Quote:
Originally Posted by Toymeister
We have both a solar and gas heater
We use gas on the spillover spa on an as needed basis. Solar heating is set to stop at 90 degrees.
Heat adds months to our season. While solar does have it's limitations it is not 400 additional per month as a full time gas heat can be in the coldest months.
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Coming from GA where we had a pool that got too hot to swim in during July and August (shade sails fixed this!), I too was concerned about pool temps in the summer. Having a screened enclosure over your pool significantly decreases the amount of sun that hits the pool - you wouldn't think it would, but it lowers pool temps by as much as 10 degrees vs a pool in the open (i.e. Villages community pools). My pool has never been warmer than 90 in the summer, so I don't think you need a chiller. 90 feels pretty good when it's 100 degrees out!
For heat, we have a heat pump (electric), use our pool year round, and keep it at 88. During the coldest months this adds between $30-$40 to our electric bill. During early spring and late fall, maybe $10-$20, and during late spring through early fall $0. Natural gas will cost far more than electric (~2x-3x), while propane brings a whole new level to costs. If you are going electric, get the biggest heater you can get. The bigger heaters are more efficient, heat faster, and last longer.
Do your research carefully. Solar heats best when it's really hot out (when you don't need it), and works worst when you do (Dec-Feb). Even if you put in solar, you'll still need a heat source for those days/months when solar can't provide the heat you need - so you'll be paying for two heat sources. The average solar system costs ~$4K installed. If you have to have a heat pump anyway, why pay another $4K? Based on my yearly heating costs, it would take between 15-20 years to recoup the cost of the solar system. By then I guarantee you will need to replace multiple components on the system, if not the entire system.