DIY pool heating with black PVC pipe

Drifter

Drifter

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So, I am planning on building a pool heating system using a coil of black PVC pipe 100m x 20mm. My question is what strength fountain pump must I get to get an adequate flow from the pool, up a pipe onto the roof, through the coil, and back to the pool. The pool is about 2 m from the roof.

If the flow is too strong, the water wont heat.

Any ideas, I was leaning towards a 350L/H pump.
 
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From what I read, you want a higher flow rate. The water will gradually heat up the entire pool. You don't want a low flow rate with piping hot water coming into the pool. The water should be a few degrees higher. The system of more efficient with a higher flow rate.

You will also need to look at the size of your pool. The larger your pool, the more piping you need.
 
You don't need a separate pump. Your main pump must be able to handle the flow required. Consider also including a solar blanket in your plans.
 
In fact I would do the solar blanket first as it may be enough by itself.
 
This setup should cost me me +/- R600. A custom solar blanket for a round pool is quite pricey.
 
Bear in mind you'll want a vacuum breaker so that when the pump is off the pipe empties. It will freeze and burst overnight in winter otherwise.
So that being said your pump needs to be powerful enough to pump the water up to the coil against gravity on its own.
 
I figured a submersible fountain pump should do the trick, Just need to get the correct rating. They not expensive at all.
 
Sinbad said:
Bear in mind you'll want a vacuum breaker so that when the pump is off the pipe empties. It will freeze and burst overnight in winter otherwise.
So that being said your pump needs to be powerful enough to pump the water up to the coil against gravity on its own.
Click to expand...

Hmm, didnt think of that. Even if the outlet is open, so it can release pressure?
 
Drifter said:
Hmm, didnt think of that. Even if the outlet is open, so it can release pressure?
Click to expand...

Those pumps wont do 4 meters maybe an expensive one but not the cheap ones.

Just plumb it into the pool pump like the others suggested.
 
Drifter said:
So, I am planning on building a pool heating system using a coil of black PVC pipe 100m x 20mm. My question is what strength fountain pump must I get to get an adequate flow from the pool, up a pipe onto the roof, through the coil, and back to the pool. The pool is about 2 m from the roof.

If the flow is too strong, the water wont heat.

Any ideas, I was leaning towards a 350L/H pump.
Click to expand...

Also make sure you check the structure of the roof before installing, 100m of pipe can hold a lot of heavy water. We don't want you fking up your roof.
 
I highly doubt you'll find a "350l/h" pump that will even pump anything up 2m. Most pumps have a flow rate curve. Generally any pump that will pump water up more than 2m is going to cost more than R600. R600 doesn't buy you much pipe and fittings either.
 
Your Kreepy might not be quite as effective or not working at all with that length of 20mm pipe if used with your existing pool pump. The internal friction in the small diameter pipe is enormous, even more than the loss due to gravitation. It might thus be advisable to use an extra pump or use bigger diameter pipe.
 
As far as I know, most swimming pool pumps are strong enough to pump the water up those 2.5 meters. The suction required to make that Kreepy move is quite a lot. I am building a pool this year as well and I am also doing my own heating system. The difference is that I am putting the pipe inside my ceiling. More heat and no ugly coils or pipes on my roof.

Not concerned about pipes freezing as we are in CT. I would think up North it would also be prudent to put the coils inside your ceiling as then it shouldn't freeze?
 
MightyQuin said:
As far as I know, most swimming pool pumps are strong enough to pump the water up those 2.5 meters. The suction required to make that Kreepy move is quite a lot. I am building a pool this year as well and I am also doing my own heating system. The difference is that I am putting the pipe inside my ceiling. More heat and no ugly coils or pipes on my roof.

Not concerned about pipes freezing as we are in CT. I would think up North it would also be prudent to put the coils inside your ceiling as then it shouldn't freeze?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's not gonna work too well. You need direct sunlight to heat the pipes. Just the heat transfer from the higher ambient temperature inside your ceiling won't cut it. For comparison, touch a black surface that's been out in the sun at midday...

Normal 0.75kw pool pump easily handles the 2.5m head.
 
Stokstert said:
Your Kreepy might not be quite as effective or not working at all with that length of 20mm pipe if used with your existing pool pump. The internal friction in the small diameter pipe is enormous, even more than the loss due to gravitation. It might thus be advisable to use an extra pump or use bigger diameter pipe.
Click to expand...

I seriously doubt the OP will be putting the heating pipe between the Kreepy and the pump?? The pump sucks water through the pool outlet/weir and Kreepy ( as per normal ) and then pushes it through the filter, heating pipe and back into the pool.

I have never seen an additional pump required for these "heating" systems.
 
MightyQuin said:
I seriously doubt the OP will be putting the heating pipe between the Kreepy and the pump?? The pump sucks water through the pool outlet/weir and Kreepy ( as per normal ) and then pushes it through the filter, heating pipe and back into the pool.

I have never seen an additional pump required for these "heating" systems.
Click to expand...

Pressure drop on the system works on both sides of the pump. More resistance on the output side (heater side) means less flow through the kreepy as well.
 
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