Will Building a Solar Panel Work For My Pool?
Have you been thinking of using solar panels to heat your swimming pool? You’re in luck! Installing solar panels to heat your pool won’t set you back much. You can even build them yourself for under 0 in materials and less than a weekend’s worth of work. An added benefit is that, after the initial installation cost, you won’t be paying an ongoing fuel bill.
More Advice on Building Solar Methods Here
Before you decide to use solar panels to heat your pool, there are some key things to think about. First, will your solar panel system be exposed to enough sunlight during the day? These types of solar panels are passive systems. They’re typically made of plastic coils filled with water and placed between sheets of shatter-resistant glass. The sun heats the water that has collected in the coils. The water is then circulated into the pool.
If your property is surrounded by tall trees that shade your house and yard, it may not get sufficient sunlight for a passive pool heater. But an elevated rooftop that looks to south or west is an excellent spot for solar panels to get ample access to the sun throughout the day.
Domestic Solar Energy Technology is Now Easily Affordable
Next, think about the difference between the temperature you want your pool to be and the temperature outside. For example, if you’re trying to heat your outdoor pool in Michigan to 78 degrees in freezing temperatures, you’ll want to stick with a pool cover and a serious gas heater. On the other hand, if you want to heat your outdoor pool in Florida to 80 degrees in 50-degree weather, then a solar heating system would be ideal.
If you do install a solar heater, you’ll still want to cover your pool whenever the air is cooler than your pool’s water temperature. Any time you see steam rising from the pool’s surface, it’s best to use the pool cover to retain the heat.
You Will Be Amazed at The Ease With Which Building Solar Panel Cells Are Done
Here’s a word of caution if you’re just learning about solar heating systems. Some people mistakenly believe that they might save even more money if they used their pool’s solar heater to heat water for their house. However, the two systems should not be mixed or used together. Your pool water is going to contain chlorine and muriatic acid. It won’t hurt you to swim in it or to swallow a little, but you really don’t want to add it to your home’s drinking water system. Installing a solar water heating system for your home is an entirely separate project.
Know This BEFORE Building A Swimming Pool
Incredible Swimming Pools Spas & Hot Tubs
Building a New Swimming Pool
While this slow economy is upside down, every purchase counts, so, when undertaking a substantial investment, like purchasing a new swimming pool, you should make sure that ones finances are spent wisely. When considering to build a new pool or spa, your decision should be a deliberated decision. There are hundreds of ways to build a new swimming pool, and some of these ways are not the best long term investment. Some swimming pool companies specialize in some of the best construction techniques for building a new pool, while other companies focus on building cheap & quick pools for their clients. The single biggest decision in buying a new pool is the selection of the swimming pool builder. The actual design, planning, material selections and layout of the swimming pool project is a close second place. The later are a few items that you should consider before building your own swimming pool.
Hiring a Pool Company -This is probably one of the most important steps, so you need to do the most research on the actual pool company before hiring them. Pool and Spa builders are famous for being some of the most complained-about contractors in the construction industry. For the easy fact that any pool contractor can build swimming pools with a pickup and a few subcontractors. Being this reason along, the new pool buyer should find what type of company they are hiring, and performing research on the size and history or the business will unveil the most. Here are a few simple suggestions to consider when making a pool contractor selection:
- Business Longevity - hiring a pool company that has been in business for less than 3 years is high risk. It make take several years for pool warranties to become evident, so you could be considering someone on the edge of some huge warranty issues. Look for a swimming pool company that has been doing business for more than three years.
- Business Size – the size of a swimming pool builder can reveal a lot about the actual pool builder.Since a swimming pool company only needs a truck and a list of subcontractors, finding an actual builder that has employees is key. Having employees, sales team, or an administrative staff is a definite signal that he is committed to building a good pool business.
- Proper Licenses – Most cities demand a swimming pool license before a pool contractor can develop a swimming pool. Pool builders actually have to have as many as 5 years of experience in building pools before they can procure a license. In fact, it’s easily the most difficult of any licenses to obtain. Make sure your pool builder has the proper licenses necessary to construct swimming pools legally.
- Pool Business Record – It’s an quick trip to go online and do some research on the pool experts you are considerting. Check with local pool charters, National Pool Associations (APSP – Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, the Better Business Bureau, or any other means of contractor reviews.
- Business Image – When considering a huge investment like a swimming pool, it’s great to consider a pool company that looks professional. Paying attention to the appearance of a companies vehicles, staff, office facilities, and website are all methods to determine what type of work you should be expecting.
- Construction Techniques – There are many ways to build pools. Understanding the methods on how that pool builder designs and builds swimming pools will help you consider if that swimming pool contractor is for you.
- Go with your GUT – There’s a lot to be said of “human instinct”, so after doing your research on the company, it’s staff, and it’s techniques – just go with your gut feeling!
