milliond Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Hello, I am new to this forum, and to pools/spa in general so forgive any stupid questions. I have found the forum very useful but have a couple of questions. I have a 12ftx30" pool and it is freezing cold at the moment, im in the UK. I have been looking at a couple of electric heaters, but i know nothing about which ones best or how long I would need to leave it running to heat the pool. The ones I am looking at are : O'Blue 5Kw - http://oblue.co.uk/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=6 3kw BESTWAY - http://www.ourtoystore.co.uk/swimming-pool-accessories/intex-pool-heater-3kw-220volts-for-pools-upto-15ft Can anyone offer any advice or have any suggestions on these models, or is there a better (but not much more expensive) way to do this? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britinusa Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 Do you have a solar cover? If not you must get one. I believe that a 3kw heater is around 10,000 btu's which will only really "take the edge off" we have a 60,000 btu heat pump heater on a 15 foot pool and it raises the temp about 2c in 4 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polyvue Posted June 28, 2010 Report Share Posted June 28, 2010 I have a 12ftx30" pool and it is freezing cold at the moment, im in the UK.The ones I am looking at are : O'Blue 5Kw - http://oblue.co.uk/c...duct_detail&p=6 3kw BESTWAY - http://www.ourtoysto...pools-upto-15ft I'm in agreement with britinusa... the heat output of the electric heater's you've mentioned may not be sufficient. I installed an 18 kW electric heater so that I could heat my 750 gallon in-ground spa in the winter (0 degree Celsius air temperature) from 10 to 38 degrees C. --- it takes hours and hours to accomplish this. If you can install a gas-fired heater or heat pump that would be a better choice, either would provide superior heating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milliond Posted June 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2010 Hello, Thanks very much for the quick replies. I dont currently have a solar cover, do you have a reccommendations for a solar cover, i have looked but again...i dont know what is best as there seem to be so many options. My pool holds approx 7000ltrs Also, would a solar heater do any good? El Nino Basic Solar Heating - http://www.jacksons-camping.co.uk/swimming/elnino.htm thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britinusa Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 I cant really speak for the covers you have over there as im not familiar with them, A solar heating system may give you better results as long as the solar panels get lots of direct sunlight, I would guess around 6 hours a day. Out of interest what type of pool do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polyvue Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 I dont currently have a solar cover, do you have a reccommendations for a solar cover, i have looked but again...i dont know what is best as there seem to be so many options.My pool holds approx 7000ltrs Also, would a solar heater do any good? El Nino Basic Solar Heating - http://www.jacksons-...ming/elnino.htm 3 meter diameter by 1 meter depth round? A sheet of plastic of almost any thickness would help retain heat... lost mostly through evaporative cooling and, in most places, at night. There are many sources for inexpensive plastic bubble "solar" covers in the US; I'm sure this also applies to the UK. Most pool owners seem to get the most utility from 12-16 mil blue covers, but clear also works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milliond Posted July 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 I cant really speak for the covers you have over there as im not familiar with them, A solar heating system may give you better results as long as the solar panels get lots of direct sunlight, I would guess around 6 hours a day. Out of interest what type of pool do you have? Hi, its a bestway 12ft round pool about 32" deep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britinusa Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 There is a company called splashandrelax they have a website they sell the pools you have and they also have solar covers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBusy Posted July 11, 2011 Report Share Posted July 11, 2011 You may have already tackled this problem but in case you have not, and for the benefit of others, I share the following: As far as solar covers, the typical one here in the states is sold by companies such as Leslie Pools. Leslie Pool Solar Covers: http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Pool-Covers/Solar-Covers.html I strongly recommend the light blue style with a flat surface on the top and bubbles on the bottom. The light blue color is more effective because it allows light to travel deeper into the water. Initially, I had only two solar panels but they were located on the ground which I eventually figured out was a giant heat sink, robbing the solar panels of the solar heating. I solved this by elevating the solar panels and installing a check valve, vapor pressure valve and pressure gauge to monitor output into the pool. I also installed a gas fired heater but do not need it yet because the solar panels are delivering a constant 85-88˚F after a day of solar heating in conjunction with use of the solar blanket. I am very happy with my design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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