Solar Southwest Florida

Fafco Solar Video on Pentair Variable Speed Pump

Fafco Solar just released a short promotional video on the Pentair Variable Speed pool pump.

The variable speed pump is a perfect match for solar pool heating systems, especially when an automatic controller is used. Without a controller the pump can be scheduled to run at optimum solar circulation speed when solar energy is most likely to be available. Adding a controller adds the capability of changing the pump speed based on the availability and demand for solar heating.

With or without solar energy, the variable speed pump will pay for itself with energy savings. You can cut pumping costs up to 90% with this great technology while getting a far quieter and longer lasting pool pump.

Pentair SolarTouch Solar Controller

Pentair has released a new solar pool heating controller called the SolarTouch. This great controller fills a gap between a simple analog solar controller and the Pentair SunTouch pool automation system.

A simple analog solar controller uses a dial and an on-off-auto switch to control the operation of a solar pool heating system. The SunTouch is a digital controller that has advance pool heating control for a pool/spa combination and with multiple heating sources (solar and auxiliary heater). It can also control additional relays for features and lighting and has an optional remote control.

The SolarTouch does everything that the analog controller does except it has precise control with a digital readout. It can also control Pentair’s Variable Speed and Variable Flow IntelliPro pumps. That means you can increase the pump speed when solar pool heating is required and drop the speed back down to normal filtration speed when no solar heating is required or available.

Our first SolarTouch controllers will be installed soon and I will report back with the verdict. I am quite certain that this will become our “go-to” controller, particularly because of the attractive price, digital control, and ability to control a variable speed pump.

Here is the marketing information from Pentair and a SolarTouch Brochure:

Announcing the new SolarTouch™ swimming pool solar controller, which offers full digital control for the most precise, efficient swimming pool heating possible!

Now pool owners can control their pool temperature with the touch of a button. Just set the digital thermostat and SolarTouch will monitor the temperature of the pool water and solar collectors. SolarTouch also integrates with IntelliFlo® and IntelliPro® Variable Speed Pumps, so customers can enjoy unparalleled efficiency, unbeatable digital precision and ease of use. SolarTouch is the smart, easy, efficient way to go solar.

SolarTouch features include:

• Digital calibration of water and solar temperature sensors allow more precise measuring. Temperature control can be set in one degree increments.
• Digital touch controls eliminate the imprecise settings and moving parts of mechanical dials.
• Customers can set their pool temperature and solar temperature differentials with the touch of a button.
• Solar valve automatically drains the solar collectors when the pump shuts off. Durable PTFE seal is maintenance-free for years of dependable service.
• Savings up to $1,500 on your energy bills when you combine SolarTouch with an IntelliFlo® or IntelliPro® Variable Speed Pump.
• LCD display gives sharp, clear readings of air and solar collector temperatures.
• LED indicator lights confirm that SolarTouch automation is working. Service indicator LED indicates when attention is needed.
• Motorized valve actuator is built to last with sturdy steel gears, a highly efficient low-voltage motor, service switch for flow direction and a weatherproof composite enclosure.
• Includes nocturnal cooling and recirculation freeze protection, with filter-pump timer override. 3-year warranty.

Solar pool heaters work better with variable speed pumps because the optimum flow rate can be achieved to maximize solar performance. A single speed pump is typically fine to use with solar pool heating, but if you want maximum pool heating, a variable speed pump can both save you a tremendous amount of money and provide the proper flow rate.

Typical efficiency vs. flow curve for solar pool heating panels (FAFCO Sunsaver shown).

Most solar pool heating panel manufacturers recommend a flow rate of 4 gallons per minute per panel. If you have seven panels, you need a flow rate of 28 gallons per minute. Anything less and the efficiency drops off quite rapidly. Anything more and you are wasting money on  your pumping costs, pumping water at a rate higher than required for solar pool heating to be efficient.

When we have a solar pool heater installed, we insist that every job gets a flow meter installed (at least temporarily).  The pump can be programmed to operate at the proper speed when solar pool heating is likely to be required. With an automatic controller, the pump can be set to go to optimum speed whenever solar pool heating is required, but reduce the speed when heating is not active.

There are lots of other variable speed pump resources on my Solar Southwest Florida blog. I have also assembled some Pentair variable speed pump marketing videos below. Enjoy!

As inefficient electric pool heat pumps and gas pool heaters are, they have their place in heating Southwest Florida pools. It’s no problem to have both solar pool heat and a heat pump or auxiliary gas heater. In fact, the whole system can be automated with fairly simple controls and automatic valves.

A system of valves and actuators control solar pool heat and a heat pump for a pool/spa combination.

Many thousands of heat pumps are installed in Florida, the result of aggressive advertising campaigns and irresponsible claims by manufacturers about how efficient heat pumps are. The fact of the matter is that heat pumps cost an arm-and-a-leg to operate. Heat pumps are important when the desired temperature is critical to attain and maintain at all times. For example, hotels, condos, and individuals with medical hydrotherapy needs often require a constant and elevated pool temperature. In these cases, the holy grail is a solar pool heater in conjunction with a heat pump.

Because gas prices are relatively high in Florida, the only reasonable application for a gas heater is in situations where raising the pool temperature quickly is required or where swimming is anticipated during cold ambient temperatures. Long-term constant heating with gas heaters is outrageously expensive.

