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Pool Heating
Pool heating provides more enjoyment and comfort to swimmers. But since pool heating can add up to high heating bills and consumes a lot of energy, pool owners should use energy-saving pool heating systems such as solar pool heaters.
654 Questions
Does a solar cover keep pool warm or make pool warm?
No not really but the more you cover the more heating there will be. The cover is designed to heat the water under the cover so its effect will be diminished by the lack of total pool coverage. You will notice some warming just the same.
You should try to cover your entire pool, but if there's a gap here and there it won't matter. A good Solar cover raises your pool temp. about 10-15 degrees.
After use, allow it dry and roll it up nicely.
How long should your pool pump and heater run each day?
Let's start with the pump first:
The pool pump needs to run long enough each day to filter all of the water in the pool at least once. Twice is better. Three times or more is wasting electricity. Some people will debate these numbers, but they are a good rule of thumb and an excellent place to start.
So, first calculate the number of gallons of water in your pool (G). Next, find out the flow rate of your pool pump in gallons per minute (F). Last, divide the gallons, G, by the flow rate, F, to get the number of minutes you need to run the filter to turn (filter) all of the water once.
For example, if I have a 5000 gal pool and a pump rated at 25 gallons per minute, it will take 200 minutes (or about 3 hrs and 20 min) to filter all of the water once. Multiply the time by 2 if you want to turn the water over twice (6 hrs, 40 min).
Next the heater;
You can spend a lot of time trying to calculate the time required to maintain a certain desired temp each day, but the number of variables (desired water temp, min and max air temp, cloud cover, wind, geographic location, time of year, etc...) make it very difficult.
I would suggest that you start with the heater on for an hour per day and then add an hour each day until the water temp reaches the desired temp. Then, you might have to adjust slightly backward (subtract 30 min) to keep it at that temp daily.
Pool heaters typically have a thermostat control that prevents overheating and waste of energy. They will generally cut-in when the water temperature drops by 1-2 deg.C below setpoint, and then go into standby mode when the desired water temperature is reached.
If you have your heater in the same circuit as your filtration pump set, then the available hours to heat your pool are limited by the hours you determine which may be insufficient in mid-winter depending upon heater capacity.
If a separate heating circuit is provided, then just leave the heater on standby mode and it will self-determine when to operate providing water flow is present.
Heater capacity, climatic factors of wind, sun, ambient temp, etc. and decision to use a pool blanket will affect the number of hours that you need to run your heater.
The first answer above is all well and good if you can get the water particles to all line up for you so they will all go throught the filter in the calculated time. In my experience, water particles are notably uncooperative in this regard.
It's completely unnecessary to run ''all'' of the water through the filter, especially if you have a chlorinator or brominator (automatic chlorine or bromine dispenser). A good rule of thumb is: if the water looks clear, it's just fine.
The pump on my 18' X 36' pool (about 25,000 imperial gallons) runs twice a day for 3 hours each time. It's never been a problem.
As for the heater, in general, you set it for the temperature you want and, as long as the pump is actually running, the heater will automatically turn on and off as needed to keep it at that temperature...just like the furnace in a house. For my pool, the gas heater I have will raise the temperature by about 1/2 degree F. per hour. Unless your pool is outside in the winter, the temperature should not vary too much between the times when the pump (and therefore, the heater) is on.
By all means, get a pool solar blanket to keep the heat in when the pool is not being used. You're trying to heat the pool...not the back yard.
The heater answer is simplest, so let's look at that first. How long should a pool heater run daily? As needed. The bottom line question is: how warm do you want your pool? Once you determine that need, the heater will fire as needed. To conserve energy & cut costs, turn the thermostat down to maybe 78 or 80 degrees F. (about 25 C). Keep the pool exposed to as much natural sun by cutting back overhanging tree branches, etc. Finally, as has been noted, use a solar blanket or one of the liquid solar blankets (about 75% as effective without the hassle of taking it on or off - Ecosavr solar fish or the Solar Pill are 2 products available).