After you have selected a swimming pool contractor to build your new pool, then it is time to focus on a few other selections. During the selection process, you may have had the swimming pool company provide you with some design ideas. This is a great first step, and will help push you through to the next step. Designing a pool to fit your budget, your overall family wants, and overall look is critical. Be sure to spend proper time when designing your new swimming pool. Make sure you design and install the things in your new swimming pool that will make you happy your bought it. A landscaping and pool expert remarks, “Remember, pool remodels Phoenix can {take quite a lot of effort & can be costly, so do it correctly the first time~Remember, a Phoenix pool remodeling project can be quite time-consuming and expensive, so make sure you do it proper the first time, claims an expert in Arizona swimming pools and landscape}!
Finally, the actual pool construction should be a major concern for swimming pool buyers. Here are several phases of building a new swimming pool, and how each phase should be constructed to ensure longevity for your new pool.
Plumbing a Pool: Pool plumbing is not given the respect that it deserves, since it’s mostly covered up by the concrete & decking. The plumbing of the pool is probably one of the most important factors of the pool, and using proper PVC pipes & fittings is key. Look for a company that pays special attention to pool plumbing. Things to look for: Over-sized pipes, 45 degree plumbing, Additional plumbing, flow control valves, and organization of plumbing pipes.
Steel & Rebar: Structural steel and re-bar is what holds the shell of the pool together. The more steel the better, the closer the spacing, the better. The bond beam is a structural part of the swimming pool (and it could fail over time), so make sure it has up to 4 steel bars!).
Pool Pumps/Filters: One of the most expensive investments in a new swimming pool is the pool equipment. Many swimming pool companies look for short cuts to save money on inefficient pumps, improper filters, and other sub-standard parts.Pentair Pool Products have some of the best & eco-friendly pool and spa products out there today. Find a swimming pool contractor that uses professional swimming pool equipment and knows how to install equipment.
Swimming Pool Shell: The gunite shell of the pool is composed of concrete, and this is what holds the pool together for life. It’s a feature that should last the lifetime of the swimming pool, and to help achieve this – using a fortified concrete (3000 PSI (or higher)), fibermesh reinforcement, and a 3-day water-cure technique.
Pool Interior: Not all interior surfaces are equal. Find a company that uses some of the best and most reputable interior finishes available. PebbleTec is one of the best brand names in the pool business. There are other surfacing materials available, and find a company that excels in the installation of any surface.
Landscaping & Patios: Most swimming pool contractors do not finish the actual landscape or decking part of the project. Selecting a company that can complete the landscaping and hardscape portion of the project will make life easier for the homeowner. Pool Builders will ofter bring a local landscaping design company to you, but the best bet is to find a good landscape and pool company that can do it all!
Buying or building a new swimming pool can be a very enjoyable experience, and a great way to increase the value of your home, as well as get outside and have fun! If you do the proper research, and understand you get what you pay for… your new swimming pool will be the center of your family parties for years to come.
A Guide to Water Balance For Swimming Pool and Maintenance
Attention: Water balance is very important to ensure that your swimming pool chemicals work properly and for as long as they should
Before adding pool chemicals it is important that you read and familiarise yourself with the workings of your spa / pool and support equipment. Good water circulation and filtration are essential to achieving a safe and clear bathing environment.
Water balance is the first thing to establish when treating your pool or spa. This helps make sure the later stps like sanitation are effective and use the minimum chemicals required The main criteria affecting water balance are calcium hardness, pH and Total Alkalinity.
Calcium hardness
Hardness depends on the levels of calcium salt in your water. This depends on where you live Low calcium hardness levels (soft water) can lead to corrosion of the materials of construction. Hard water (water high in calcium) can lead to limescale foriming in your pipes and equipment
Calcium Hardness Guide Measures
• Ideal calcium hardness levels are between 100 – 200 ppm (mg/l).
• If the level is below 75 ppm (mg/l), apply Hardness Plus
• If the level exceeds 200 ppm (mg/l), apply Scale Inhibitor.
pH Measures
pH can range from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acid and 14 very alkaline Make sure you keep your water within the 7.2-7.6 range which, being slightly alkaline, will protect equipment from corrosion and give the optimum conditions for the swimmers enjoying the pool or spa and also gives the best sanitiser efficiency.
• Ideal pH level for spas is between 7.2 – 7.6.
• If the level drops below use pH Plus
• When the measurement is greater than 7.6 apply pH Minus
Note
pH in Spas can be tricky to control because the water is circulated fast and the temperature is set higher. These issues mean that pH will fluctuate more than with a pool
As a consequence rises in pH will lead the performance of chlorine (HOCl) sanitisers such as chlorine granules to drop dramatically. Much higher doses of chlorine sanitisers such as will then be required. You can avoid this by using Bromine which is more stable over a larger range of pH than Chlorine Unlike chlorine, bromine keeps working in a spa for longer and so helps you minimise your spa chemicalsuse
Total Alkalinity
Total alkalinity works to buffer pH changes The water pH varies drastically when Total Alkalinity levels are very low
High levels of TA will not only affect water clarity, but also make pH adjustments extremely difficult.
• optimum Total Alkalinity is 100 ppm (mg/l) When it drops below 80mg/l remedy it with Alkalinity Plus
• When Total Alkalinity exceeds 140mg/l use pH Minus to reduce it
Water balance should be checked regularly and, certainly, every time you top up or refill your pool or spa.
Test Strips/kits are available for you to test the water regularly.