Solar Pool heating, share your experience

[ecodad]

Rockstead,

It is apparent to me that you have something to hide. You haven't answered my questions, you have simply tried to slander me - stating that I lie about what solar is capable of providing. I strongly suspect you are in a competing business - such as heat pump manufacturing for example - why wouldn't you answer that question?? I addressed each of your issues - and you call me transparent. Your best retort is to slander me - that's some comeback.

We are very very busy, mainly because we are a very reputable solar firm that don't do, and never have done, high pressure sales - most of our sales come from referrals - that doesn't happen if customers are unhappy.

The forum is a place for the exchange of information and ideas - I have been up front from the very beginning that I am in the solar business - and simply trying to provide info on the possibilities and limitations about solar pool heating. Because my info doesn't support your particular experience you figure I'm not telling the truth - well bub, you're not the centre of the world. It's particularly sad that you have such a jaundiced opinion of people like myself, who are experts in their field, if their information doesn't jive with your singular experience.

You can continue your wasteful ways (your own words) and keep using your heat pump, until it dies - probably within the next 7 years - with no regard for the environmental consequences.

Yes people will judge the content of these posts - and I have nothing to retract. Solar pool heating works - if it is sized and installed properly. If you must swim when the weather is bad - raining, windy cold - you need a gas heater - solar & heat pumps can't keep up under those conditions. If you are a fair-weather swimmer, then a good, properly sized solar system can do 90% of what you are looking for - and they heat for free, with no bad environmental side effects. As I have previously stated, if you want to extend the swimming season 6-8 weeks you will need to use a solar blanket as well.

[Rockstead]

It is apparent to me that you have something to hide. You haven't answered my questions, you have simply tried to slander me - stating that I lie about what solar is capable of providing. I strongly suspect you are in a competing business - such as heat pump manufacturing for example - why wouldn't you answer that question?? I addressed each of your issues - and you call me transparent. Your best retort is to slander me - that's some comeback.

OK seriously, are you coocoo? I started this thread 5 years ago, I purchased this product and you replied to my thread 5 years later. Yes this was my master plan, I'm a competitor and my plan was to plant a seed 5 years earlier in the hopes that you would reply to this in 5 years and my plan worked!!!!! wait until you see what I have in store in 5 years from now.

[jjtsl]

Chill out guys. Rockstead, it sounds like you had a bad experience with solar pool heating, and that's fine.

I was looking into solar pool heating earlier this summer (you can check my previous posts), and ecodad was one of the solar companies that I spoke with. Although in the end I did not go with solar pool heating, I thought that ecodad was honest, had great credentials and was not pitching the product to me just to make a quick buck. If you want to talk about salesmanship, there was one company in Markham I won't name that was trying to sell me everything from solar pool heating, solar panels for electricity, solar hot water tank and tankless hot water system all at the same time! After that initial call, the company was calling me a couple of times a week until I had to tell them that I was broke

[Rockstead]

Chill out guys. Rockstead, it sounds like you had a bad experience with solar pool heating, and that's fine.

Really, it's quite the contrary, read through the entire thread and you'll see. I enjoyed my Solar experience, and if the temperature remained really hot and sunny for a few days, my pool temperature could go as high as 90 degrees, in fact the people that own my house now are enjoying it.

I was just speaking about real world issues that you could encounter with solar, it's not a dream product, there are hassles and costs involved, it doesn't end with electricity, it doesn't extend your season it just makes the time you would normally enjoy even better and the second time around I'm much happier with a heat pump and the costs associated are not very high as some would make it out to be, and they aren't breaking down every other day or need to be replaced every 7 years and Salt water pool aren't affecting Heat pumps made to work with salt water pools, etc.

[jjtsl]

My bad, I should have said "Rockstead, it sounds like you are happier with your heat pump, and that's fine."

[stucandu]

I just finished installing a Techno-solaris system last summer (Ontario Solar did a real nice job).
At this point, I'm not sure I'd spend the money again as it doesn't heat it up as much as I had hoped (keeps it in the mid 80's but that's it).

I don't understand why anyone would want their pool to be any warmer than 82, 84 tops.
It's a swimming pool, not a bathtub. It's supposed to be refreshing and cool you off.
If you want hot, get a feakin hot tub.

[Rockstead]

I don't understand why anyone would want their pool to be any warmer than 82, 84 tops.
It's a swimming pool, not a bathtub. It's supposed to be refreshing and cool you off.
If you want hot, get a feakin hot tub.

Really I used to feel the exact same way, I was like I'm never going to enjoy temperatures that high, so maybe it's a sign of aging.

[Jimmynewtron]

I don't understand why anyone would want their pool to be any warmer than 82, 84 tops.
It's a swimming pool, not a bathtub. It's supposed to be refreshing and cool you off.
If you want hot, get a feakin hot tub.

So here's the deal:

Lots of little kids + 82 degrees = shivering kids. Not a lot of fun.

When you crank it to 86-88, EVERYONE is much happier. Especially Mom and Dad.

Maybe it's not as "refreshing" but it's a better overall compromise. The only real downside is everyone wants to swim in the pool because (unlike the neighbours), it the "warm one"

Jim.
PS We actually have hot tub as well. Nobody at my place is getting chilled (except if they spill their margarita)