If you choose to have a heat pump or gas heater, or you already have one installed, integrating solar pool heat is easy. An automatic controller can set the solar pool heater as the primary heat source and revert to auxiliary heating. In most cases, a solar pool heater is installed, and the auxiliary heater is only operated on-demand by the homeowner manually switching on the heater. This can be as easy as pushing a button on a controller or even using a remote control to switch on the auxiliary heater.

SunTouch Controller

The AquaLink RS, Aqua Logic, and other high-end pool controllers are very capable at controlling multiple heat sources. If you already have a pool automation system, it is likely that solar pool heat and a heat pump can already be controlled from it. If not, I have been recommending the affordable Pentair SunTouch with the optional Quicktouch II Remote. Once programmed, operating the pool equipment is as simple as pressing buttons on a remote. It can work with any combination of heat sources and can even control your spa and a variable speed pump. In some cases, pool lighting and landscape lighting control can also be integrated.

Fafco Solar installed a solar pool heat system this week at a home that already had a heat pump. Adding a SunTouch controller allowed the homeowner to optimize the operation of their solar pool heater, while providing the option of supplemental heat at the press of a button if desired. This time of year, solar pool heating alone typically gets a covered pool to around 85 degrees. The grandkids were coming in town this week, and he wanted the pool to be 88 degrees. The controller allows the pool to be heated by solar if possible, then switches on the heat pump to get the last couple of degrees needed at a reasonable operating cost.

The best way to control a solar pool heat system is with an automatic controller. If you do not have one, you are missing out on great convenience, and not maximizing your solar pool heating investment. Most people who do not have a controller just leave their solar pool heating system all the time. That means any time the pump is running, water is flowing through the solar panels.

Unfortunately, solar panels can also act like a radiator, giving pool heat back to the atmosphere. On very cloudy days or during rain, you may actually be cooling your pool if you solar pool heater is running. Usually this is not a huge problem, but it is definitely less than optimal.

One thing you can do is set your pump timer with ideal times to run the pump when you are most likely to get good performance from your solar panels. If your panels are mounted on the south roof, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm are the prime hours, and you pump should be run during this time. If your panels are mounted on the east roof, you will want to start you pump a bit earlier, and definitely don’t run it too late. The biggest mistake I see is when panels are mounted on a southwest or west roof, and the homeowner has the pump set to start at 8:00 am. On a cool morning with no sun hitting the panels, some cooling is highly likely. I recommend no earlier than 10:00 am for a pump start time, but the stop time depends on the time of year.

The best thing to do is observe your panels and make sure you pump is running when the sun is hitting them. Shading and time of day are important to evaluate.

Again, an automatic controller is your best option for controlling your solar pool heat, but if you aren’t willing to make that investment, take some simple steps to maximize your system’s performance!

SunTouch Controller Installation

I finally got around to installing my Pentair SunTouch Solar Controller at my Fort Myers home. I don’t have solar pool heat (yet), so I have been procrastinating. Why install a SunTouch without a solar pool heating system? Because it does so much more than just control a solar valve!

The SunTouch is made to work with an actuator to automatically turn solar pool heating on and off based on the desired temperature and the available heat on the roof.

Here are several great reasons to install a SunTouch Controller:

• It’s a great compliment to my Pentair Variable Speed Pump (VS-3050). The SunTouch takes over the control of the pump functions and speeds, allowing you to program various speeds for things like water features, automatic cleaners, solar, and auxiliary heaters.
• It will control a heat pump or gas heater with or without solar pool heat. I happen to have a heat pump (I know, not good, but it came with the house).
• I can control my landscape lighting (LED, of course) with one of the auxiliary relays and put the transformer on a timer.
• I can control the pool lights and program run times.
• With the QuickTouch remote, I can activate features from the handy remote control. While I have the landscape lighting and pool lights on programmed schedules, I can manually turn them on from the remote. I can also manually force the pump on at various speeds.

QuickTouch Remote and Receiver

Because my pool and landscape lighting were on the same circuit, and because I still have old energy-hog incandescent pool lights (2 x 300W), I am excited to be able to run the landscape lighting independently now. For added security, and because they use virtually no energy, I set my landscape lights to run all night – something I wasn’t able to afford with the pool lights. One day I’ll spring for the LED pool light upgrade.

I set out to do this project yesterday and it took a little longer than expected with all of the auxiliary features I wanted to control. I also had to rewire the lighting transformers because the pool and landscape lighting were on the same circuit. I went ahead and installed the water and solar sensors so I’ll be ready to go when I add solar pool heat this spring. Finally, I took the opportunity to wire a GFCI outlet next to the SunTouch for extra convenience when running my electric trimmer.

The initial programming of the SunTouch is a bit complex, but fortunately my experience at Fafco Solar had me prepared for this challenge. The menu operation is not very intuitive, but once you understand it the button functions, it all makes sense. The SunTouch documentation on the variable speed pump programming is a bit confusing, but once you read the pump manual itself, it all comes together. I was able to easily configure my remote control to control my pump and lights. The QuickTouch remote connection is also

I didn’t connect the heat pump relay, partly because I ran out of time, but after thinking about it I would rather not have it on a controller. I want to feel the pain every time I manually turn it on, and remember how much that thing costs to run! I can see the benefit of connecting it for people who have pool/spa combinations to fully automate spa heating.

Overall, I am very impressed with the system, and I look forward to installing my solar pool heating system soon!

My Pool Equipment with SunTouch Solar Controller Installed