Average Maintenance Costs?

[s6skuzy]

So far, all three quotes have included solar covers - only one has included a solar reel. I had assumed it was the blue bumpy cover that you put over the pool to heat it and keep water from evaporating.

When you refer to having the solar cover "put in" - is this something different than what I described above?

Thanks...

[matt4x4]

Mkelly is talking about solar panels, not solar covers, solar covers are just a blue bubble wrap that floats on the pool, retains the heat over the night time, a reel is between 200 and 500 bucks - that just lets you roll the cover up neatly.
Solar panels are black sheets that your water pumps through and dramatically increases the temperature of your water without burning up any more electricity or gas, it uses the sun's energy to heat your pool - a great investment and return on investment. If you have the room to place them or a roof to put them on they are the best! I would not even consider a gas or electric heater, matter of fact, I was advised against them by everyone that has owned one since the operating costs are ridiculous. Solar panels cost less on innitial purchase cost than a heater would too, so you save right away.

[s6skuzy]

Thank you for that clarification! By any chance, would you be able to refer me to a website that would show what these panels look like? I live in the inside of a subdivision with some rules - and I guess, depending on the appearance or size, this concept might not be approved. Thanks again.

[matt4x4]

there are many available, most look like this:
these are mine - on the ground, then there are some you can customize in size length to suit your install...like the links to these other threads

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...4/100_2895.jpg

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3409

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...highlight=part

[Pool_Mike]

WoW!! how in the heck are you guys only spending about 150.00 a year on the pump it-self?


I been reading off garden web and the average joe is spending at least $80.00 more a month on it's electricity bill every month.

I don't know, maybe b/c in NY or MI the summer is not as hot?

Unless I mistaken this, I feel that I will be spending at least $80-$100 additional a month just on the electric due the the pump usage

[mkelley]

That's certainly the case with me, Mike. I feel my electric bill is about $80 per month for the pump.

However, recently I've lowered the number of hours it runs and I'm hoping to cut that in half. Let's say that's so -- then $160 per season would be correct for a four month pool season (quite often the case without solar).

Before we bought the pool I understood the pump would be the biggest user of electricity next to air conditioning, and it's turned out to be the case. Then again, I have a 2 1/2hp pump (which apparently is overkill for our size pool).

Perhaps if you correctly size the pump AND run it the proper number of hours to clean the pool without over running it, then you can keep your costs down.

[mkelley]

We're also in a community with rules -- indeed, I doubt whether you could have *more* rules than we do <bg> (over 55 communities are just paranoid, I guess). In any case, not only is solar allowed, it *has* to be allowed (due to federal energy guidelines) so I would assume the case would be true with you as well (at least if you can put the panels on your roof).

Indeed, while we need to get permission to plant a bush anywhere on our yard, and can't have a flagpole or paint our house an "unapproved" color, folks here just go ahead and install solar without asking. I suspect if you start looking around at your community you will see that is the case, that there are homes with pools that have solar panels on the roof.