Solar pool heating

[jimbo2012]

Anyone have a solar water system installed for their pool I was wondering how many panels were installed and about what size pool.

Of course how it's working out.

Approx cost etc.

[keithwand]

10 facing west and 2 facing south.
Installer fought me on the south because he would have to run more pipe and in the end added 2 on the south. he could have easily done 5 on the south.
Pool is 15X30 3.5 feet to 5 feet.
Gains roughly 1.5 to 2 degrees an hour.

Our neighbor has 25 panels facing north and obviously not happy.

[jimbo2012]

10 facing west and 2 facing south.
Installer fought me on the south because he would have to run more pipe and in the end added 2 on the south. he could have easily done 5 on the south.
Pool is 15X30 3.5 feet to 5 feet.
Gains roughly 1.5 to 2 degrees an hour.

Did he surface mount the pipes and run then around the eves or go thru the attic?

Our neighbor has 25 panels facing north and obviously not happy.

Wow, they need to be moved, maybe the installer forgot his compass :ohdear:

[ijusluvit]

10 facing west and 2 facing south.
Installer fought me on the south because he would have to run more pipe and in the end added 2 on the south. he could have easily done 5 on the south.
Pool is 15X30 3.5 feet to 5 feet.
Gains roughly 1.5 to 2 degrees an hour.

Our neighbor has 25 panels facing north and obviously not happy.

Can you tell us who your installer was?

[keithwand]

Pipes go along the roof line and not through the attic or along the eves. Looks crazy but once they build a house next door you won't see it from the street.
They knew our neighbors faced North but said at the time 12 would work and now he has 25.
Guarantee 80 degrees through early Dec. on a "Normal" winter with the cover on. Normal by whose standards?
Good thing is I paid for 10 panels and they ate 2 panels so can't totally complain.
Installer comes highly recommended......

[Bogie Shooter]

Jack's Solar.

[keithwand]

????

[jimbo2012]

Pipes go along the roof line and not through the attic or along the eves. Looks crazy but once they build a house next door you won't see it from the street.
They knew our neighbors faced North but said at the time 12 would work and now he has 25.
Guarantee 80 degrees through early Dec. on a "Normal" winter with the cover on. Normal by whose standards?
Good thing is I paid for 10 panels and they ate 2 panels so can't totally complain.
Installer comes highly recommended......

Well I think it would be a cleaner, better looking install if those pipes were routed thru the attic or at least thu the roof into the eve, down a conduit to the pool equip.

I have seen some VERY unprofessional installs in my travels thru TV

Do U recall what brand panel was used by yourself and your neighbor?

R U satisfied with the temps produced?

[Bogie Shooter]

????

Jack's Solar (http://jacksolar.com/)

[jimbo2012]

Well I just copied this pic off his web site

http://jacksolar.com/images/banner.jpg

The pipes on the right side R IMO an eyesore, then to wrap them around the roof eve is worse.

I would have preferred to see them thu the roof.

In fact that whole system could have had the pipes run down the chimney and look a million times better.

You will not see those pipe runs on my roof.

[skyguy79]

Well I just copied this pic off his web site

The pipes on the right side R IMO an eyesore, then to wrap them around the roof eve is worse.

I would have preferred to see them thu the roof.

In fact that whole system could have had the pipes run down the chimney and look a million times better.

You will not see those pipe runs on my roof.The picture you're looking at is not typical of TV installations. I have the system and I would consider the panels on the roof and the pool pump itself an eye sore before I would the pipes. I can't view the pipes from the house and neither can my neighbors readily see them. I also can't see them from the lanai, pool or birdcage and haven't noticed them from the road unless I was intentionally looking for them. I prefer this setup rather than having the roof broken through and then having them broken back out of the house near the pump as well as whatever was needed to be done to get them there. I really wouldn't appreciate all the additions expenses there would be to accomplish that kind of installation, and I'd bet it would be considerable. If you and your wife are still planning on stopping by to see our color scheme when you get back, you can view the solar setup at the same time.

[jimbo2012]

Yes we would like to stop by after we get back, tks

[spk7951]

Some thoughts about the solar:

Personal preference but I think less holes in the roof is better.
Depending upon which side of the house faces south you may not see the pipes.
We did experience a leak from one of the connections in the supply line to the panels. Have no idea how long it had been leaking but no doubt it would have made a mess if that pipe was in the attic.
Lastly our system has a freeze override to turn on the filter in cold weather, that also flows water into the solar panels. Now this may not happen often but I can just imagine the sound of that water flowing through those pipes inside our attic about 3am.

[jimbo2012]

those pipes should drain down at the end of the day when the temps in the panel R lower than the pool, not 3 AM.

If you system is pumping water thru the panels on a freeze condition, that is incorrect, they should drain as soon as they cool.

No matter how it's installed you have holes in the roof, (at least a dozen just from the tie downs etc.) With today's sealers they hold up as well. Look as your roof fans, sewer vent pipes, solar lights all go thru the roof.

R they leaking?

[Bogie Shooter]

Well I just copied this pic off his web site

http://jacksolar.com/images/banner.jpg

The pipes on the right side R IMO an eyesore, then to wrap them around the roof eve is worse.

I would have preferred to see them thu the roof.

In fact that whole system could have had the pipes run down the chimney and look a million times better.

You will not see those pipe runs on my roof.

Wonder why everyone does it this way rather than cutting more holes in the roof? And if all in TV are done this way how can it be an eyesore?

[jimbo2012]

I suppose beauty in the eye of the be holder is true...
---
As to why, simple, it takes more time and expertise.

I estimate it will take 3-4 hours extra time to hide the pipes.

So an average solar system of $2750 will cost $3,250 done in what I feel is a more professional level of workmanship.

[Golfingnut]

Well I think it would be a cleaner, better looking install if those pipes were routed thru the attic or at least thu the roof into the eve, down a conduit to the pool equip.

I have seen some VERY unprofessional installs in my travels thru TV

Do U recall what brand panel was used by yourself and your neighbor?

R U satisfied with the temps produced?

Could I buy you a beer please. I have never seen anyone complain so much about pool solar. Do you plan to start a solar business in The Villages?

[jimbo2012]

Could I buy you a beer please.

Sure

I have never seen anyone complain so much about pool solar. Do you plan to start a solar business in The Villages?

Maybe I should, I know I could do better than those here that do ...for sure!

Maybe if folks knew better what to expect they would also complain.:blahblahblah:

[spk7951]

those pipes should drain down at the end of the day when the temps in the panel R lower than the pool, not 3 AM.

If you system is pumping water thru the panels on a freeze condition, that is incorrect, they should drain as soon as they cool.

No matter how it's installed you have holes in the roof, (at least a dozen just from the tie downs etc.) With today's sealers they hold up as well. Look as your roof fans, sewer vent pipes, solar lights all go thru the roof.

R they leaking?


As I said my preference is for less holes in MY roof. If you prefer to add holes to your roof, have a ball.
Running water thru the roof panels in a freeze is incorrect? Where did you get that info and why does the computer system come with freeze protection for the solar panels??? Of course not to be forgotten is the fact that the solar valves are about four feet above ground and while the panels do drain down at the end of the day for my money I would prefer to err on running that system in the event of a freeze.

And as for holes in the roof big difference between nail holes and running three inch pipe through the roof.

[kittygilchrist]

Jimbob, I'll take all the advice you want to share. I know you know solar and I know dancing.
Kitty

[jimbo2012]

Jimbob, I'll take all the advice you want to share. I know you know solar and I know dancing.
Kitty

Ok we can teach each other then!!!!!

[graciegirl]

howdyboy.