Yes, generally. On a 70º F sunny day, find out what the temperature is inside the attic at its peak.
Acceptable attics will be 100º F or higher. Take the test when the Sun is shining and between 1-4 PM in
the day. Power ventilators must be turned off the day before.
Some natural air vents or wind driven turbines may have to be shut off also. This test assumes that
Flowreversal™ and a blanket are used with the system and that the attic is equal to or greater than the
pool's surface size in square footage [Or, the roof itself is two times the size of the pool in sq ft area].
In areas where the pool needs to be winterized, the PCS1 also needs to be winterized. Winterize
the pool as otherwise would be required. When blowing out the water from the support system's pipes
with air, cycle the bypass valve and blow out the water through the PCS1 also.
After the pump has been shut down and secured to prevent it from restarting, winterize the PCS1
by first removing the inlet union on the top of the PCS1 and tilting the opposite side up two inches to
ensure all water is drained out of the bottom of the PCS1 coil through the outlet pipe. Then remove the
outlet union and add 1/2 gallon of non-toxic antifreeze to the bottom of the PCS1 coil. Reconnect both
inlet and outlet unions. The PCS1 has been winterized. Now finish the balance of the support system and
pool winterization.
Visually inspect the PCS1 for any signs of freeze damage caused by improper winterization.
Specifically inspect the bottom of the finned pipe area for any signs of damage. Do this from the rear of
the unit [finned side] and also from the front of the unit inspecting through the protective screen. The side
panel can be removed for an internal inspection if desired. Check the inlet and outlet unions for proper
connection and tightness. Do not over tighten PVC unions.
Open the pool up but leave the bypass valve and PCS1 off until the pool water is once again clear
visually, does not smell of chlorine and is potable [optimum chemically for swimming]. Once the algae
growth, other debris, etc. has been removed and the pool is ready for swimming chemically, then activate
the PCS1. This procedure prevents the initial poor chemical environment caused during the extended time
being winterized from entering the PCS1 and reducing its optimum life expectancy.
The real question is: “Will the PCS1 work as well as a solar panel system on my house?”On a
roof where a properly sized solar panel system will work, the PCS1 will work better for two reasons.
First, the area of collector is more massive in the form of your roof. This means that more solar energy
will be available in the form of heat than could be expected from a solar panel system [solar radiation
radiates on more surface area]. Second, if installed with flowreversal™ as specified, the pool will make
better use of the heat put into it by being an efficient pool. Remember: heat rises and 60-70% of the heat
loss on your pool is directly from the surface of the pool. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to heat water and
put it into the top of the pool. With flowreversal™, the heated water rises from the pool’s main drain
making the pool an efficient user of heat! SolarAttic offers a unique performance guarantee. SolarAttic
guarantees that your system will perform as good as or better than any solar panel system or we will buy it
back. See the company’s “Performance Guarantee.”
You can. In fact, we supply the flowreversal™ valves for you along with instructions. However,
remember that the true function of a pool blanket is to minimize the surface heat losses from the pool [not
to supply heat to the pool]. With flowreversal™ you’ll find that your pool performs better! Remember
also that the pool blanket can require two people to place on and take off. Or, a big “roller” at the end of
the pool that constantly gets in your way. Any pool that can produce an acceptable swimming
environment with flowreversal™ and a pool blanket -- can produce an even better swimming environment
with the PCS1. You may even find out that little or no use of the pool blanket is required except at the
start or end of your season!
Some newer pools are equipped with in floor circulation systems that provide a better cleaning
environment while allowing the heated water to rise from the bottom of the pool. Consult with your pool
contractor to determine if heated water can rise from the bottom of the pool. If it can’t, we recommend that
the flowreversal™ valves be installed.
Aboveground pools can alter the plumbing pipes to allow the water to rise from the bottom of the
pool if desired. The flowreversal™ valves are not needed.
Existing solar systems that still have a functional controller and bypass valve do not need these
components. We still recommend the flowreversal™ valves since most solar panel systems will not have
them installed with the system. Check with the installer of your solar panel system if you have any
questions.
a) Determine the vertical distance from the pump to the PCS1 located in your attic; b) divide this
vertical distance by 2.31 to calculate the added pressure to the pump; c) add this additional pressure to your
existing pool’s pressure which can be usually read directly off of a filter pressure gauge; d) ask your pool
contractor if the pump installed will handle the total pressure [added lift].
An alternate approach is to use the existing pump and observe for any problems. If the pump is
inadequate, poor filtration will occur resulting in a “cloudy” pool [Note: this would be the direct result of a
dramatic reduction in the pool’s water flow rate]. Also the pump may cutoff due to thermal overload.
Repeated cutout of the pumps thermal breaker indicates the pump is too small. Upgrading by 1/2
horsepower should do the job.
