pool heating-what i've learned that may help you

[gonefishin]

Hi Tenax,

I haven't owned a pool that long and don't have a gas heater, so please understand that the thoughts I give are just that....thoughts.

First off...I'm glad to read that things seem like they're going to work out for you. But I have to wonder if a call to the pool store (where you purchased the heater) may be in order. If you give them a call and explain that you've tried the heater out...and while you are happy with the heater by itself...that you made an error in sizing it to your pool and that it doesn't do a sufficient job. Would they be willing to take this (like new, I'm supposing) heater in for an exchange on a larger unit.

If you could do this while the heater is still new...it may save you some money in gas consumption from month to month.

In addition to the solar cover AND whichever heater you decide to stick with. Have you given any thought to running a solar heater as well? This way you can supplement the gas heater when the sun is available. Just a few thoughts.

good luck...and happy swimmin',
dan

[tenax]

the heater was bought and shipped freight from the u.s.(less than half the price versus buying it in canada) so that's not an option.

since i've started this thread, i've obviously picked up more experience. i would never end up running my pool past mid may to end of sept anyhew..the debateable time is the from mid to end of september..

heater is turning out to be fine for my purposes otherwise. it was able to get up to the optimum temp i want for swimming and beyond in spite of cool nights. (maybe a silly fear, but i had a fear nonetheless that it wouldn't be able to heat the pool up to 82 or potentially 85) it can do it..it's actually better if i can't heat it up reasonably to like 95 as that's where my wife would want it at all the time..82 is good enough for the kids and i, she's fine with 84, 85..even though she says she would like 90+. i said if you want a sauna, pull out the bank book, but that's not the intent of the pool!

i considered solar heating before i purchased this heater..to totally get away from ngas..it was not feasible unless i put the solar grid on the ground for the square footage required. (something like twice your pool size is a good measure)

but now that you mention it, i wonder if anyone here uses a combination grid or if that's possible? i do have one roof with a south exposure I believe that's what you want..or is it west?) anyway, i do have a roof that faces south that is about 400 square ft..that's why i didn't consider solar..but if i did that size, it would be enough heat for half the pool and it's on the back side of my yard by the pool so it would be feasible to run pipe...not sure my new pump would have the suction power. i have a 3/4 hp i could theoretically run as well as the main one..hmmm..i have to get more info