New pool and solar questions
 

We are looking into getting a pool installed for the first time. Because of medical reasons, we need the pool to be used year-round. Which now begs the question what is the best way to heat the pool. We have natural gas on the property, and I've been told a heat pump would be cheaper than natural gas to run. I would like to heat the pool to about 84 degrees year -round.

My roof is 22 years old, and I'm about due for a new roof so will my pay be better with a hot water solar or pv electric panels to run the heat pump. I've been told neither would get me to 84 during the cold cloudy days. The pool has to be located on the north due to property shape and the panels would be on the south. I would like to hear from others who have had this situation. I understand with pv panels i can connect to the electric grid, and even using the pv to run my A/C on peak summer days the return is small. Looking for ideas. Thanks

Solar panels used to generate electricity have been discussed on many threads on this website. Do a search. But, they are not worth the investment because the payback period is too long.

Go with the gas heater and solar hot water for the pool.
As far as the heat pump goes, you'll be using it during the colder months, trying to pull heat out of already cold air, it works to a point then it struggles. Homes with heat pumps have emergency heat, with is electric heater strips because the heat pumps can't get enough heat in the colder months.

The solar hot water will cost you a little more in pump run time and speed. Yes, in the winter months it won't provide a lot of heat, but it will help maintain the temperature. Use the gas heat to supplement and it won't have to run long. The gas heater will put between 300-400,000 BTUs of heat into the water no matter what the temperature, a heat pump, not even close.

Since you have a south facing exposure for the solar, you win! Tell them to fill every inch they can with the pool water solar panels. They'll tell you you don't need that much, not in the summer of course, in the winter every square foot of solar is that much less gas to use.

For the PV there are 2 questions to ask, 1) what's the ROI (return on investment) - how long will it take to recover what you invest by the money you save, if it's more than 5 years, walk away. 2) What it the typical maintenance cycle - how long until you may need to start replacing panels (and how much are they). If the maintenance cycle is less than the ROI, walk away, every time you need to replace a panel or inverter or battery or anything else, it lengthens the ROI.

My experience so far in The Villages, I've had a pool 4 years, it is comfortable (80+) 10 months out of the year on just the solar. I have gas heat (300K btu), the last time I used it raised my 15,000 gal pool from about 70 to 86 in just under 3 hours when family come in in the winter and wanted to swim.

If you want a hot tub included with the pool and want to use it in the winter, gas will bring it up to temperature (103) in 15-30 min starting from about 50 degrees.

I don't believe salesman, I believe engineers, I was both and never trusted my coworkers while in sales.

No experience. I have wondered if solar electric would be a good option. They will produce electric every day and what you do not need it electric would be stored by Duke until you need it. (I think you might have an $11 a month charge). The reason for the panels is that on poor solar days you get the electric from Duke and replace it on good days. If electric pool heat makes sense then probably go with whole house AFTER your new roof. I would not expect a return on investment but then you did not expect a return on the pool.

OP, you might want to look into a larger spa (like a swim spa), much lower cost than a pool, very quick installation, and easily available year round. We have 6 person (8' by 8') hot tub that I use year round. From what I have seen your pool will be about 1 year from order date to use date. Do not use solar PV for your heat source, use solar HOT water, BUT these appear to be much less effective in the winter, so you will need an additional heat source for the pool.
The larger spa will cost much less to operate, will have lots of therapeutic jets, and if you were like me, I keep the temperature at 102 for relieving sore muscles.

We have a pump that pushes water through the panels on the roof and it only works in the warm weather months. We have a buried tank to heat it in cold weather and it costs an arm and a leg.

Gas heater plus solar water panels.
Heat pumps just can not do the job during the cold days of our winters.
Once the night time temps start going below 70 the differential to get to the 80+ degrees just gets too great for the solar panels to "catch up".
Gas heater can do it. The colder the outdoor temp the more expensive it gets.

We have a gas heater with solar water panels. Like HVAC for your house, it can't keep up with the BTU's of gas and cannot get the pool warm enough in the cooler months. My wife likes the water temperature close to 90. I joke that she is actually swimming- Su Vide. We use the solar water panels in the warmest months alone and both in the other months. Solar alone will not suffice in the winter or on cloudy days.
Remember that in the coldest of months, unless you are submerged up to your chin, the cold air temperature will make your upper body cold and become unpleasant.

I absolutely have to argue against those that condemn the heat pump.
As a installer just look at the facts. BTUs are BTUs. The ops are telling you to use gas, ok let's do the math. Your average home furnace is between 60-100 BTUs.
Imagine running 4/6 of them at a time.Second check with your roof contractors because most will void your warranty with non approved penetrations. A new heat pump of today's standard will more than adequately heat your pool in Florida weather! New heat pumps heat down to the 20 degree zone and are deadly efficient if sized correctly!!! Ask the ops how many times there emergency heat comes on in there house through out the winter, I can tell you,only to defrost,and how many times do we have frost. Remember just because everyone else has make ill fated technology related decisions, you don't have to. If heat pumps don't work why are they in stalled in so many homes up north!! Just the facts. They do work!!!

I have been looking at putting in a pool, but all contractors are telling me they are booked into 2022. Just plan ahead.

Solar
 

We have solar. The panels are on the south and west, the pool is on the west side. The most I’ve seen it raise by solar alone, 10 degrees so it works in the spring and fall but not in the winter. I don’t know but having solar and electric would seem to be best if they can do it. I have no knowledge of the possible ways to incorporate that. We don’t use the pool much anymore so I’ve never actually looked in to it. Good luck

The first thing you’ll need to stock up on is PATIENCE! It has now been mOre than a year since we first called to get an appointment with the pool company, and more than 9 months since they started the dig. We’re still probably 4 months from completion.

Extremely frustrating, but not much that can be done.

For those who have propane, is there anything to worry about with an underground storage tank in the yard? Many years ago, we couldn’t get homeowners on a house we were going to buy because of the UST.

Thanks for the info. I'm getting ready to ditch solar and heat mine with a heat pump.
Can you tell me who you install for?

Consider carefully having a pool installed. Are you really willing to spend the money for upkeep and heat when there is likely a Villages pool near your home? Give yourself 60 days swimming daily then re-evaluate your decision to build your own pool. I know a number of people who had the same idea you had. Enthusiastic at first and now regret having that big bathtub in the backyard that requires nothing but time and money to keep up. Good luck with your decision.