Keeping the Water Warm

[CoffeeBean]

Wow. Thanks for the detailed reply!

Let me see if I can be more precise about the water. Since the trees are so high now (and there's no way to top all of them to let in more sunlight) the pool water rarely gets above 76 degrees F even when our ambient temps are in the 80s and 90s as they were here this summer. If I turn on the burner and set at 83 it'll get there but within a couple of days it's back down to the 70s.

I see what you're saying about getting moisture in between the foam and the pool walls. I really hadn't considered that angle. We also tossed around the idea of a wrapper, sort of like the one you put on your hot water heater but 1) I don't think one exists that large and 2) unwrapped insulation would be a nightmare when it got wet and 3) since you mentioned moisture I'm sure this idea would also result in it as well. Oh well.

As for the solar idea. There are a couple of your comments I need you to explain. Thank you by the way for assuming I'd understand it all. :-)

You said "You could run (2) 3/4" PEX lines INSIDE a 2" S-40 PVC line, and bury it just under the surface." What are PEX lines and the surface of?? The ground? If so, why do I need to bury it? To avoid heat loss?

The only place that gets enough sun would be our garage roof. The pool pump is about 40 ft from the garage edge. From the ground to the roof top is about another 50 feet. Would the commercial pump be able to move it those distances?

From everything you wrote I'm fairly sure setting this up is beyond my expertise. Would a solar installation company know how to do something like this for a pool?

Thanks again for your input.

[PoolDoc]

1. Search HomeDepot for "PEX tubing". (or Google)

2. You don't have to bury the line, but I assumed it might be running across lawn, and that you'd prefer not to leave it exposed.

3. The circulator could NOT perform the initial lift. Once the lines were FILLED, it could handle the circulation. But if an air lock occurred, you'd have to replicate the startup. To lift 40', you need 25 psi. That's a design problem what would require special consideration. Many AG pumps won't reliably generate 25 psi.

4. Could solar contractors do it? No, not as a rule. Or, yes, but only with a massively oversized and inefficient pump. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it -- I know how to do it, because (a) I was a plumber, (b) I've done controls and energy management work, (c) I have a good practical knowledge of circulatory hydraulics, (d) I have a degree in engineering management (abt 3/4 of a full engineering degree) and remember a fair bit of it. That's an uncommon combination.

'Techy' DIY types, who are willing to do a LOT of leg work, and are able to do the trial-and-error could succeed. But finding a contractor to do it? Not really.

But, you could ask. There ARE some very sharp pool guys out there; they are just the exception, rather than the rule. But you might be lucky, and find one.

Sorry for the problem.