DIY pool heating with black PVC pipe

Sinbad said:
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.
Click to expand...


Hmmmm, must say I never thought of it like that. But then again, in summer it can reach up to 50 degrees in any ceiling down here in CT. When I open the cold water tap, it feels like boiling water coming out for quite a while.
 
MightyQuin said:
Hmmmm, must say I never thought of it like that. But then again, in summer it can reach up to 50 degrees in any ceiling down here in CT. When I open the cold water tap, it feels like boiling water coming out for quite a while.
Click to expand...

And then after a couple of minutes it gets cold, right?

Same will happen to your pool heating pipes.
 
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...

That's not what I said, but the back pressure due to length and thin diameter pipe in series with the filter increases and thus reduces flow. It's the same effect than a clogged filter. That is why I suggested a bigger diameter pipe.
But suit yourself.
 
Sinbad said:
And then after a couple of minutes it gets cold, right?

Same will happen to your pool heating pipes.
Click to expand...

Makes sense. I don't really want all those pipes on my roof though. Guess my pool will be nippier than others'. Will rather use a solar blanket then. Added value of less evaporation, less chemicals and cleaner pool.
 
Just put panels if you want solar heating :p
 
I know a guy who does this, just as the op proposes. It works a treat. He lives on a farm in Wilderness, and he swims in his solar heated pool almost year-round. Boer maak n plan!
 
Last edited:
You live in South Africa and you need to heat your swimming pool ? I thought the half the point is to cool down. :)
 
Sinbad said:
For me, PITA factor.
Click to expand...

Sure, but I am getting the automated one. Rolls up neatly inside a wooden "bench". It will be more for saving water and less chemicals and maintenance. I am not a huge fan of a pool that is bath water temp. I swim to cool off. Here in CT the wind also plays a huge factor in making pools very cold and a solar blanket will also help there, just to get the right balance.
 
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...

To get back to what another poster asked: have you done the math of how much that amount of pipe full of water will weigh? A neighbour of mine at a previous house, did exactly what you want to, but he left his pipe on the ground, coiled up behind a small, low wall in the corner of his garden. Worked really well.
 
MightyQuin said:
To get back to what another poster asked: have you done the math of how much that amount of pipe full of water will weigh? A neighbour of mine at a previous house, did exactly what you want to, but he left his pipe on the ground, coiled up behind a small, low wall in the corner of his garden. Worked really well.
Click to expand...

From my calculations, about 31.4 kg, assuming the following:

All of the 100m of pipe is on the roof.
The diameter is 20mm
Density of water 1000 kg/m3

Also take into account the weight of the pipe is spread over the roof.

OP, what pool pump do you have?
 
Last edited:
Its a steel frame above ground pool. The pump is capable of 12 000l/h. Im not concerned about the weight of the pipes. Its a tile roof , and the weight will be distributed over an area.
 
To resurrect an old fred,,I have a wooden deck about 20cm higher than the pool, what if you put that coiled pipe just below it neatly cut out to be countersunk ...dont know how to cover it or if you could walk on it
 
Patrol said:
To resurrect an old fred,,I have a wooden deck about 20cm higher than the pool, what if you put that coiled pipe just below it neatly cut out to be countersunk ...dont know how to cover it or if you could walk on it
Click to expand...
Dear sir the sun needs to heat the pipe if its hidden what heats it? This wouldn't work at all...
 
I would also like to try my hand at a similar DIY PVC pipe pool heating solution before going expensive.

Perhaps a stupid question, how does one fix the PVC pipe coil to a tiled roof? Or does the weight of the pipe itself keep it there?
 
Drifter said:
Its a steel frame above ground pool. The pump is capable of 12 000l/h. Im not concerned about the weight of the pipes. Its a tile roof , and the weight will be distributed over an area.
Click to expand...
Hi, did you manage to do this DYI kit for your swimming pool and is this working? Can you please contact me as I need someone that can perhaps do this for me? Thanks
 
Does anyone know if the lilly pads with the black bags and hoola hoops work to heat your swimming pool?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X