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Hi,
New guy here in CA and I am looking to get Solar Installed and have looked into 3 different companies. Any have good/bad experiences with them?
1) Heliocol - Great Warranty (12 year parts/labor) , No roof penetration
2) Fafco - Better Price and 12 year parts warranty
3) Solar Industries
Which panels are the best??? I am confused because you know how salesman are. I am asking for an unbiased opinion.
Thanks,
Danny
I bought a set of 4x20 Sungrabber panels from ebay.
After extensive research, I opted to build my own system (including the panels themselves) from components that I bought from www.powermat.com.
I'm about 2/3 through the install; I plan on doing a full write-up when I'm finished.
pj
Thats very interesting. I look forward to seeing your write up. How much total do you have invested in this project?Quote:
Originally Posted by pj1016
I have heard great things about Powermat. Looking at their website as a technical person, it all works. I would really go with them if I had it to do over again. I went with a system that is manufactured by Gull Industries in CA and I am not really happy at the moment. My dealer decided to leave the solar pool heating system and I need service and they are terrible at this. I have called Gull directly and they are no help. The initial design was actually not great.
Ken at Powermat has gone to a lot of trouble to make his designs really work. I would support his efforts if I could.
I just bought a Fafco solar mat. I like it for two reasons: it's a single 4' x 20' mat where other companies use two 2' x 20' mats so less plumbing and 2) it has a built-in bypass valve. Also the entire mat consists of small tubes side by side so it seems like you get the maximum amount of heating for the space.
Peter
Tx for the feeback but Does anyone had any experience with Heliocol. They are offering a 12 year warranty Parts AND LABOR.
I think Heliocol is a really nice system (they used it on the 1996 Atlanta Games' pool roof to heat the Olympic pool) the only drawback is that they don't sell systems for owner builder, they only sell fully installed systems and their price is pretty steep. I'm kind of a handy guy so I'd rather isntall one myself, but if I were to pay someone I'd look at the Heliocol for sure.
Heliocol is one of the least efficient collectors on the market. Their big claim is that they do not cause roof rot - which is a lot of rubbish. None of the solar collectors out there (that have been around for more than 10 years) damage roofs unless they leak - then you have a problem...Quote:
Originally Posted by Dannyo
For a comparison of collector efficiencies, check out the ratings at the Florida Solar Energy Center's web-site. Bear in mind that the tests results posted are the best the products can do. The tests are conducted at next to zero wind speed. THe greater the wind speed the less heat a solar collector will deliver. Collectors with exposed tubes (especially Heliocol) cool off much faster than those with no exposed tubes (like Techno-Solis).
If you're looking for a solar system for an above-ground pool, then go with the cheaper 4' x 20' design - they only last 5 years at best. If you have an inground pool -go for a better quality product..
This is sooo confusing. When I looked at the FSEC website, I found that the Heliocol is rated at 1000 btu/sq ft and the Techno-Solis is rated lower at 958/btu/sq ft. Here is the link to the site:Quote:
Originally Posted by sundad
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/solar/testce...tr/tprpool.htm
Am I missing something?
Looked like the helico were 956 and the Tech were 958. Looks like the same efficiency to me. Difference of 2 really not that much.
I have a 24' AG with a 4x20 and my pool is 85 degrees after 2 days. I am in shock. I run my pump from noon until 5pm each day with direct sunlight.
Hey, that's Great news!! Is that with just one 4x20 kit?Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxxFusion
What was the general temp before solar?
Congrats on the install!
Maxfusion,
Looking into the same panels you are talking about. Just wondered how bendy they are?? Are yours on your roof or the ground? We want to hook these up but aren't sure the best way. Was thinking of possible leaning them against the pool at an angle but wasn't sure if they would bend around some or stay straight. Also was wondering if they were hard to install? Thanks.
Yes just one 4x20 kit.Quote:
Originally Posted by CallMeIshmael
The temp of the pool was 80 degrees before the solar panels.
They seem pretty flexible even after installed.Quote:
Originally Posted by ellenicol
I have them laying on the ground right now next to my pool. I am debating wether to build a rack out of treated lumber or go with a PVC rack and mount it on my privacy fence posts up off the ground. I am leaning towards the RVC rack and mounting it. I would love to put them on the roof but I dont have a first floor to mount them on.
You wont be able to lean them on the pool. I have 2 2x20 panels that sit side by side. Most of the kits come this way. I beleive there is one company out there that has one 4x20 but not sure who. I just wanted to get them installed to benefit from the heat. Its been high of 80s for a while here and water temps needed a boost. Its was really easy to install. My kit came with the diverter valve so thats in there too. I can see having to turn off the panels once it gets really warm. I dont want to be swimming in 90 degree water.
