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It’s not uncommon for people to mishear or misunderstand the name FAFCO as Fasco, Fastco, Falco, Fabco or something else. FAFCO is an acronym for Freeman A. Ford Company. Freeman is a visionary in the solar thermal industry, having revolutionized/started the solar pool heating industry in addition to a variety of other solar thermal technologies. The local Southwest Florida dealer is actually Fafco Solar (note capitalization). Fafco Solar is a fictitious name (dba) of Solar Pool Heaters, Inc., a Florida corporation. FAFCO, Inc. Is the California manufacturer of a variety of products. The FAF in Fafco Solar is Freeman A. Ford.

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Note: Some of the information in this article may be outdated. Learn more about modern solar pool heating panels here. Comparing FAFCO solar pool heating panels to Heliocol is like apples and oranges. Both brands have been around a very long time (FAFCO invented the polymer solar pool heating collector). I’ll break down the numbers, but make sure you read to the end for important caveats. In SW Florida, the most popular Heliocol panel seems to be 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 differentRead More →

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I’m at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Broadway Apartments affordable housing project where we have 40 solar water heating systems installed. This is the largest polymer solar collector water heating project in Florida! Solar water heating will reduce the electric bills for residents of the two-building multi-tenant property. The goal of the project is to provide affordable housing that features low utility bills in a LEED Platinum facility. The solar water heating systems were one part of the LEED criteria that allowed the Broadway Apartments to achieve Platinum status. The Southwest Florida Affordable Housing Choice Foundation reports that previous residents are already asking forRead More →

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It was in the 60’s last night, and my pool has already started to lose degrees. Cool nights wreak havoc on uncovered pool temperatures. Pulling your cover out of storage will help, of course. Most people wait until too late in the season to make the decision to buy a solar pool heater. This time of year the phone starts ringing off the hook, and inevitably we get a bit backed up. It’s just part of the business. People lose out on some of the best swimming weather – in the early fall when outside daytime temperatures are delightful, but pools are cool! If youRead More →