POOLS: Fiberglass or concrete? Solar, gas or electric heater

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Old 11-05-2019, 05:01 PM
Northerner52 Northerner52 is offline
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Default POOLS: Fiberglass or concrete? Solar, gas or electric heater

Would love your experiences owning these! Leaning towards fiberglass/natural gas.
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Old 11-05-2019, 05:14 PM
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For solar I assume you mean heating water on the roof. I am wondering if solar electric panels would be better as you will generate electricity every day (and the utility will "store" it for you if you do not use it would be better. I would think in terms of a solar system to support your total electric needs.
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Old 11-05-2019, 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Northerner52 View Post
Would love your experiences owning these! Leaning towards fiberglass/natural gas.
We like T&D. Chose concrete. Have solar panels but they only heat when it is sunny and warm enough. We can't use them from November through February. Have a buried propane tank but rarely use it because it is so expensive.
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Old 11-05-2019, 05:55 PM
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concrete and natural gas is best - I have owned them all over the years
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Old 11-05-2019, 06:04 PM
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After owning several different types of pools in the past I prefer the gunite. Hayward just started manufacturing a heat pump / chiller that I purchased last year. In addition to heating, it will cool the pool up to 12 degrees in the summer. I’m keeping the pool at 85 year round. 😎
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Old 11-05-2019, 06:21 PM
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T&D for design and construction.
Gunite pool and waterfall.
Solar panels plus natural gas back up.
We use the pool daily from March through December.

The gas will heat the pool in January/February, however....the night time temps get so low it cools the water to a point where it becomes too expensive to heat the water for the short use per day. Plus it is just too cold to be out in a bathing suit going in....and worse coming out.

What we save by being out of air conditioner season is used up in gas bill to heat the pool.
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Old 11-05-2019, 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by vbsheriff View Post
After owning several different types of pools in the past I prefer the gunite. Hayward just started manufacturing a heat pump / chiller that I purchased last year. In addition to heating, it will cool the pool up to 12 degrees in the summer. I’m keeping the pool at 85 year round. ������
How warm would the water get in the summer months if you didn't cool it? Enquiring minds want to know!

kathy
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Old 11-05-2019, 07:34 PM
Northerner52 Northerner52 is offline
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Good question Kathy. They water does get warm in at the public pools!
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How warm would the water get in the summer months if you didn't cool it? Enquiring minds want to know!

kathy
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Old 11-05-2019, 07:53 PM
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Hard to beat these benefits: Fiberglass vs Concrete Pool Cost Comparison | Sun Pools

I like the cooling benefit of the heat pump!
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Old 11-05-2019, 09:23 PM
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Wow -that is perhaps one of the most inaccurate comparison charts I have ever seen! I have owned a pool for over 40 years - vinyl liner for 25 years, fiberglass for 10, and gunite for 6. I would only go with gunite in Florida. If you go with a Wet Edge or PebbleTec interior, you never have to acid wash or re-marcite. They have a lifetime warranty. And they don't fade in Florida's sun... but fiberglass will. It will start to look pretty bad in about 9 years, and there are no easy fixes.

Fiberglass will cost you more initially, but it should be installed quicker - about 4 weeks faster. Chemicals are the same for both if you use a salt generator, and no issues with tiles. No idea why they list electric costs higher and pool service as not needed for fiberglass. You need the same amount for both. I'm pretty sure this chart was made by a company that likes to install fiberglass shells.

With Wet Edge and PebbleTec, your interior options are huge, but with fiberglass you are severely limited. Same for design.

Just my two cents - but please do a little more research before you decide.
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Old 11-05-2019, 09:31 PM
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FYI... a little more factual:

Are Fiberglass Pools Better Than Gunite Pools?
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Old 11-05-2019, 11:39 PM
vbsheriff vbsheriff is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kathyspear View Post
How warm would the water get in the summer months if you didn't cool it? Enquiring minds want to know!

kathy
I have a 30,000 gallon pool that would regularly get to 90 plus in the summer without the chiller. The pool is in full sun all day. I keep my hot tub at 102. 90 was not refreshing.
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Old 11-06-2019, 06:07 PM
Arubagirl33 Arubagirl33 is offline
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Originally Posted by graciegirl View Post
We like T&D. Chose concrete. Have solar panels but they only heat when it is sunny and warm enough. We can't use them from November through February. Have a buried propane tank but rarely use it because it is so expensive.
Hi Gracie ~ Can you provide additional info. about the propane tank?
Is it ok/safe to let it sit without use and how full is it?
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Old 11-12-2019, 10:54 PM
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Hi Gracie ~ Can you provide additional info. about the propane tank?
Is it ok/safe to let it sit without use and how full is it?
Any advice/
Response?!
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Old 11-13-2019, 08:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorbill1 View Post
concrete and natural gas is best - I have owned them all over the years
Agree.

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gas, owning, experiences, leaning, fiberglass/natural

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