You cannot simply feel the side of the pump’s motor. The motor should normally be running “too
hot” to touch. If the pump was sized for filtration using a timer [less than 24 hours], the pump is probably
adequate in size to handle the lift to the PCS1. If the pump is running 24 hours a day [no timer], it may
require upgrading. This latter case allows a pool contractor to install a smaller pump to accomplish the
same filtration needs that a larger pump will accomplish in less time. Both approaches are used for a
variety of technical reasons. In fact, it’s still argued [in the industry] about which method results in the
least amount of pump operating costs.
One approach to the attic installation is the enlarged closet access [see question #3]. Assuming you
have used this approach, install an eye bolt near the peak and use a one ton come along or other pulley type
of device to lift the PCS1 up into the attic. Be sure to center the lift and use straps under the unit. See the
installation manual for additional details.
The PCS1 is shipped in a wooden crate that weighs 246-253 lbs. This crate must be removed
from a carrier’s truck, which can range from a small delivery truck to a semi trailer. When the carrier
calls, tell them you’ll need help removing the unit from the truck. Make sure they have a lift gate and a
dolly. This will make it easier to remove the unit from the truck. If no way exists for removing the unit in
its crated state, unpack the unit and inspect it. This will reduce the weight down to 134 lbs. and two
people can easily handle it.
Yes: The PCS1 can be manually turned on during the evening hours to cool down an overheated
pool. In this case, the heat exchanger will work in the reverse mode. The hot pool water will be routed up
to the PCS1 while cooler attic air will be drawn across the heat exchanger. This manual operation ignores
the temperature control sensors. To be effective, some ventilation must be present in the attic to allow the
heated attic air to escape into the atmosphere.
Cooling down an overheated pool is a common need during the hot summer months in some parts
of the country.
Yes: The PCS1 can be fully automated by installing the Compool LX220 temperature controller
available from SolarAttic, Inc. An electric valve actuator [VOR for valve operator] physically sits on top
of the bypass valve. When heat is available for the pool or spa, the controller automatically turns the
VOR, which then turns the shaft of the bypass valve to the correct position. The pool owner simply sets
the desired temperature on the controller.
Yes: The PCS1 can be semi automated by using the existing pool’s timer in conjunction with a
manual bypass valve and a daylight sensor. The bypass valve is left in the on position. The pump timer
operates the pump during daylight for 10 hours. The light sensor ensures the pump only runs during
daylight.
This simple automation assumes that when it is daylight, heat will be available. It has some
drawbacks and limitations. First, if heat is not in the attic, the PCS1 could operate in the reverse mode and
may actually be cooling down the pool. Second, filtration time may be confused by lack of sunlight. An
alternate method is to simply operate the bypass valve manually each day.
For best results, the company recommends that the PCS1 be fully automated so maximum heat can
be extracted automatically from the attic and put into the pool.
Generally, No: The PCS1 will function year around in many locations taking out all available heat
from the attic and putting it into the pool. However, a more appropriate question is: "Will the PCS1 heat
my pool to 85 degrees year around?"We do not know of any location where the PCS1 will do this in the
United States. We also do not know of any location where solar panels will do this in the United States.
As a rule of thumb, the PCS1 will usually perform as well as a solar panel system that is properly sized.
Even in southern parts of the USA, solar energy wanes and does not work well during the months of
November through January. By mid February, solar energy begins to intensify and it performs better for
the pool. You can expect to significantly lengthen your swimming season with the PCS1. And, your
enjoyment of the pool will be much greater. However, in the USA if you want year around heating of the
pool, you will need to augment the PCS1 with a conventional heater during non-solar periods. In some
tropical areas, we expect that the PCS1 would heat the pool year around to a comfortable temperature.
Contact your local distributor or dealer for a current price estimate on equipment and installation
The Total installed cost will depend upon dealer pricing policies and the difficulty of the installation. It
will also depend upon whether it is a Manual System, Auto System or Auto+ System with flowreversal.
Payback is estimated between two-four years when compared to gas heaters and one year when
compared to electric heaters.
YES. This is one of the most exciting and hottest business opportunities existing! And, it's
now! Limited exclusive territories are available. A limited amount of factory dealerships will be granted
so our dealers will have a "real opportunity". It is also "ground floor" and "wide open". The opportunity
also does not cost an arm and a leg or a lot of "blue sky". The company is seeking long term win-win
relationships. The product is a "patented & exclusive" one.
that put money into their pocket. The PCS1 pays for itself!
reducing the "ozone problem" by not using chlorofluorocarbons.
in reducing the "greenhouse" problem by not using fossil fuels.
in using an alternative renewable solar energy resource.
of enjoying solar energy benefits without "ugly & obtrusive" roof panels.
of swimming in a warmer swimming pool.
and “restrictive energy use laws”.
from reduced or eliminated air-conditioning costs.
of electricity to run the PCS1 as opposed to natural gas and other fossil fuels.
period and knowing that the system will result in continued energy savings.
device that heats their pools without all the problems of solar panel devices.
