Using the pool deck as a solar collector
Okay, I know that pumping heated water through hundreds of feet of underfloor piping is a luxury home heating solution. Could something like this work in reverse?
If one installed hundreds of feet of pipe in the concrete surrounding the pool and pumped the pool water through that pipe, then there must be some amount of heat that would be transferred back to the pool. Yes, I recognize that a horizontal surface isn’t the best angle to capture the warming rays of the sun. And yes, I also recognize that we tend to choose lighter colors to avoid trapping more heat that burns sensitive feet. Finally, I recognize that this solution wouldn’t heat the pool to a comfortable temperature in mid-February, but it might extend the swimming season for a few weeks on either end.
Nevertheless, the additional cost of the infrastructure (1000’ of PEX piping is a few hundred dollars) is small. There are no roof penetrations to consider. We probably (?) needn’t worry about water freezing in the pipes here in TV. I’m pretty sure that the ‘standard’ pump could pump the water through this length of pipe.
The only ‘risk’ I see is if the company pouring the concrete scores the slab to minimize visible cracks, then they could cut the pipes in many spots.
Are any companies offering this?
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