Hot Water Software [RE-wrenches]

[graham at solarexpert.com]

Hi  Travis,

I have installed a number of solar pool heating systems in the Los 
Angeles area.  I also use the surface area of the pool for sizing 
systems.  The surface of the pool is where almost all of the heat is 
gained and lost.  Evaporation on the surface a pool can significantly 
reduce the water temperature (thermal mass), especially so when the wind 
is blowing.

What I look for when sizing a system is for three specific site 
conditions. 1. Is the pool in the shade or in direct sunlight during 
most of the day?  2. Can the solar panels face south, as opposed to east 
or west?   3.  Is the pool sheltered from prevailing winds?

If all of these site requirements are positive, I start with a minimum 
of 50 to 60% coverage.  Length of the pool x Width of the pool x 55%.  
If the panels face east and the pool is partially shaded I would install 
100% coverage.

The average pool in L.A. is 15' x 30' = 450 square feet x 55% = 248 
square feet.  Since the average pool panel is 4' x 10' I would divide 
248 by 40 = 6 panels. 

The temperature the client wants the pool must also be considered.  The 
trickiest part of most pool installations is how to get two 2" PVC pipes 
and the sensor wire from the pump to the side of the house where they go 
up to the roof.  I also closely check the condition of the roof and if 
the ceiling inside is open beam.

I prefer metal panels but some of the plastic panels seem to have 
improved lately.

I have more info on this web page www.solarexpert.com/poolheat.html

I hope this helps,

Graham Owen
GO Solar Company.


Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar wrote:
> FAFCO bases it on the surface ft2 of the pool.  They recommend that you
> should have collector sq. ft. equal to 70% of the surface of the the 
> pool. 
> That number is based on unglazed roof mounted collectors heating the 
> pool
> water directly.
> 
> You could do it manually pretty easily as well.  I can fwd. you the 
> crude
> EXCEL spread sheet I built to size my space heating system if you'd 
> like. 
> You'll have to find and enter the insolation values for your area.  It 
> might
> not work for you at all but it will help you build your own spread 
> sheet. 
> You'll have to calculate how many BTU's you need to keep the pool at the
> desired temp.  Then calculate how many sq. ft. of collector you need to
> maintain that temp.
> 
> Travis Creswell
> Ozark Solar
> ----------
> >From: "Windy Dankoff, Dankoff Solar" <windy at dankoffsolar.com>
> >To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> >Subject: Re: Hot Water Software [RE-wrenches]
> >Date: Thu, Oct 4, 2001, 11:30 AM
> >
> 
> >>Hullo there,
> >>
> >>I have need to run the numbers on a pool heating system using solar 
> >>water
> >>panels.
> >>
> >>I have tried  ...
> >
> >
> >I talked to Charlie Cromer at Florida Solar Energy Center. He's a 
> >respected authority on solar pool heating. They have a pool heating 
> >software package for sale but it is based only on climate data for 
> >Florida. He says it would take a lot of work by somebody who knows 
> >the system to work in data from other regions.
> >
> >He said that the US Dept. of Energy had software called RESPECT, 
> >which stands for REsidential Solar Pool something. It is 10 years old 
> >and hasn't been maintained. He didn't sound very enthused about its 
> >practicality.
> >
> >I would check with some of the pool collector manufacturers next.
> >
> >Please keep us all informed if you find out anything, Carl.
> >
> >Windy
> >
> 
> 
> 

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