Solar swimming pool recommendation.

[Rob1965]

Looking for recommendations and approximate price to install a solar pool heating system.
(24x12 pool)

[justjim]

There have been previous threads regarding this subject. Use “search” to retrieve the previous threads as they may be useful in addition to comments you might receive here. I know some pool owners in the past said solar wasn’t adequate to keep the pool warm enough for them in the winter. Others have questioned the cost benefit - but to each his own. The pools I’ve had in the past I heated with natural gas but not everybody in The Villages has natural gas available to them.

[Arctic Fox]

Looking for recommendations and approximate price to install a solar pool heating system.
(24x12 pool)

With the drop in the price of photovoltaic panels over the past five years it is now more efficient to use these rather than the old-style method for heating a pool. Any surplus electricity generated can then be used in the home.

[Papa_lecki]

With the drop in the price of photovoltaic panels over the past five years it is now more efficient to use these rather than the old-style method for heating a pool. Any surplus electricity generated can then be used in the home.

I dont think that is how solar works when hearing pool water. The water goes through a series of tubes on the roof, where the water collects heat from the sun.
The solar isn’t used to power a heater, it actually heats the water.
No residual energy is collected to power a home.

[MACH7SS]

Superior Solar Florida 800-329-1301
They installed a Helicol Solar System on the roof for approx. $4500 seven years ago. The installation was very professional and clean looking with the PVC down the side to the pool pump. Our system has operated all year long since then with no repairs or problems whatsoever. The system easily withstood the winds of Hurricane Irma. David Spanier is the guy who will visit your home and price out the entire job. Do some research on Helicol Solar Systems versus the standard rubber solar systems. You'll see why Helicol is the best!

[villagetinker]

OP, also consider the age of your roof, if you will be replacing in the near future, I would hold off on the solar heating until the new roof is installed, otherwise you will probably need to have the solar removed and reinstalled, at your cost. BTW, Jacks solar did the neighbors several years ago, that was 3 owners ago, but I do not recall any of the owners complaining about the solar install. There were problems with a close in lightning strike and damage to the computer and pumps, but that was separate from the install.

[Arctic Fox]

I dont think that is how solar works when hearing pool water. The water goes through a series of tubes on the roof, where the water collects heat from the sun.
The solar isn’t used to power a heater, it actually heats the water.
No residual energy is collected to power a home.

That's what I'm referring to as the "old" system.

Photovoltaic panels is the preferred route nowadays

[Michael G.]

OP, also consider the age of your roof, if you will be replacing in the near future, I would hold off on the solar heating until the new roof is installed, otherwise you will probably need to have the solar removed and reinstalled, at your cost.

Great advice here.
Even in a new build, remember when reroofing those panels will need to be removed.

[Judy n Ron]

Looking for recommendations and approximate price to install a solar pool heating system.
(24x12 pool)

Call Jacks Solar. Decent price. System we have is now 10 years old and whenever there is a minor issue they always come out and don't charge me. Ron

[jdulej]

Call Jacks Solar. Decent price. System we have is now 10 years old and whenever there is a minor issue they always come out and don't charge me. Ron

I'll second the vote for Jack's. They have been around for a long time - were the only game in town for some of those years.
Having said that, we found that the only real benefit of solar heating a pool here are a couple extra weeks at the end and beginning of pool "season". In winter there is not enough sun to heat the pool to a comfortable temp (for us, others may disagree). If you really want a warm pool in December/Jan you'll need a propane (or Nat gas) heater and it will be quite expensive to heat.

[billethkid]

I'll second the vote for Jack's. They have been around for a long time - were the only game in town for some of those years.
Having said that, we found that the only real benefit of solar heating a pool here are a couple extra weeks at the end and beginning of pool "season". In winter there is not enough sun to heat the pool to a comfortable temp (for us, others may disagree). If you really want a warm pool in December/Jan you'll need a propane (or Nat gas) heater and it will be quite expensive to heat.

During low temps in 40's and 50's and extended cold spells think minimum $10 per day to recover and maintain comfortable swimming temps.
Then there is that getting out of a nice warm pool into 50 degree air.....no thanx!!!!

[Road Apple]

Go with Jack’s! Long time provider to The Villages. Very knowledgeable. Do not go with All Solar Energy/Sunologi. Trust me.

[billethkid]

Solar, Lights and More in Ocala installed our solar system years ago.
Very reliable, competitive and very prompt after the sale customer service.

[jojo]

Another vote for Jack's Solar. I just called him about a leak and am on the service list - this after 11 years. We are due for a new roof so know that we will have the solar panels as an additional cost but well worth it in my view.

[askcarl]

Had solar installed during the pool build 2012. Old style, water tubes on the roof. It works best during July. Of course, don't need it in July. A CLEAR south facing install is best. N-E-W never get enough Sun during Nov-Apr. (Sun tracks South during those months)

Waste of $$$ on my install. Will have it removed when we replace the roof.

FWIW.... YMWV Your milage will very.

Carl

[HoosierPa]

Solar for our 14x30 / 7500 gallon pool was $4400 1.5 years ago. Works great.

[worahm]

You might want to consider a pool water heat pump.

My 145,000 BTU heat pump runs about 20 hours to initially raise the water temperature from 65 to 85 degrees in my 15,000 gal. in ground, gunite pool On average, It runs approximately one hour daily to recover the 4 to 6 degree (depending on the time of year) water temperature drop overnight.

Bigger is better. I found a 94,000 BTU heat pump cost more to operate because it ran much longer then a 145,000 heat pump which ran less to increase the water temperature initially and less time to recover the overnight water temperature lost.

A vinyl cover will reduce the overnight water temperature loss by approximately 70%. After one season, I stopped using the vinyl cover because the inconvenience of removing the cover every time I wanted to use the pool was not worth the cost savings.

Everyone I know who used a roof mounted solar heater did not replace the solar heater after they replaced the roof. Many had roof damage caused by poor solar panel installation.

[Villages Kahuna]

Jack’s Solar (352) 267-4903. Quality work, competitive prices, ten year warranty!

[PoolBrews]

The math just doesn't work out for a solar heater for a pool. I'm an engineer, and spent considerable time researching it prior to my pool installation. Solar heating works great when you don't need it (full summer), but can't keep your pool at a reasonable temp (for me that's 85+) during the cold months. It will help warm your pool in the spring and fall, but it's slow, and you may or may not get the temps you want.

Most people that get a solar heater also get a backup heater to assist during spring and fall and take over completely in the winter. I have a heat pump (get the biggest you can find - currently 144K), and during the coldest months it raises my electric bill $30 or so. That is for a month of heating! Note: I would always recommend a heat pump over a gas heater with regards to cost here in Florida - it's not even close. The only reason to get a gas heater is if (1) You have natural gas, (2) You have a spa connected to the pool that needs to be heated quickly, and/or (3) Your pool is extremely large (20,000+ gallons).

When you consider the investment of a solar heater (~$5K), and the fact you need another heater anyway to supplement it, you have to ask yourself:

"What is the payback of $5K vs the $30/month electric increase if I just use the heat pump?"

Keep in mind, that $30/month is only during 3 months of the year. Another 3-5 months will be in the $15-$20/month range, and $0 for the 4 hot months.

I have a lot more details, but the short story is you are better off with just a heat pump for consistent, reliable heat.