Using the pool deck as a solar collector

[ltcdfancher]

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?

[MSchad]

There is rebar and/or wire mesh in the concrete that you also need to consider. Your piping would have to be below that, making it even harder to warm the water.

[ltcdfancher]

Good point. Having the piping below the reinforcements would negate the risk of saw-cutting damaging the pipes, wouldn’t it?

[asianthree]

On our way to Disney there is a house that has solar panels on the outside of their birdcage. For along time (70mph TP) the glimpses looked like there was a 3-4’ privacy fence.
While in stop go traffic one day could see they were solar panels, angled slightly. Giving them an interesting privacy fence, and solar without effecting the roof.
Sadly the birdcage and panels were destroyed by Milton. Will be interesting to see if they will rebuild the same cage and panels.

Not sure if you have room but might be an option. We aren’t a fan of the panel look on the roof. So far happy to use liquid solar cover, that even on a cold night of 42 we only lost 4 degrees. The nights of 55-60, a 2 degrees loss. On full winter heat or Chiller in summer our Khw use is 12-16KhW per day, with liquid cover.
I buy mine on Amazon, but any pool place has product.

[tophcfa]

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?

Interesting idea, but my intuition tells me it’s probably not practical. I doubt the concrete gets that hot a couple inches below the surface except during the very hottest months, when you want your pool to be cooler, not hotter. Concrete simply doesn’t conduct heat like a solar panel designed to heat pool water. Also, circulating cooler pool water through the concrete slab would quickly cool the slab down, negating any long term heating benefits. Then there is the fact that your pool pump would have to be programmed to run at a much higher setting to circulate the water through the slab, causing premature wear on the pump and a higher electric bill. If you don’t already have a variable speed pool pump, which are more expensive, that would be an issue. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an interesting idea and I applaud your thought process, but I suspect that it would already be happening if it was efficient.

We had radiant heat (a heating zone involving pex tubing run through the basement slab) put in our northern home during new construction and it works great. It is highly efficient and effective for our application. Once the slab gets warm, it holds heat for a long time and the heat radiates up into the floor above and the solid log walls. The key to its efficiency is that the zone automatically turns on when our oil burner would be running regardless to meet our hot water needs. We effectively get free residual heat when the oil burner would be running anyways.

I wouldn’t shy away from a rooftop pool solar system because of roof attachment concerns. If it’s installed during new construction you can have ice and water shield put under the solar panel location that is self sealing when penetrated. We have never had a leaking problem with the pool solar panels on our roof in the Villages. The solar is plenty adequate to adequately heat the pool water, with the pool uncovered, between mid March through October. During November and the first half of March, the solar alone is adequate if we keep the pool covered when not using it. December through February we need to supplement the solar with the electric heat pump and keep the pool covered when not using it. With that system we are able to use the pool year round. Since we rarely need to run the A/C during the times we need to use the pools heat pump, our electric bill remains relatively constant year round, Hope that helps : )