SECTION TWO

HEATING DATA

SECTION 2 - HEATING DATA

Page S2-2

PCS1 SOLAR THEORY

1. Solar heat energy radiates onto roof

2. Roof is a massive solar collector

3. Roof absorbs solar heat energy

4. Roof conducts heat energy into attic

5. Attic stores/builds up heat energy

6. PCS1 removes heat from attic

7. PCS1 transfers heat to pool

8. Solar process is continuous

SECTION 2 - HEATING DATA

Page S2-3

PCS1 SOLAR HEATING

Solar heating depends upon weather conditions. The sunnier it is the more solar radiation

and the more resultant heat that is available for your swimming pool. Conventional heaters are

sized to achieve a substantial gain in pool temperature of 10-30º F in a 24-hour period. It is

therefore typical to find conventional fossil fuel swimming pool heaters with ratings of 150,000 to

300,000 btus per hour.

Solar heaters do not attempt to raise the pool’s temperature by that large a change in a single

24-hour period. A more likely scenario is that it will take two weeks for your solar heater to raise

your pool temperature to the desired level. Once this is reach, the solar heater works daily to

maintain the temperature by replacing the lost heat with new solar derived heat.

The difference in heating techniques can be thought of as pulse heating and constant

heating. Solar heaters are constant heaters and are therefore rated lower. Typical ratings of solar

heaters are from 35,000 to 60,000 btus per hour for residential swimming pools. Heat pumps for

swimming pools are rated similar to solar heaters and are also designed to provide a continuous

supply of heat to the pool.

The PCS1 behaves just like a solar panel system in that it will bring the pool up to

temperature over a two-week period and then work to keep it there. Obviously, if you have poor

weather, the performance of the PCS1, like solar panel heaters, will be poorer than if you have

good sunny weather. Other factors will influence the availability of pool heat and these are

described later in the “Common Questions” section of the manual. This would include color of

roof, etc.