Solar Pool Heating

[The_MAC]

Bonjour!

We have decided that we need to heat our pool otherwise we lose nearly 3 months of swimming.

We have a large 10m x 5m (1.7m avg depth) pool, so it's roughly 80k litres.

Unfortunately we only have space for 4 panels (the rest is occupied by electrical solar panels), and the other roof space is south facing.

I got a quote for R15k, for 4 sun-command panels (3m x 1.25m), with all the labour, valves and reticulation (roughly 23m away from the pool), is this reasonable?

I see the Pool Team sells a single panel for R3400 - Sun Command Solar 3m Panel (1.25m x 3m)

PS: We are also buying a solar blanket, so hoping that the panels + blanket will yield the required results.
PPS: Couldn't find another thread for solar pool heating..

 

[Sinbad]

If I were to do it all again, I'd use a heat pump for heating the pool and put extra solar PV to power it. That way even when the pool is up to temperature you can get benefit from the roof space used... And through winter too.

 

[The_MAC]

If I were to do it all again, I'd use a heat pump for heating the pool and put extra solar PV to power it. That way even when the pool is up to temperature you can get benefit from the roof space used... And through winter too.

Unfortunately budget does not allow for that to heat 80KL of water, you need to drop about R35k for the heat-pump with installation. Then also the extra panels.

 

[ryu]

just out of interest, where do you put the solar blanket ?

 

[The_MAC]

just out of interest, where do you put the solar blanket ?

Preemptively answering.

Obviously floating on the water when in use, and then either rolled up on a rolling station or folded and places nearby when not in use.

 

[joker08]

Bonjour!

We have decided that we need to heat our pool otherwise we lose nearly 3 months of swimming.

We have a large 10m x 5m (1.7m avg depth) pool, so it's roughly 80k litres.

Unfortunately we only have space for 4 panels (the rest is occupied by electrical solar panels), and the other roof space is south facing.

I got a quote for R15k, for 4 sun-command panels, with all the labour, valves and reticulation (roughly 23m away from the pool), is this reasonable?

PS: We are also buying a solar blanket, so hoping that the panels + blanket will yield the required results.
PPS: Couldn't find another thread for solar pool heating..

I have those pool heating pannels and it doesnt do anything during winter (I am in cape town). Even in Summer, it just raises the temperature of the water by 2-3 degrees.
My pool size is same as yours. I had 5 pannels, recently removed one to make space for my solar pannels.
My recommendation is a wetsuit if u want to swim during winter.

 

[The_MAC]

I have those pool heating pannels and it doesnt do anything during winter (I am in cape town). Even in Summer, it just raises the temperature of the water by 2-3 degrees.
My pool size is same as yours. I had 5 pannels, recently removed one to make space for my solar pannels.
My recommendation is a wetsuit if u want to swim during winter.

Thanks for the feedback.

In terms of their efficiency, I confirm they work (especially when coupled with a solar blanket), I had them in my old house, the question was more in terms of the quoted cost.

The idea is not to swim in winter (that would require a heat-pump), but to extend the swimming season by at least 3 months.

 

[Ecco]

I did mine in 2020, and 3 panels (3 x 1.2m) was R5.5k including installation and all needed materials (excluding blanket). Hope this helps

 

[Neuk_]

We have solar heating for our pool but it is a small pool, maybe 25k - 30k litres and it gets stupid hot in the middle of summer, like 36 Deg C hot. I would also look at what @Sinbad suggests if finances allow, a better plan in the long term...

 

[animal531]

Have you considered filling it with sand, because that will collect the maximum amount of heat.

 

[The_MAC]

Have you considered filling it with sand, because that will collect the maximum amount of heat.

How would one swim in a pool full of sand?

 

[animal531]

How would one swim in a pool full of sand?

There's another thread where a guy is trying to build a sand battery to keep his house warm in the winter.

 

[The_MAC]

There's another thread where a guy is trying to build a sand battery to keep his house warm in the winter.

I would obviously require a bigger element, but the swimming question remains..

 

[Dimpie (JIGSAW)]

^ You miss it for the 1st summer ... after that it's all smiles with more money in the pocket and less work around the house

 

[animal531]

I would obviously require a bigger element, but the swimming question remains..

Easy, you install an air pump system in the bottom which cause the sand to behave like a liquid (ie. quicksand). Fun for the whole family, except for little Bobby who's on the bottom.

 

[The_MAC]

For those in Gauteng and needing a good reference, I ended up gong with these guys: https://masterpg.co.za/

4 Sun-Command Panels (reticulation and labour) and a 10m X 6m bubble pool cover, R21K.

Work quality was good, except the aesthetics of the piping, but they rectified it afterwards.

Pool temp went from 22 degrees to 29 degrees after 2 days with the panels working and cover put on.

 

[The_MAC]

Update.

Pool temp hit 32 degrees, kids were able to swim up until 20:00.

Very impressed with a cover and only 4 panels for a 80k litre pool

 

[DanH]

I’ve got 10 panels on a 40kl pool in Cape Town.

The water is 27C in the morning and 32C by the evening in summer. No blanket.

It’s an easy 1 day DIY to install them.

 

[OOC]

I’ve got 10 panels on a 40kl pool in Cape Town.

The water is 27C in the morning and 32C by the evening in summer. No blanket.

It’s an easy 1 day DIY to install them.

Where can i get good panels in Joburg? Brand, size etc etc. My pool is a 10m x 4m and about 1,6 deep

 

[ghaye]

I know they cost a lot more, but would evacuated tubes not be far more efficient?