Replies

1. 
   SamT | Sep 19, 2003 01:46am | #1

   Dad,

   Water is an almost 100% efficient solar collector, but it losses heat erasily thru evaporation and convection. You can extend the season by just using a clear cover when not in use.

   SamT

   "You will do me the justice to remember that I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his opinion, however different that opinion may be to mine. He who denies to another this right, makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it."   Thomas Paine

1. 
   kaorisdad | Sep 19, 2003 01:56am | #2

   Sam,

   Thanks for the post.

   I have a cover, but it is a real pain in the @ss to take on and off.  In addition, I lose the view from my living room viewing the water.

   It appears that the cost is about $4000, but I'm not real sure how much of a temperature gain I'll really get.

1. 
   ken1 | Sep 20, 2003 11:52am | #3

   had a solar heater on my house in south west fla. it was on a tile roof east & south sides

   i found it gained about 3 degrees f a day on good days but lost 6 on cloudy days

   using a blanket helped retain heat

   found that the roof joints of heater developed a lot of leaks i guess due to summer heat

   in the summer it built up heat quickly , however i only used house as a winter home (dec-mar)

   i intended to install a gas heater ($3000) but sold house

   we tended to also look at water more than use it

2. 
   jhausch | Sep 20, 2003 02:31pm | #4

   I remember an article or TV piece about a guy that covered his pool with a layer of ping pong balls.  They retained heat and there was no need to "roll them back"; he just swam and dove through them. . . .

   Steelkilt Lives!