When it comes to running the filter, the answer needs to look at how much use the pool gets (more swimmers equals better circulation & less dead spots in the pool) as well as environmental conditions.
The bottom line questions for the pool owner are: how clean do you want your pool? and how much work do you want to perform? If you want to minimize YOUR work, then the filter system will need to run longer. If the filter system is running more, it is doing more of the circulating and debris removal than you would be. We typically recommend a minimum of 8 to 12 hours DAILY as long as the pool is open and running. The pool owners with the best looking water and the least amount of pool water problems are those pools that are filtered/circulated/treated 24/7.
In order to conserve electricity and therefore costs, having a well running timer, running 3 time periods of 4 hours each period at 3 separate intervals daily acccomplishes several things: 1 - keeps the water moving (after the filter shuts down, it takes roughly 4 hours for the water to become "still"); 2 - provides the "turnover" to properly filter as much of the water in the pool as possible: it typically takes about 4 turnovers to filter 98% of the water in the pool (remember those dead spots where there is minimal or no circulation); 3 - saves money by operating during "off peak" electrical hours (usually at about a 30% or more savings) - most pool owners can schedule about 8 to 10 of these hours during "off peak" times.
How to Build your own reel for solar cover?
I have made a simple one from two carpet tubes in different diameters, one inside the other. This is simply a much cheaper alternative to the proper ones. It took me about 2 hours to build a frame and I simply attached an old steering wheel to the outer tube.
A sturdier version can be built using thick walled PVC pipe, but you may want to mount a small pneumatic tire upside down in the middle to support it and allow it to turn.
Is a 8 12 or 16ml solar pool cover better?
It would be stronger but possibly harder to handle depending upon size.
K
Pool heater pilot will not stay lit?
Make sure the gas valve that is part of the supply line is on.
There is another gas valve inside the heater, which has three positions: OFF, ON, and PILOT. Turn the valve to PILOT, then press it down. This will allow gas to flow to the pilot light, so that at this point it should be able to be lit with a match or better yet, one of those butane fire starters.
Continue to hold the valve down, for about 30 seconds.
When you release it, the valve should come up, so that you will be able to turn it to the ON position.
If the pilot is still burning, you should be good to go.
If the pilot goes out, however, there is a chance that the pilot generator, a $50 or so brass cylinder that is positioned near the pilot light and which produces about 500 mv, is bad.
The pilot generator puts out enough power, using the heat of the pilot light, to energize a coil inside the gas valve to keep the gas flowing to the pilot. If there is no power generated by the pilot light, the gas valve will shut down (it's a safety feature so that the gas to the non-burning pilot does not continue to flow and create an explosion hazard).
You will need a digital voltmeter to check the pilot generator, and some other wrenches to replace it if it proves to be not producing at least 400 mv when hot.
Assuming the pilot stays lit, your next job will be to ensure the other limit switches in the circuit are OK, and that the thermostat is working OK to actuate the second coil inside the valve the turns on the gas to the burners. Your question, however, was only about the pilot light, so I will leave it at that.
I also have a Teledyne Laars natural gas pool heater and I found this answer when trying to figure out how to light mine. The previous answer was correct although it didn't tell you where the pilot light was (where you put the flame in order to light it).
On mine, you should follow a thin pipe from where the blue circular pilot/on/off switch is. It goes from left to right and then goes back.
On the right hand side, there should be a sign that says "pilot light here" with an arrow pointing back. The actual tube it points to is the pilot light.
You should use a long match or a butane fire starter to place a flame along the top of this tube.
Turn the blue switch until it can be pressed down. When you press it down you should hear gas flowing (a light hissing). If you don't, there is no gas getting to the appliance. Follow the pipe from the meter to the appliance and check for the gas turned off along the way (I have two shut-offs - one at the meter and one at the heater).
While pressing the blue switch down, hold a flame to the tube on the right. It should light the gas. Continue to hold the blue switch down for 30 seconds or so. I think it is heating something at the back. If you release the blue switch and the flame goes out, repeat the process.
Eventually, you'll see an orange flame at the back as things start to heat up. When you release the switch, it should stay lit.
