Every day our solar advisors are in homes comparing FAFCO solar pool heating panels to Heliocol. Both brands have been around a very long time (FAFCO invented the polymer solar pool heating collector). Let me make this simple – FAFCO is the quality, value, and performance leader. Heliocol is sometimes the low cost leader. That about sums it up.
But you probably expect a bit more information, so I’ll break down the numbers.
In SW Florida, the most popular Heliocol panel is the 4′x10′ HC-38 solar collector. All manufacturers list a nominal size for their panels, and the closest FAFCO panel is also a 4′x10′ collector, however, FAFCO has three different brand options in this size: the Revolution, Sunsaver, and Sunsaver ST (split tube).
The Fafco Revolution is the top-of-the-line solar panel on the market, and beats all competitors when it comes to the most important metric, BTU output. The Revolution’s 1,064 BTU per square foot, as rated by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), leads the industry. That’s easy information to find on FSEC’s website. On a cost and performance basis, the closest FAFCO option to the HC-38 is the Sunsaver ST. FAFCO’s lowest performance option still wins the performance battle!
Fafco vs Heliocol Comparison (Click for larger Image)
There are little games played in the industry to try to make manufacturers’ panels sound better performing, or at least equal. Here are the facts:
- A FAFCO Sunsaver ST has a larger surface area than the Heliocol panel of the same nominal size (4′x10′).
- If you are comparing the same number of panels, regardless of type, a FAFCO system will have a higher BTU rating at the FSEC 95°F rating, which is the most appropriate rating based on typical operating temperatures of solar pool heating panels.
- Heliocol has a smaller header pipe (1-1/2″ inside pipe size). They list a 2″ manifold on their specification sheet, but this is the outside diameter, which is irrelevant to the performance.
- All FAFCO Revolution, Sunsaver, and Sunsaver ST panels have 2″ inside pipe diameters. Because the outside diameter is irrelevant, FAFCO does not list the size, but it measures 2-3/8″ if you are interested. Note that 2″ inside diameter means 78% more water volume!
- FAFCO panels employ a subheader that balances flow through the collector system, ensuring that the system fills up completely with water and the entire surface area is “wetted.” Heliocol collectors have tubes connected directly to the header, and no way to balance the flow through a collector system. As a result, some collectors may not fill completely with water, and may provide no heating capacity. This is especially true on larger or multi-bank systems.
- The FAFCO subheader does result in additional pressure loss and back pressure on the pump, but this is more than compensated by the 2″ plumbing throughout the collector loop. The Heliocol system uses 1-1/2″ PVC pipe throughout the system, including fittings, isolation valves, check valves, and diverters. A typical Heliocol system results in more back pressure on the pump than a FAFCO system, but they want you to think that the panels are all that counts.
I’ve heard just about every myth out there about FAFCO panels. If you hear something that doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t. Let me know and I’ll give you the real scoop.
The bottom line is that FAFCO panels are the highest rated in the industry by independent and trusted authorities, the results are published and readily available, and even FAFCO’s lowest rated panel beats the competition.
