Heated pools do result in more evaporation, so more make-up water is required to refill heated pools than unheated pools. Whether using solar heating, heat pumps, or gas heaters, heated pools do require more water. But how much will the increase in water usage cost? We have heard just about every question imaginable when it comes to solar pool heating. …
Pentair Introduces Intelliflo VSF Variable Speed/Flow Pump
The Industry Leader Gets Better Pentair has combined the features of its variable speed (VS) and variable flow (VF) pumps into one model that does both. The new model is the Intelliflo VSF. This is the first swimming pool pump on the market that can perform variable speed and flow functions in a single unit. We previously recommended the Pentair …
Solar Sales Consultations are Enlightening
Our clients consistently comment that they learned so much after having us in their home for a sales consultation on solar panels. When we hear that, we know we’ve done our jobs. Sometimes they say that after making a decision that solar isn’t right for them, and that’s okay. Other times, they have shifted gears completely after learning a key …
New Aerial Solar Site Analysis Tool
Florida Solar Design Group has acquired new tools to process solar site analyses. This exciting technology provides three-dimensional site maps from unmanned aerial systems (UAS). We can now process huge amounts of data with amazing precision. This provides shading analysis, visualization, layout assistance, and crew mobilization advantages. As the only solar contractor in Southwest Florida who is also a FAA licensed …
Finance Your Solar Pool Heater
Solar Loans and Deferred Payments For Every Budget We are pleased to announce a new financing option for our valued solar pool heating clients. Through a manufacturer relationship we can now offer low payments on solar pool heaters starting at just $50 per month. Enjoy Your Pool Without The Up-Front Cost! Pay Less Than a Traditional Heater For less then the …
Do Solar Pool Heating Panels Melt or Burn
the We have heard just about every question about solar pool heating panels. But we never gave much thought to what happens to them in a fire. We just assumed that in a serious house fire or if exposed to flame that the panels would simply melt. We did some research and found that polyethylene, which is in the polyolefin …
Solar Panels for Swimming Pool in Naples, FL
These solar panels for a swimming pool in Naples, FL were installed by Florida Solar Design Group recently. This “banked” system was sized for a large pool with lots of water features, needing maximum heating performance. Naples has one of the highest densities of swimming pools in Florida. Despite the southern Florida location, most homeowners find that they need to …
March 2017 Solar Panel Design Layouts
Here are some recent solar panel layout we have done for clients. These three dimensional computer models are produced to accurately size and depict solar panels on roofs using aerial imagery and a proprietary process that we developed that results in a high level of accuracy. Solar Panel 3D Computer Renderings Using two dimensional aerial imagery is not adequate, as skewed …
Don’t Buy a Two-Speed Pool Pump
I keep asking myself, “am I missing something?” Why are pool builders still building new pools with two-speed pumps? If you are buying a new pool, I can’t say it any other way: Don’t Buy a Two-Speed Pump! The basic idea behind two-speed pumps is good. You can run the pump at a lower speed, saving electricity. Unfortunately, there are …
How We Stack Up Against Competition’s Years in Business
Solar Pool Heating Competition Let’s come right out and say it. Our business was officially started in 2014. That makes us a young company by most definitions. Our competition would like you to think that we are inexperienced and don’t have the credentials to install your solar pool heater. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. So how do we stack …
Solar Heated Water From Pool Jets Is Not Hot
Occasionally we get a call from a client that says the solar heated water coming out of their pool jets does not feel very hot. Our response is pretty simple: “Good!” It’s not that we are being dismissive. If you feel a large temperature difference in the heated water coming from the solar panels, that usually means the flow rate …
Real Stories of Solar Panel Service Calls: Episode 1
We service all brands of solar pool heating panel. The stories range from sad to funny and everything in between. While most service calls are routine issues resolved, some are not so simple. And others are incredibly simple. We’ve decided to share some of our stories as we come across them, and this is Episode 1. We’re calling this one …
Naples Home in Raffia Preserve Gets Solar Heated Pool
So many new neighborhoods are popping up as new home construction starts increase in Southwest Florida. One of the top new neighborhoods in Naples is Raffia Preserve, just off Collier Blvd. This community built by Pulte Homes is home to many pool homes. Many of those homeowners are opting for solar pool heating. Not surprisingly, we have been very busy installing …
Solar Panel Rubber Couplers Leak (myth)
One of our friendly competitors has been using yet another scare tactic regarding the iSwim solar pool heating system. This time they are saying that between solar panels rubber couplers leak. These are the couplers that join together individual solar panels. Note: the technically correct term is rubber couplings, but many people use couplers and couplings interchangeably. Alternative to Rubber …
Cape Coral’s Largest Solar Pool Heating System
Florida Solar Design Group has completed Cape Coral’s largest single-family residential solar pool heating system. This 768 square foot solar pool heater has sixteen solar panels, each 4 feet by 12 feet. Aerial Video of Cape Coral’s Largest Solar Pool Heating System Solar Pool Heaters Dominate Cape Coral Pool Heating Scene Installed in the Southwest Cape on a new home …
Windy Weather Cools Swimming Pools
This is the time of year that we start getting lots of calls about cold pools. That’s no surprise since windy weather cools swimming pools! Wind blowing across the surface of a pool is like blowing on a hot bowl of soup. Even though we are experiencing daytime high temperatures in the mid-80’s in Southwest Florida, wind sucks heat out …
iSwim Header Clamps
Here we go again. One of our competitors ran out of tactics. They came up with a new ridiculous idea that they have been telling our prospective clients. They are now telling people that the iSwim Header Clamps don’t last and they break easily. It’s a classic scare tactic, and it is totally false. Let’s make something clear. We have never – …
Solar Pool Heater Southwest Florida
This solar pool heater was installed in Southwest Florida by Florida Solar Design Group. Showing sweeping, soaring views, this video captures the installation workmanship and concept behind a solar pool heating system.
Why are Solar Pool Heaters Sized Based on Surface Area
We have written before on how to size a solar pool heating system. We even have a solar pool heating sizing calculator. However, we still get lots of questions asking why are solar pool heaters sized based on surface area rather than the volume of water. Size is Related to Surface Area Most people think that the pool volume is the …
iSwim vs FAFCO
When comparing iSwim vs FAFCO solar pool heating panels, it all comes down to longevity and flow rate. Both solar panels are made from similar materials and are made in the USA (iSwim is made in Florida, FAFCO in California). They each come from established manufacturers. So, what factors should you consider to compare the two brands? iSwim vs FAFCO: Comparing Solar Pool …