First post - Located in southern AL near the Gulf. We are finishing up the install now on a 506 sqft freeform gunite pool, 4ft to 6ft depth (approx. 20k gallons), 2 sheer descents, SWG using Pentair VFD pump, Sand Filter, and EasyTouch controller.
The remaining landscaping has been going well to the point we have some money left in the budget and we are thinking about adding a natural gas heater to help out in the spring and fall before we close out the final payment with the contractor (Southern Poolscapes - great so far).
Doing the math, I should need about 100k BTU to maintain a 20F rise above ambient air temps, and about 150k BTU if I wanted to bring the water temp up approx. 20F per day of operation.
Reading here, I understand there are issues with the circuitry on the Hayward units. However there is one locally that is a 250k BTU unit that is basically a open box unit that has zero use and never water in the heat exchanger. I can get it for less than half price, so I'm tempted, even though I know the shortcomings with them and it would have zero warranty. From what I've read, the warranty on a Hayward isn't much to worry about anyway since getting them to own up to issues can be a problem. I'm an engineer and mechanically inclined so working on one myself won't be a problem, but I don't want a headache either. Was thinking about the Hayward but undecided at this point.
My other option is to go with a new Pentair or Raypak and spend about $1000 more, but they would be new and come with the warranty.
Looking for some opinions on this one as $1k savings up front on the larger unit makes it tempting, but not sure if it would be worth the risk and hassle...
Another option on this would be to use solar to supplement the heater and go with a smaller unit.
No matter which option we choose, we will use some type of pool blanket to keep evaporation to a minimum along with heating costs.
The remaining landscaping has been going well to the point we have some money left in the budget and we are thinking about adding a natural gas heater to help out in the spring and fall before we close out the final payment with the contractor (Southern Poolscapes - great so far).
Doing the math, I should need about 100k BTU to maintain a 20F rise above ambient air temps, and about 150k BTU if I wanted to bring the water temp up approx. 20F per day of operation.
Reading here, I understand there are issues with the circuitry on the Hayward units. However there is one locally that is a 250k BTU unit that is basically a open box unit that has zero use and never water in the heat exchanger. I can get it for less than half price, so I'm tempted, even though I know the shortcomings with them and it would have zero warranty. From what I've read, the warranty on a Hayward isn't much to worry about anyway since getting them to own up to issues can be a problem. I'm an engineer and mechanically inclined so working on one myself won't be a problem, but I don't want a headache either. Was thinking about the Hayward but undecided at this point.
My other option is to go with a new Pentair or Raypak and spend about $1000 more, but they would be new and come with the warranty.
Looking for some opinions on this one as $1k savings up front on the larger unit makes it tempting, but not sure if it would be worth the risk and hassle...
Another option on this would be to use solar to supplement the heater and go with a smaller unit.
No matter which option we choose, we will use some type of pool blanket to keep evaporation to a minimum along with heating costs.
