Is Solar still cost efficient in Ontario?

[CarlD]

Is that snow in the picture?

Carl

[SalemCastles]

I'm also in Ontario and subjected to Time Of Use Rates. I have a 1hp motor which as stated is about 746 watts or .75 kwh. Because they never run at 100% efficiency let just say that your 3/4 hp draws the same as a 1 hp is rated at while I calculate my 1hp at 1kwh or 75% efficient. At peak rates your paying $1.80 a day. Less than you spend at Timmy's for coffee. As far as the gas usage I turned my Rapak 255 gas heater on and went to the gas meter and timed the amount of flow per minute. I came up with about 2.00 /hr to run the heater. I get approximately 1 degrees rise per hour in my pool. I've looked at a few solar heaters and based on the initial investment it has never been worthwhile to purchase or even build one. I can run my heater for hundreds of hours for the same money which I never do. I use the heater to get the temp up at the beginning of the season ..let the solar blanket maintain it through the week and then a bit on the weekend depending on weather and/or occasion eg. pool party, spouse whining etc The fact that you have a solar system already would make me believe that you're way ahead in just running your pump 24 hrs a day.

[BigSplash]

Thanks for your help everyone!
Glenn you are absolutely right, the upfront fee for the panels may not be worth it for everyone.
My cost was under $500 each, I did the installation myself so saved my self some money there.

[BigSplash]

Yes that is snow in the picture but that is not my installation but a picture from the manufacturer.
These particular panels are capable of heating water even in winter.
Here is a picture of my panels.


I measured the current draw with an Amprobe and got 9.1 Amps
9.1Amps * 120Volts = 1092W or 1.1KW
So this means that it will cost 11 ¢ per hour to run my pump.
It takes my solar heaters eight hours to raise the pool temp from
26C to 30C, so that will only cost me less than a dollar.

I am now satisfied that my solar panels, in terms of dollar value compared
to gas are unbeatable.