Being "green"

[skijay]

I like to use free resources when available, even if the equipment to use it may cost a little bit. I am in a solar kick. All of the landscape lights purchased over the past 2 years are the new solar type. They give off just enough lighting in the nighttime and there is no "light pollution" emited. I like the fact that there is no electricty used. I install in late March and remove the first week of November and store for the winter.

When I bought my pool the package came with a gas heater. I declined as it is a small pool and really no need to spend the $700 for a gas hook up and then the constant $$ to pay for propane to heat the water. Last week I purchased a FAFCO brand solar panel to heat the water. Easy to install, I have a simple set up. The pool pump either pumps into the panel or I turn the knob to bypass the panel. Very simple.

It has not been very sunny since last week. I do have a solar cover on the pool as well. This morning the water was 68 degrees. I put the pump on to run from 9am to 3pm, the time when the panel is going to get the most sun. I will check to see how much warmer the pool got today.

 

[Joshua B]

Your efforts are to be commended.

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

Green is Good...

As you probably already know, "Passive Solar" energy systems are very effective for power and water heating systems, especially small loads. Try www.solarpower2004.com to learn more about the industry.

The US Coast uses solar "photo-voltaic" systems for water hazard(s) systems (my company has installed and maintenance a number of them along the Maine/NH Seacoast.

We believe Green is good. Go for it.

 

[skijay]

The water went up to 75 degrees on Friday. I did go in as the air temp around 7:30pm was 69 degrees. Refreshing, but I like pool water at 84 degrees....

 

[teachski]

Good luck getting the solar panel to heat your pool to that temperature. My sister had a solar heater and a solar cover for years while they had their above ground pool, it rarely got to that temperature. I believe that the only times it got that warm was during extreme hot spells where they didn't need to use it anyway. They moved the solar panel to several different locations to see if another location would collect more heat, but it didn't make much difference. Granted, they did have a large above ground pool, the largest available oval on the market when they got it (I can't remember the size), if you have a smaller pool it might just work. The highest temperature they were ever able to achieve with the solar cover was 75 degrees.

They now have an inground pool with a heater system. This is where I plan to spend most of my summer.

 

[skijay]

I did research before I purchased this one. It is the newest design with the diverter valve and is rated at 85,000 BTU (full sun). I only have about 7600 gallons to heat and this panel is the upgraded from what is recommended for my size pool.

Solar covers are good to retain heat, but I have never had a pool heat up from using one with the exception of the first 1 to two feet of water from the surface. They keep evaporation down and chemical use down. I will only see the true effect of the solar heater once we get a series of sunny days. We have not had that yet.

 

[skijay]

The water got up to 85 yesterday.
Go solar!!

 

[Greg]

The water got up to 85 yesterday.
Go solar!!

When are you having the AlpineZone Pool Party?! 8)

 

[skijay]

My pool water is now at 92 degrees! I left the panel on accidentally and the water heated up yesterday. Between that and the solar cover it was bath water last night when I went in at 9pm.

Thursday the daytime highs are suppose to be in the 60's so the water can cool down a bit.

 

[thetrailboss]

Your efforts to be Green are commendable and I wish that more of my neighbors would do their part to help out. Two cases in point: The knucklehead downstairs does not recycle anything and in June, a coworker snarled at me for turning out unused lights.

Growing up in Vermont, I see what it takes to make our electricity and products such as milk. It disgusts me how wasteful people are when they don't see what it takes to produce what we need.

 

[skijay]

All of the landscape lights around my pool and house are all solar. I purchased my first batch 4 yrs ago and some 2 yrs ago for the pool.

They are great and for the winter just pull them up and put in a rubbermaid storage container and store for the winter.