Solar-powered Pool Among First of its Kind
Jan 18, 2007
John Anderson, one of the nation's foremost swimming pool builders, installed the first of a new line of solar-powered pool heating systems in the country in his back yard.
"What we are trying to do is eliminate the use of fossil fuels and creation of greenhouse gases,” said the owner of Anderson Pools & Spas at 811 N. Thompson Lane.
Anderson said the heating system was developed in eastern Europe out of necessity. Residents there use the devices to heat water for use in their homes because of the high cost of fossil fuels.
The solar pool heating systems are manufactured in Slovakia but are distributed by the London-based Genersys.
"We have been using solar panels in the U.S. since 1983, but in Europe where energy is so scarce and expensive they have been using state-of-the-art systems that put ours to shame," Anderson said. "So we decided to try it."
Genersys thermal solar technology is the cost-effective way to heat any size swimming pool, according to the company.
Anderson said he heard about the new system in February through Aquatech, an exclusive Society of Pool Building Professionals. He had been trying to arrange for Genersys’ engineers to come to Murfreesboro ever since. Two engineers one from Slovakia and another from Germany visited the city a few weeks ago and taught Anderson and his crew to install and operate the system.
"It is an absolute priority here to stay on the cutting edge" of new technology, Anderson said. "That is what has built out business and reputation."
Anderson said he doesn't know how much the heating systems will cost. The system will pay for itself in energy savings.
"I think the more expensive energy gets the more of a market there will be," he said.
Genersys designs pool systems using indirect heat exchange systems and high-quality thermal panels designed to have a life span of 35 years. They are made from easily recyclable materials such as aluminum, copper and glass.
According to Genersys’ Web site, thermal solar panels are installed on a south facing roof or any south facing surface.
Panels are connected through a sealed circuit to a chlorine resistant pool heat exchange. The sealed circuit is filled with an antifreeze solution. Heat is generated through the thermal panels, and a modulating pump pushes the antifreeze solution along with the heat to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger then carries the heat but not the antifreeze to the pool water that is pumped through it.
The system can be used in the winter months unlike other solar-powered systems because of the antifreeze solution.
"That is one of the biggest advantages to this system is that you can use it year round," Anderson said.
But using the new system for his pool wasn't enough for Anderson.
"We decided since we heat the pool only five months out of the year that it would be a shame not to install a solar hot water heater," Anderson said.
He installed a tankless water heater that only heats water when there is a demand.
The Genersys system is sophisticated and can be set to heat water for use in the home first and then for the swimming pool, Anderson said.
By ERIN EDGEMON
Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.
Anderson Pools & Spas
811 N. Thompson Lane
867-7000
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