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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 isRead More →

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It has long been the basis of solar pool heat design to have an opposite end feed and return. In fact, it’s published in several books and manuals about solar pool heating. This is not the case with FAFCO brand solar pool heating panels, which can be installed with same side feed and return. The downside is greatly increased backpressure. Opposite end feed and return simply means that the plumbing that brings up to the solar panels and connects to the lower header is connected at the opposite end of the bank of solar panels from where the plumbing connects to the return line toRead More →

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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 overRead More →

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When you’ve got it all, things can get pretty complicated. Solar pool heat plumbing with a heat pump and a spa can result in a spaghetti factory of plumbing at your pool equipment. Pictured below is an Estero, FL system containing: Solar Pool Heat Auxiliary Electric Heat Pump Pool and Spa with Blower Combination Cartridge Filter Pool Drain Valve Aqualink automatic controller Landscape lighting The good news is that the automatic controller does just about everything you can expect to control the pool and spa heating automatically. The only user intervention required is to set desired temperatures and priorities for heating sources. The owner mayRead More →

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If you have a solar pool heating system, your dealer may mention the manifold. This is just a set of valves that control the flow of water in your solar pool heating system. The function of the solar pool heat manifold is to turn you solar on or off by bypassing the solar panels when necessary. Your manifold may or may not include isolation valves to isolate the solar panels in the event that the system must be serviced. Let’s take a look at an example manifold. The one pictured below includes two high quality Jandy brand isolation valves, a Jandy brand bypass valve, andRead More →

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I am seeing more interest recently from Southwest Florida Condominiums that want to install solar pool heating systems. The cost of operating electric heat pumps or gas heaters for condo pools is astronomical, especially this time of year. Condo boards are realizing that a large expense contributing to quarterly condo fees is the heating of their pool. In addition, typical Southwest Florida condos are busier this time of year as seasonal residents and renters are occupying a large percentage of condo units and warm pools are in high demand. During cold snaps, electric heat pumps are unable to keep pools at the desired temperature, andRead More →

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The eastern Gulf of Mexico water temperature ranged from 52°F – 64°F this morning, well below the January historical average of  66°F. An unheated, uncovered pool in Southwest Florida will likely be in the 50’s today. Unfortunately, heating your pool with solar will probably not make a drastic increase in the pool temperature, particularly if you do not cover your pool. Nighttime air temperatures in the 30’s cause the surface to lose heat at an alarming rate. Daytime air temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s don’t help matters much. Solar pool heat with a cover will keep your pool well into the 60’s and possiblyRead 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 →