Please note these instructions are from my perspective - your situation may differ. Use these instructions at your own risk. If in doubt, have your pool heater serviced by a furnace cleaner.
Jim
When do you put down solar pool blanket?
So long as the blanket doesn't interfere with the flow of water it doesn't mater when you run it.
Does running the pool heater at night save money?
No it doesn't, Night time heatloss is a big problem for pool heaters, as your pool pump runs it moves heat away from your pool, so you actually increase the night time heat loss by running your pool pump/heater at night. The most economical solution is using a Solar cover and leaving your pump off at night to prevent night time heatloss and then just fire up your heater when the temperatures begin to come back up to daytime levels.
Does a pool heat up faster with the cover on or off?
It will heat faster with the pump running... sort of. The issue is thermoclines. Water of a particualr temperature has a specific density. Cooler water is more dense than hot water, so hot water tends to rise and cold water tends to sink. This process creates what is called stratification. With the hot water on top, it creates the opportunity for much of that heat to radiate back into the air before it has the chance to transfer some of that heat into the colder temperature water below. If you want to heat the entire pool to a uniform temperature, turn the pump on. If you want the deep end to be colder than the shallow end, leave it off.
How long will a 3kw heater take to heat a 16ft pool?
3kw heater heating a 10 foot pool may take 4 to 8 hours for heating it up to 20 to 25 Degrees Celsius. This also depends on the outside temperature.
Personally, I disagree with the logic used by those above. If the bubbles are up, there will be larger surface area to absorb the sun's heat. Increased levels of heat absorption seems more important than the rate of heat transfer, especially when considering the fact that heat transfer takes place almost instantaniously.****i have tried it both ways, bubbles up or down. makes little or no difference heating. with bubbles down, though, it is easier to clean debrie off the cover and keep it clean.
What is the common temperature for swimming pools?
There are really no common temperatures for swimming pools, because it really depends on where you live. If you have a swimming pool in Florida and then one in Montana, each of their temperatures is going to be different. It depends on where you live and how hot or cold it is outside.
When do i use heat pump to heat inground pool?
Although it is advisable to check your manufacturer specifications, there are heat pumps available for above ground pools. You should expect to pay about $2,000.00 (+/-) for the unit itself plus any installations costs.
What a 10 year old girl can do at home alone?
well you can probley call your friends finish home work snuggle up with a pet or if yourscared you can call your mom and dad or whoever is your gurdian but remember do not go outside if its lat at night just watch tv comptuer od cell phone thats my opoinoin
How do you cut a solar pool cover for a free form pool?
Exact size. If you cut it larger it tends to migrate up the sides leaving uncovered spots because of wind and surface tension.
Answerwith bubbles DOWN.Lay cover over pool and let cover "relax" in the sun. Use good sharp scissors and don't cut/chop, but slice while holding scissiors in a "V" Holding hand along the edge of the deck, just walk and slice the cover around the perimeter of the pool using the deck as a guide. Should fit like a dream. Special Kare pools/Las VegasAh, percisely the way I do it. Ken
What is a heat pump and how does it operate or function?
This is a very oversimplified answer, which can probably be better answered by an air conditioning professional. But for a simple example / understanding, imagine using an ORDINARY window air conditioner for BOTH summer cooling and winter heating. Basically a window air conditioner takes heat out of the air on one side, and blows HOT air out the other side. That is what it does in hot weather, takes heat out of the indoor air, and moves it outside. IF you were to REVERSE / ROTATE the air conditioner the OPPOSITE direction, it would take heat out of the OUTSIDE AIR, and add it to the INSIDE air. Wait, I can hear what you're thinking, but YES, there is SOME heat even in cold outside air. A heat pump is not very efficient in VERY COLD climates, so the manufacturers usually add an electric heating element to "boost" heat output when there is not enough available in the outside air. Now the heat pump, whether it be a window unit, or a fixed central heat and air unit, is basically an air conditioner which you DO NOT HAVE TO TURN AROUND to change the output. That is accomplished with controls for VALVING which can REVERSE the flow of the referigerant, depending whether heating or cooling is required! Also, for very cold regions, instead of having an air "radiator" [coil and fins] to collect the very little heat from the very cold outside air, some heat pumps use a buried [underground in the yard] tubing system [circulating a liquid similar to water] to collect heat from the earth. The heat collecting grid is buried deep enough to be where the earth stays relatively warm [compared to the surface and air above]. Also, in very hot summer regions, this area stays relative cool compared to the air, and can be used to "dump" the heat from the air conditioning mode, increasing efficiency, and reducing operational costs! VERY simply, a heat pump is a REVERSABLE air conditioner. j3h.
