Replies to post #376 on Alternative Energy (ALTNRG)

[Toofuzzy]

How to heat a pool

1)put a "bubble pack" solar cover on the pool when not using it but only when you want it warmer. This is the cheapest thing you can do.

2) run a black plastic hose or "solarroll" (flat black plastic with small tubes ) all over your house roof and tied in to your pool filter in a way that you can shut off some vales and take it out of the system (because of too much heat or to drain) It needs to be a closed system so the pump has no additional work to do. This will have the added benifit of shading and cooling your roof.

There is a tradeoff of absolute eficiency and cost efficiency between colectors in boxes (less surface area) and just pipes.

3)don't even think of using copper!

Toofuzzy

[Bob Zumbrunnen]

That makes a lot of sense. I'll try that next time. Only downside is that in the summer, it's not unusual for it to be in the 90's at night.

But if a separate but similar cooler were made, with plentiful fins on the tubing, it could be very effective if it's cool enough out. Or a separate cooler that's buried.