I just went to the LPS and got a bunch of their bulk hose for .75/foot. I will hard pipe it in once I move it later.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxxFusion
Thanks for the advice. Do you think you could find a link to the ones you purchased on ebay. The one's I found don't say anything about a diverter kit coming with them. We might be able to put ours on the roof but my husband is worried that they will be an eyesore on the ground and will be in the way. I don't really care I want a warm pool.:)
4x20' Swimming Pool Solar Heater Panel w/ Diverter Kit
If you are able to put them on the roof do it. I lucklily have mine between the pool and my privacy fence. Its pretty much unuseable space anyway. If I could pick I would put them on the roof.
Thank you so much. Your help is greatly appreciated!!! One more question though... what kind of piping do I use to get the water to the roof and is there a way to fasten the panels to the roof w/out buying a roof kit too. Sorry that was 2 questions. Hope I'm not being a bother and if you aren't sure could you direct me where I can find out. I'm really new at this and just want to make sure I do it right with as little money spent as possible:)Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxxFusion
I'm shopping too & it does get to be a lot of info.Quote:
Originally Posted by ellenicol
This page of Powermat.com is probably the best in making sense of the plumbing, at least that I've come across. It should help put those pieces together, as I had all the same questions just this week :) . While your there, check out other pages on roof & other installations. He covers them excellently. I think everyone would agree that roof kits are not a place to cut corners. The panels could become large kites that fly off the roof, or at least pull off your roofing tiles if the panels aren't strapped down. :eek: Here's a great current thread with photos of a complete solar install.
I agree on the roof rack. I dont think they are that expensive but I would just got with one. You dont want the wind to get underneath a panel and it takes off. You could have quite a mess on your hands with the water leaking everywhere. On my install I had a problem where one of my hose clamps wasnt tight and the hose poped off while I wasnt there. I come back to find a big mess. The water was everywhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by ellenicol
As for piping I was going with 1.5" or 2" schedule 40 PVC from Home Depot. I will most likely be using 1.5" on this project. Your existing flexible hoses on the pump and filter are all 1.5".
I just had a solar heating system installed for my pool (a 420 SF in-ground pool). Fafco panels and the install was done by Performance Solar out of Escondido, CA. I live in Orange County, and so far I am marginally satisfied. The lack of sun these last few days after the install is pretty unwelcome, but the high temperature has helped somewhat. Hopefully it will get sunnier here soon so i can see how well this thing works and if I can truly recommend it. I did have to jump start the pool using my regular heater in conjunction with the solar the day after I installed it (start temp was 85, end temp was 92). My wife likes it high 80s/low 90s. Yesterday it held pretty good at 89 without any supplemental heating. If anything major happens (either positive or negative) I'll post it here.
TCB,
The Fafco panels are very good, but be aware that oversizing your panels (or using a cover) is really required to get the temps you want.
We have a similar pool to yours and started out with 4 4x10 panels and ended up going with 4 more (for a total of 8, natch :>). In a similar climate (central Florida) we can easily get the pool water in the 90's with only a day or so of sun (indeed we've lately been struggling with using the solar to cool the pool down at night, since I don't like the water warmer than 88 and if I start with water at 85 in the morning the sun will heat it to 90 by the end of the day).
If you don't want (or can't have) that many panels then you'll need to use a cover. I think they are a PITA and refuse to have them, but you'll save at least 2 or 3 degrees right now by using one.
Cloudy days will definitely cool a hot pool like you want down quickly -- we had 92 degree water that dropped (even with the panels) to 83 in about three cloudy days. However, today we had about 3 hours of sun and I was quickly able to get the pool back to 87 (I probably could have gotten it to 89 if I had wanted it warmer).
So -- to summarize, make sure you have enough panels (or use a cover), and understand that you will lose temp quickly during cloudy spells.
TCB,
How many square feet of panels did you have installed? Are the panels on a south-facing roof that gets full exposure to the sun?
I installed solar panels on my house a couple of weeks ago; I installed panels with a surface area equivalent to 87% of my pools surface area.
My pool has been between 86-90 degrees ever since.
pj
I too analyzed the options and chose Vortex. I felt the marginal difference in efficiency ratings were inconsequential, and thus let warranty and design drive the decision. Despite the purchase being made 4 years ago, Vortex panels weighed more than its competitors. I had one panel leak, just last month, and they promptly sent a replacement.
The Goldline electronics work fantastic, and capture solar gain whenever it's possible. I'm in the process of researching a smaller .5hp pump that will be plumbed exclusively for the solar.
I had 336 SF worth of panels installed on the roof facing south, and that maxed out the available space. I suppose if I wanted more panels, I could have them installed somewhere else on the roof. But it appears to be working properly for now. It's been pretty sunny here lately and today the pool hit a high of 96. I'm pretty satisfied now, but will keep my optimism in check for those cloudy days. A cover for me is not really an option. I'd most likely sooner use the heater if I needed to. I think without the solar, my pool would probably be between 80-83, depending on the sun and temp. I had been heating it before the solar install, and that's how it got to 85. I'll be posting pics of the install soon. Thanks for the advice.