What size btu pool heater will heat a 20000 gallon inground pool?
Need to know the surface square footage. Length X width only. Then, need to know the size and length of gas line run from the meter to the equipment pad; then the size in sq ft of filter, pump horse power, size of plumbing. Is there a heater already in place?
Ken
How do different color liners affect blueness of pool water?
The pool water draws its color from the liner. If you buy a white liner, then the pool water will not be blue. If you use a light blue liner, then the pool will be light blue. In my opinion, the best liner is a darker blue liner with ripples on it. Your pool will look gorgeous and inviting and the ripple effect makes it difficult to see any dirt in your pool. A solid color liner lets you see everything, which isn't always pretty.
Can you clean a pilot generator on a pool heater or do you just replace it?
replace it if you don't have the time to clean it.
What size gas piping should you use for installing a pool heater?
Need more info. How long a run from the gas meter to where the heater will be? How many BTU heater? The longer the run and the larger the heater size then the larger the pipe size.
Ken
Also one should know the heating value of the fuel as natural "gas" can be as low as 900 BTU per cu ft to 1,200 BTU per CU ft You should also know the BTU OUT put of the heater.
One should take the normal ambient temperature the volume L x W x H of the water to be heated and have n idea what the desired temperature of the water they are seeking
06/15/2013
(a) One needs to know whether this is a Natural Gas Appliance, or a Propane Appliance. ( Natural Gas is Low Pressure so needs greater volume < larger pipe>)
(b) w' Propane heater, run galvanized nipple from gas valve direct out of casing to 2nd stage Regulator. Include a "Drip T" to retrieve moisture. ( pipe size dictated by the thread on the gas valve. No restictions beween Regulator except an inline shut off valve. Include a Union inside the cabinet so you can remove and service burner tray if needed.
(c) w' Natural Gas utilize the manufacturer's specs .
Also A Manometer is an essential tool to check the inlet (static) gas pressure, and the valve open pressure to ensure sufficient gas flow to avoid "Sooting Up" the heat exchanger with a "lazy" flame ( gas starved ).
All pool heater manufacturers will provide their install specs. Call them and ask.
Always SOAP TEST all connections. Immediately after install prior to igniting the device, and again after running appliance ( heat can cause joint expansion).
Why do the bubbles go face down on a solar cover?
The bubbles go face down on the solar cover because when the sun hits the smooth side if the cover it warms the bubbles up on the other side & the bubbles on the solar cover holds more heat than the smooth side
If the Pilot light is burning, you don't want to try to jump terminals to get the heater to start heating. Most heaters have some sort of water flow sensor so it only fires the heater if water is moving fast enough through it to transfer heat from metal parts to pool water. If you jump to bypass the flow sensor you are risking seriously damaging the heater if it's trying to heat and the filter pump shuts off while you aren't standing nearby to turn off the heater as soon as, if not before the filter pump stops running.
I got hired to remove two LP fired pool heaters because the owner thought he could jump or bypass the flow sensor, the filter pump stopped while he wasn't there to shut off the heater, and by the time he returned, the heater flame was still burning strong and there were holes melted into the heat exchanger so next time he tried using filter system, the spraying water kept putting out the flame and flooding the fire chamber of his pool heater.
Is the solar blanket more efficient on or off the pool when the sun is shining on the water?
On, it does not stop the sun from heating the water, it holds the heat in though.
( evaporation cools it quickly and the cover prevents this )
