WorldwideDave
Solar Addict
I've proven in the last 3 months that I can run a pool pump and pool heater from solar. But the pool heater is a gas-powered, 10,000 BTU, about 60% efficient, super expensive to run because of the price of gas.
Doing this experiment, I have reduced my electric bill by just over $500 over 3 months, but by running the heater longer into the season - 2 months longer so far - I am paying way more in gas than I was in the past. About $600 more in gas bill over past 2 months, so it has effectively cost me $50 per month - $100 for 2 months - more than I spent in years past. Not bad, that's about $13 per week to keep the pool up at 90 degrees.
Having said that, I would like to reduce that gas bill from $300 a month to zero, then the savings a year from now will be $3,600.
I see some people are using heat pumps as 'dump loads'. I just don't know much about heat pumps for heating a pool. Not sure what the cost will be. Not sure if they run on 120V or have to run on 240V. Also not sure what to expect - will it raise the pool temp about 1 degree an hour, or about .25 degrees an hour? No idea how effective they would be for my installation.
I am a better plumber than electrician, so I can likely handle the installation myself.
Obliviously pool water is a bit different than house water - I can't install like a home water heater and have the pool pump circulate water through that electric element to heat it up or anything.
I did remember that when we had our farm we had these little things we floated in the water troughs for the horses so the water did not freeze that ran on 120V. Wondering if something like that exists only larger to heat a pool. No idea.
Thanks for reading as always!
Doing this experiment, I have reduced my electric bill by just over $500 over 3 months, but by running the heater longer into the season - 2 months longer so far - I am paying way more in gas than I was in the past. About $600 more in gas bill over past 2 months, so it has effectively cost me $50 per month - $100 for 2 months - more than I spent in years past. Not bad, that's about $13 per week to keep the pool up at 90 degrees.
Having said that, I would like to reduce that gas bill from $300 a month to zero, then the savings a year from now will be $3,600.
I see some people are using heat pumps as 'dump loads'. I just don't know much about heat pumps for heating a pool. Not sure what the cost will be. Not sure if they run on 120V or have to run on 240V. Also not sure what to expect - will it raise the pool temp about 1 degree an hour, or about .25 degrees an hour? No idea how effective they would be for my installation.
I am a better plumber than electrician, so I can likely handle the installation myself.
Obliviously pool water is a bit different than house water - I can't install like a home water heater and have the pool pump circulate water through that electric element to heat it up or anything.
I did remember that when we had our farm we had these little things we floated in the water troughs for the horses so the water did not freeze that ran on 120V. Wondering if something like that exists only larger to heat a pool. No idea.
Thanks for reading as always!