Protect Your Pool Over the Cold Winter Season
If you’re planning on a solar pool heater you are looking at a fairly important investment in the upkeep of your comfortable life. Since you understand the finer aspects of living, I will not bore you with basics of what to look for in a solar pool heater, but rather shall delve into 5 nuances.
So let’s get to the meat and potatoes, shall we?
First, a pool cover is a must. A good pool cover is the most effective way to save heating costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions considerably. According to David Boehmer, one would spend between $85 and $150 for a residential pool cover. Actually all pool heating methods should be used along with a pool cover otherwise it would be like operating an air conditioner with open doors and windows. You may spend as much as three times more on operating costs.
Second, look up FSEC. It is a very good source of information on solar pool heating, with collector sizing, economics, system installation, and collector and system ratings based on FSEC tests.
Third, if you want to look at payback, you can count on good information from up north. Resources Canada describes types of systems, sizing system, and some installation detail.
Fourth, re-look at the size of your pool. A small collector (say 10 sqft) can heat well if you keep the pool volume small. A pool with 14,000 lbs of water to heat gets by with a 10sqft collector whereas a 20 ft diameter by 4 ft deep pool has almost 80,000 lbs of water to heat… so the costs may go awry!
And fifth, if you are undertaking solar project, you will do well to take a Solar Site Survey to ascertain that your place has enough sun during the right times of year to make the project work. This survey is free and easy only takes an hour which would be fun too!
Finally, and this is a bonus, remember that the law in Florida allows only licensed roofing contractors or CVC solar contractors to install solar on your roof. Any other contractors (with the old solar CW license, pool contractor / pool service licenses and county RX licenses) are not allowed to perform the actual work but may subcontract either a professional roofer or a CVC licensed solar contractor.
Also, you could lose your home if the contractor you hire does not carry Worker’s Compensation. You are entirely responsible for any accidents arising due to improperly licensed contractors installing solar on your roof. So remember to check for it and enjoy happy times in the making and usage of your solar pool heater.
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