Heat Pump in the New York/North East Area Make Sense ? Survey Please

[akrauss]

Thanks Al. Unfortunately all the sun I get is on an east/west facing roof. I have NO south facing roof and no other area to lay out such a system.

[CarlD]

Panels can be set on angled racks--they actually face the sun better. I have a FantaSea pool--the deck is the solar heater!

[cleancloths]

I'm in northern NJ and have had a heatpump for 10 years. Its an 85,000 btu unit and my pool is a 20 x 40 inground - works great. Whatever you do make sure to use a solar cover on the pool at night and when not in use - it makes a huge difference. Two years ago I added a pair of 2' by 20' solar panels that just lay on the ground by the fense. They handle all the heating of the pool from late may till mid august. The heat pump is only needed to bring the pool up to temp (like I did two weeks ago) and to provide some extra heat during april and early may and mid august till I close in late sept.

[DanS]

I've had a heat pump in Maryland for 6 years. It cost more than double the price of a propane heater. Now it needs a $1500 repair, and I'm going to get rid of it and switch to propane. For me, I think the up front additional cost was greater than any savings I may have had from using a heat pump. With the house and pool using electricity, I can't say how much it cost to run the heat pump, but I doubt I saved at least $500 per summer, and it only lasted 6 years until the expensive problem. What I dislike is that it only raises the pool temperature a few degrees per day, even running nearly 24 hours per day and using a cover. Last fall, it couldn't even maintain the temperature at the end of the season. I need to run my pool a lot more than I would run it with a more powerful heater, so this is an additional cost. Whatever you choose, the solar cover was a big help, and they don't cost much.

[akrauss]

Thanks DanS. That is helpful insight. I must say that since I posted this thread, I also posted several threads on the www.gardenweb pool & spa forum, which raised other concerns, including the 2010 mandated USEPA change from the R22 refrigerant to a more "ozone friendly" R410-a variety. For your reference, the thread can be found at the following link:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...510501.html?17
Thus, between the refrigerant issue, the additional upfront cost, a difficult and costly wiring situation (requiring 200+ feet and an upgrade to my breaker panel) and being subjected to temps in the 30's and 40's over the last few days, I am again looking at propane. Regardless, I am defintely getting a solar cover - - which has its own difficulties due to my free form pool. Any recommendations on pool cover and/or rollers and methodology ? I have heard a number of people saying they cut the cover in half, thirds or quarters for ease of handling.

[DanS]

I got my cover from my sister in law for free, and it doesn't exactly fit my free form pool. It is a little smaller than the pool in some places. It still helps a lot. I have a decent size patio, so if it is just me or the family swimming, I just drag it on to the patio and drag it back on the pool when I'm done. If I need it to look good and be out of the way, I fold it and roll it up like a sleeping bag. I only use it for a few weeks at the beginning and end of Summer, so it's not too much work, but a reel to roll it up on may be helpful if you take it on and off a lot.