Posts: 2,980
Threads: 177
Joined: Aug 2006
I didn't think of Drainpipe! Very nice people. I'll give them a call.
Pool guys don't do this. There are two things I'e had trouble adjusting to: 1) Small town life --never lived in a small town before and 2) The way that people, like pool guys and yardworkers etc, come and go. Just vanish.
Kelena, my friend ... Save your money and buy a floating "bubble wrap" cover first. NOT an opaque heavy thing that sags across. ... Not sure your pool size, but you can even get them from Wal-Mart online.
Studies indicate that heat loss is 56% by evaporation, 26% by radiation, and 18% by convection. I.E. If you not in, please leave it on.
You will be amazed by the difference. Not only will it raise / retain temps, you will have lower maintenance and WAY less junk ending up deep ... still talking about pools here. Everything stays on top so you can gather it as you reel the cover and flick it out ...
So so EZ to just pull these off or even make a little reel / roll up thingy that you can wisk the cover off in a couple minutes before everyone shows up ... Then 3 minutes after to pull it back over the pool sans drama.
There are dozens of solar pool projects. Basic stuff that is fun, rewarding + looks good. ... If you have time, check them out. Even if only for a pet project, outdoor shower.
That said, please try the bubble wrap cover first, this is one choice you will never regret and it may be enough that no other action ness.
If you don't like it for the pool fold it up for a guest bed or cut it up for shipping.
aloha,
pog
edit to add ... pog, former pool builder and owner
Posts: 926
Threads: 131
Joined: Mar 2012
Pog's suggestion makes sense.
I tried something similar with our [approx. 250 gal] spa tub.
By removing the insulated cover during the day, then covering the water's surface with clear visquene, I could raise the water's temp from the low 70s to the high 70s.
That was while under a pergola, surrounded by trees, and not getting all that much direct sun light.
EDIT:
I did look into placing a black irrigation pipe collector on the pergola's roof with a solar powered circulation pump. Looked to be viable. I just never followed up on it.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Was a Democrat until gun control became a knee jerk, then a Republican until the crazies took over, back to being a nonpartisan again.
This time, I can no longer participate in the primary.
Posts: 2,980
Threads: 177
Joined: Aug 2006
Oh, POG...you know too much! Sure you're talking about pools?! Way off the deep end!
There's no evaporation in Hawaii in winter, studies show. I have no idea what "convection" means in relation to a pool. I would certainly hate to look out at night and see anything swirling up and away from my pool. The things I've seen in my pool are shocking enough. But it's the things that I never once saw in my pool that I think about sometimes. Not often. But sometimes. You can't help wondering.
I do think it cools down with heat being "radiated" away and with friggin' cold rain being dropped in it.
Okay, I'll try the bubble wrap.
Posts: 1,163
Threads: 32
Joined: Aug 2009
We tried the insulated "bubble wrap" cover on our pool and didn't find it to be very useful. Rain and cool night temps dropped the pool temperature despite the cover, and as Kelena mentions, evaporation isn't much of a factor here. All the leaves and debris that collected on the cover would dump into the pool as it was being rolled off the pool surface (rather than being collected by the skimmer on an on-going basis). And finally, we weren't able to find a cover big enough for our pool (14x40) on Island, so it cost a fortune to ship from the mainland - the box was light, but big.
Not argue here, just stating a point. We STILL get evaporation and the rest of the world gets rain too. ... Of course the overnight temps gonna drop, but no where nearly as much a N d water heats up MORE with cover on. Win win.
The stuff is in the pool, nothing prevents that and skimmer gonna get it, but even heavy stuff on the cover it's easy. Catch it just as the cover almost comes out. Much easier than trolling it off the bottom.
Bottom line is the cover works amazingly well.
You can order HD bubble wrap from places like Uline.com as well ... Does not have to be a single sheet.
Posts: 357
Threads: 17
Joined: Feb 2014
I think unless its frozen or covered water evaporates. even in Puna. at a slower rate in winter? I'll buy that. I know the bubble wrap works, my grandpa been using it for that since it was invented. Or about that long.
Posts: 1,219
Threads: 52
Joined: Dec 2014
You can create a basic solar heater pretty easily, the pool is your "storage tank."
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Wat...ermosyphon
+ 100 on these SW.
I've read nearly all of them. ... I'm not sure Kelena is up for these but they work amazingly well ... Kelena, just check them out.
The cool stuff ( no pun intended ) are the passive cooling set ups as well.
aloha,
pog
