface. We don't mind it, and in fact like that aspect. Here's one that sort of shows it. But its hard to tell the difference between the water surface reflections and the actual surface irregularity of color.

0F95D984-C7E1-4B33-BEEE-F6895EA3DEE9.jpeg

0F95D984-C7E1-4B33-BEEE-F6895EA3DEE9.jpeg

 
Do you have a Pebble Tec dealer there? If so, look into their Pebble Fina product. Supposed to have the longevity of pebble, but it feels like plaster. Also usually cheaper than regular pebble. You can see what mine looks like in the build photos in my signature, that's the Bella Blue color.
 
My pool builder is giving me Pebble for the same cost as plaster. So I can buy the same as what pebble Tec would run I should say... I will look at the Pebble Fina product. I want Pebble Tec for the lower maintenance and longer wear. I just want a smooth comfortable feel to it.
 
I agree to avoid pebble over plaster if you want the surface to feel soft. I recommend pmm marquis marbletite, that is what I have on mine and looks and feels great. I did not have any plaster dust at startup compared to my previous pool which was just plain white plaster, that did create dust for weeks.
 
mknauss said:
Is it not included in your contract for the pool build?
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No, Im now finding that a lot of things aren't. No wonder the bid seemed so good. I can't just change though because he is now also my General Contractor so to speak. It's rather confusing, very time-consuming. I am adding on and remodeling a home in Mexico. Having someone period is hard to find. Here is what it says;
Schedule A
Description: We are happy to build an 18’ x 30’ swimming pool with ledge entry, and integrated B.B.Q
Area, with the individual Saltwater treatment system. with Pentair equipment.
1. Swim Pool. Consist on a pool of a depth of 3.5’ to a max depth of 7.5’, and this will be a
shotcrete concrete mix structure with reinforcing steel according to typical design pre-engineered,
with one end of the pool will have an 8’x 8’ ledge Baja Sun entry, and a B.B.Q. the area with 4 seats.
2. Excavation. Includes all retentions which will be done at an additional charge. After existing dirt
removal is done we will involve our engineering department Mario Duran to determine if we will
set pool structure over the retention boundaries, all fill, and compaction will be compacted by
pool contract to assure max compaction. Fill dirt will be provided by the owner.
3. Plumbing. All plumbing will be PVC piping sizing from 1” to max 2” PVC varying from
schedule 40 to 80. This pool will have an independent pool system. All valves will be Jandy Valves,
all trims and whites will be Hayward. this pool build also includes A & A popup floor cleaning
system.
4. Steel Reinforcement. Will consist of #3 Rebar and #4 rebar as per typical pool build code and
installed as required.
5. Rough Electrical. All Electrical will be in compliance with the pool code with proper # 8 Solid
Copper grounding as per code and typical pool building, all Pentair Niches will be grounded as
per code and all electrical will run thru electrical conduit to Electrical Subpanel with AGFI
Breakers.
6. Shotcrete. Pre-engineered concrete mix with a resistance of 3500 psi or equal to a 3/8
aggregated pit gravel. (Not Dry Gunite).
7. Tile Deck and Coping. This will consist of a Tile provided by the owner we do all installations and
finishes to pool shell and grease line, adding 500 sqft of decking for additional decking to pour
where owner desires plus the additional 36’’ of the pool deck with Kool deck or stamped concrete.

I added or changed this a little. (Client to pay for waterline and mosaic pool tiles and contractor will install. Contractor installations and finishes to pool shell and grease line and stamped or Kool decking 500 sq ft. as well as the standard 36” of pool deck as per 3D plan.)

8. Pool Equipment. The pool will have (1) Pentair VSF 3hp Pump, (1) 420 Pentair Clean and Clear
Cartridge filter, (1) Pentair Ultratemp 140 heat pump with inverter
(1) Pentair Intellichlor IC40 Saltsystem, and (2) Intellibrite color LED lights, ledge entry will include (2) bubblers, with color led.
B.B.Q. at seating area will have (2) 36’’or equal to LED waterfalls color.

9. Accessories. Such as pole bases, and anchoring around pool adding a total of (4) and install

where the owner desires.

10. B.B.Q. will be also at additional cost but will be attached to the pool shell structure.

B.B.Q. at seating area will have (2) 36’’or equal to LED waterfalls color.

9. Accessories. Such as pole bases, and anchoring around pool adding a total of (4) and install

where the owner desires.

10. B.B.Q. will be also at additional cost but will be attached to the pool shell structure.

that the Owner will choose.

11. Plaster. It Will consist of a Pebblefina or similar that the owner will select from the sample catalog

during the building process or as soon as possible, will add color glass bead to pebble plaster during

The plastering process also to be selected from the catalog by the owner. And contractor will acid wash the pool

plaster prior to filling. The owner shall provide water ASAP once the pool is clean and ready to fill.



12. Treatment and Walkthru. The owner shall provide water to fill the pool. The pool builder will treat water as

courtesy will have to use some chemicals for first treatment because of minerals in water on

area, finally pool contractor will explain basics, and how to operate the system and set programing

on pump.
 

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