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