1st Time Post

Its my third year burning a 400HE HOSS heating my 2800 sf house and water heater. In north Alabama my heat demand is not as much as the northern folks but Ive been burning November thru mid March. The HOSS does a great job. So Im wondering what you all think about heating a 18X36 ft pool. The deep end is 8 foot. Im set up for it but I think the heat loss would be to much to contend with. Im thinking about heating for March only just to experiment.
Just wondering what others experience with pool heating.

 

Welcome to FHC!!!.. I think heating your pool with the HOSS is a fantastic idea.. Doesn't mean that you have to keep it warm on the coldest days of the winter, but you can certainly extend your swimming season by a few months each year and ensure that the pool is comfortable when you use it.... If you cut your own wood, the extra expense of fuel and labor would be well worth it.. So, get to work on your experiment and let us know when we are invited over for our 15 minutes of pool time!!

 

Sorry, I can't offer any advice on the pool project.

Welcome to FHC!

 

Well I might give it a try. Come on down. Ill fire up the smoker too. Ill be the guy that sounds like Scotty. "Im feeding her as fast as I can Captain but Im afraid she going to blow!!!!"

 

I know nothing of OWB's or heating pools, but it sounds like an epic kegger waiting to happen.

Welcome to FHC

 

Wife thought I was crazy when I got the HOSS. I sold her on the idea by telling her the pool could be heated. I havent delivered yet. Waiting for that ROUND TUIT to show up.
Beer is in the formula I just sit by the pool and grill. Beer and Grillin just goest together.

 

Best I can come up with lol!

 

My father in law heats his pool with propane so I'd bet you'll have no problem doing it with the Hoss. I'm just speculating, but it may take a bit to get it to your desired temp but hopefully you'll be able to maintain at a lesser burn rate than it took to get it there???

 

Welcome. A pool solar blanket would help reduce heat loss when the pool is not in use. It makes for good top covering material for stacks too.

 

Welcome aboard Log Dog...I'm a newbie here too and they ain't run me off yet and they seem to enjoy thinking 'outta the box' so you and your pool/OWB idea will fit nicely into the scheme of things.

Any heat source should work heating water, you just may have to be a bit creative in cost effective piping and/or controls. As you progress you may find the need to consider a three way diverting valve that is controlled by monitoring the pool return water temperature. The diverting valve would be responsible for 'diverting' the unneeded hot water back into the furnace reservoir (via the necessary heat exchanger ) once the desired pool temp is attained causing the boiler controls to start lowering HWS temp. Or possibly a cold water injection solonoid controlled by a sensor in the hot water supply line prior to entering the pool could be considered(least desireable). Or simply a three way mixing valve tempering the hot water supply into the pool with the cooler pool return water. Lots of possibilities here, but the main thing (without having to be said) is to design it with safety in mind. You have the option also of 'two position' valves or 'modulating valves'. Modulating valves will deliver more even water temps consistently than two position valves. Gonna spend a few $$$$$ tho.

Official disclaimer: These are merely basic suggestions I'd only begin to consider if I was working in my own back yard. Probably not the simplest or the best way to accomplish your goal at all, but a thing or two just tossed into the pot for an idea to start with. Basically you don't want too hot of water entering the pool even though it will dissipate quickly and you don't want the total pool water temp too high or you may have a 20,000 gallon hot tub. What ever you do will require some tinkering and tweaking to get smooth operation and satisfactory pool temps.

Whatever you do once you get it figured out, you'll be very popular in your neighborhood !!! I can see the sign already: BYOB and BYOWood Time to party.

Now its time to reread the official disclaimer.... Please guys, don't beat up on me too badly.... I bruise easily in my old age. RE-re-read the official disclaimer.

 

Welcome to FHC Log Dog III

 

Log Dog III Welcome....

 

Thanks! We have a solar cover. May give it a try.