The consensus around here is no, do not use them in your pool. You may find some old threads about them if you use the search feature in my signature below and search for liquid solar instead of solar pills.
Re: Solarpills?
The consensus around here is no, do not use them in your pool. You may find some old threads about them if you use the search feature in my signature below and search for liquid solar instead of solar pills.
Re: Solarpills?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy 70% of pool heat is lost due to evaporation. You can either use some type of cover to help reduce the evaporation, or a heater to replace the lost heat (or both). Here's the D.O.E. information on the subject: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_hom.../mytopic=13140
rectangle 11.5K gal IG concrete pool;; 125sf cartridge filter; 2hp 1 speed pump; K-2006, k-1766; PF:10
Re: Solarpills?
Do they harm your pool?
Re: Solarpills?
Do you know what's in them?
12'x24' oval 7.7K gal AG vinyl pool; ; Hayward S270T sand filter; Hayward EcoStar SP3400VSP pump; hrs; K-2006; PF:16
Re: Solarpills?
they are not harmful and are basically paraffin and an undisclosed fatty or waxy substance dissolved in isopropyl alcohol. (Isopropyl alcohol is the only dangerous product listed on the MSDS since it is toxic. FWIW, both 70% and 99% isopropyl alcohol are commonly sold as 'rubbing alcohol' at the corner drugstore so if you don't drink the liquid inside the pill or fish you are fine. The product in all these pills, fish, etc. is HeatSavr Liquid, which is sold by the gallon for commercial installations and is dosed with a peristaltic pump, the idea it that it forms a waxy or oily layer on the surface of the water that (they claim) is only one molecule thick.
IF the surface of the water is perfectly still (such as an indoor pool with no water movement or air circulation with all pumps shut off overnight) then a best case is that the liquid can retain perhaps 6 degrees of heat that would otherwise be lost by evaporation.
In an outdoor pool that is subject to wind currents but the pumps are off it might retain a degree or two at best.
If there is water circulation it cannot form the protective barrier to prevent evaporation heat lost.
General consensus is your money is better spent on a solar cover instead of the pills or fish.
Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.
Re: Solarpills?
Well, maybe we will put a solar heater on the roof and call it good.
Re: Solarpills?
Solar heater on the roof plus thermal blanket - not good, awesome at no incremental cost.
12'x24' oval 7.7K gal AG vinyl pool; ; Hayward S270T sand filter; Hayward EcoStar SP3400VSP pump; hrs; K-2006; PF:16
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