This is my fourth season with the FPH and I have not had to have any technician touch my AC in all that time. Still works great.
(but now I jinxed it for sure)
(but now I jinxed it for sure)
Hi - I too live in the Atlanta area. Did you decide to go with the install?Thanks for the writeup, I am considering adding one to my pool. We will have a gas heater for the spa and when the weather drops too much but this FPH hotspot heater looks very interesting to me.
I live in north atlanta, and we run the AC all the time. I think this would work great in april/may and september and october, and because our pool is very shaded. I dont like very cold pools!
Are you still happy with the system? How about a several year update!!
Do you have the ability to set it to a water temp setpoint so it doesnt keep heating the pool?
Would you install it again?
I may just do a Jandy HEatpump/Chiller Combo.
Any idea if its resulted in any cost savings for you in you HVAC bill? Looks like "free heat"
thanks!
We do run the AC a lot here, even in winter (I had home heat on for a total of 20 minutes last winter), so I solved the issue of the pool pump running a lot by dropping an additional $1K on a variable speed pump. With a 1 speed 220 volt pump you use the FPH control's 2-pole relay to send 220 to the pump (in parallel to pool timer, careful to not cross the poles or have electrician do it), and now with the variable speed pump it only uses one pole of the FPH relay - closing the remote contacts feed from the pump controller to tell the pump to come on. That's nice to ensure the pump comes on, but now I just run the pump 7x24 anyway, in 1200 RPM / 72 Watt mode, a savings there as well (although break even on the $1K pump is probably 4 years, assuming it lasts that long). As others alluded, there is a minimum flow rate to ensure the exchanger is cooling properly, I checked that but don't have the numbers handy. The pump is 50 feet from the AC & FPH exchanger, I ran 2" from my 1.5HP max pump.
Does anyone run the FPH with automation? I have a Pentair VSP pump, and Hotspot said the FPH must control the pump via the automation port, so my Intermattic z-wave system won't be able to control it. I would love to hear if anyone uses this thing with automation.
I'm looking at buying a separate pump for the FPH and circulation, but don't know how I would plumb two pumps.
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Since I am in the process of hooking up the system, I am looking for any photos of completed installations. If you can share, and this site allows, I would appreciate it.
Thanks!
If you have automation like the ET, it can handle the exchanger without the Brains of the Hotspot. I called CS at Hotspot and explained them what the ET does with solar and its basically a relay that opens a selenoid, which can do the same for the AC unit. This means that the refrigerant will only flow to the exchanger when ET calls for heat and operates the Pump to circulate water. So you can save some $$ if you have ET.
I did install the FPH. I do not let it control my VSP pump. I generally let the FPH run all of the time. I can disable it and control the pump with my Intermattic z-wave system if I want to turn it off. It works well most of the time. I should have installed a flow switch to kill the FPH if there is a problem with the pump.DID YOU GET AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION? I AM WONDERING THE SAME THING. DID YOU GO WITH THE SYSTEM?
I did install the FPH. I do not let it control my VSP pump. I generally let the FPH run all of the time. I can disable it and control the pump with my Intermattic z-wave system if I want to turn it off. It works well most of the time. I should have installed a flow switch to kill the FPH if there is a problem with the pump.
You're several years ahead of me. I just found out about this option a couple of week ago, and I have been kicking myself for not being the one to think of it before.This is my fourth season with the FPH and I have not had to have any technician touch my AC in all that time. Still works great.
(but now I jinxed it for sure)
You're several years ahead of me. I just found out about this option a couple of week ago, and I have been kicking myself for not being the one to think of it before.
Is your system still running well? I've been contemplating replacing my AC system too since it is ancient itself. ~25 yo evaporator.
For folks with other "brains" / automation systems I'm sure you could bypass some or most of the FPH controller relays and functions so long as your automation system is capable of closing contacts to control a heater, then it's just some wiring choices depending on how automated the brain system is.
Happy free heating to all !
The intellicenter ought to be able to take in standard control signals. I believe there's an adapter for it. Maybe one of our members that has this pump and that automation system can help.I am trying to figure out how to have my Pentair Intelliflow VSP respond to both the FPH Conrtrol (2 wires (+/-) at 24vac) and the Intellicenter which uses a RS-485 communication cable provided with the pump and will be used to connect the pump to a Pentair automation system.
If I figure out how to have the ONE pump come on when FPH calls for it and when the Intellicenter calls for it - - I will be perfect!
I wonder it the pump will respond to both the 2-24 signal AND the RS-485 serial signal a the same?You can buy an Intellicom adapter for the pump that lets it take digital 2-24 v dc or ac signals.