Hot Sun Solar Pool Heater Buying (or Quoting) Guide

Here we will help you create a parts list with prices. First you need to know how big you want the solar collector to be. Then we'll help you decide how it gets configured for your situation and you'll be directed to case A. for conventionally mounted systems where the water flows up the roof and the collector is strapped down or case B where the collector runs sideways to the roof. Under each link is a full explanation of the parts with prices. You can fill your shopping cart as you work through this guide to keep a running tally.

1.SIZING

There is a sizing calculation you can do under "sizing" on our informational web pages at www.h2otsun.com

Of course your available space is also a major factor so please measure the space you have in mind.

2.CHOOSE COLLECTOR TYPE

Next choose the type of solar collector best for your situation. The link to choose explains the different collector types and makes sure Powerstrip makes sense for you. If not we have the best alternate collector types available too.


3.COLLECTOR CONFIGURATION (flow goes either sideways or up the roof)

The parts list will depend on the type of roof or mounting surface and how we decide to mount the collectors. Powerstrips are flexible.

CASE A- CONVENTIONALLY MOUNTED COLLECTORS

solar pool heater 1 solar pool heater 2 solar pool heater 3

If we're dealing with a regular shingle roof then go here Regular shingle roofs are also known as composite shingle, fiberglass shingle, duroid. Normally shingle roof systems will be conventionally mounted with headers across the top and bottom and fin-tubing spanning between. Collectors float freely under straps that hold them down. Flow goes up the collector from the bottom header to the top. That is what we call collector case A. These links to case A will take you to a page that allows you to specify/price your entire system.

CASE B - SIDEWAYS COLLECTOR MOUNTING

It is possible to glue Powerstrips down sideways to a shingle roof. Shingles have very little structural strength so we must be careful. No steep roofs and no snow loads. In this case there are no straps over the collector. It is glued down with a construction mastic. This is collector case B

solar pool heater single roof sideways solar pool heat sideways solar glued to tile roof

Note that when we secure the headers at both ends of the fin-tubing we aren't allowing the fin tubing to contract or shrink. This generates strong forces and the longer the fin-tubing the greater that stress. The stress on any point glued to the roof is zero because the pull is the same to the left as the right. Its very important to secure the headers at both ends because if they allow the fin-tubing to contract, the stress on the first glue point is not balanced. If that lets go then the next one has twice the stress and so on.

Loops of strap every second header are used to secure the headers at both ends preventing the headers moving as the contracting fin-tubing pulls.


This is the stainless steel hardware used to strap down collectors and secure headers.:

Strap bracket
Strap clamp
Polypropylene coated strap
  


METAL ROOFS

If you have a metal roof and its not too steep and there is no snow load you may want to glue the system sideways. This situation is identical to a shingle roof sideways installation and collector case B applies. Normally on metal roofs the installation will be conventional with the water flowing up the roof and the collectors strapped down. This is collector case A.

WOOD SHAKE ROOFS

solar on shake roof Shake roofs are always case A (strap down, not glued down). The only difference is you put the screws through the roof via a piece of aluminum flashing. The screw is easily sealed to the flashing and the flashing slips between shakes. You can not use a sealant on a wood shake roof. There is no sealant that will hold. Shakes get wet and seals break. Shakes have no strength. Screws must hit the wood strapping under the shakes.

TILE ROOFS

Tile roofs are usually handled by gluing Powerstrip sideways so case B applies. Often the tiles are wavy and the Powerstrip can follow the waves. If the fin-tubing contracts it just lifts up between crests a little. No stress is created. This means we don't have to aggressively bolt the headers at both ends. They can be gently held down with no roof penetration hardware. More details as you go through case B.

FLAT ROOFS including pitched tar and gravel

Tar and gravel roofs are an unique situation. We never make a roof penetration on a tar and gravel roof. We can mount the collectors almost identically to the way we do shingle roofs (case A) The difference is you rivet the strap brackets to large metal plates that can be tarred down.

If the roof surface is strong enough we can glue it down every 2 feet without having to secure the headers. If we can secure the headers at both ends then we can glue it down. The stress from 2 feet of fin tubing contracting is minimal. case B applies Case A applies if we are just strapping down the system with tarred or glued down plates or weights and allowing it to freely float. Consult with Hot Sun if you're not sure. We spend a lot of time with each customer helping make sure the plan is solid.

GROUND MOUNTING

Rack Mounts can be done either way. Talk to us.

solar directly on ground Powerstrips can go right on the ground. This is covered in case B . The Powerstrips can be arranged to be their own weed cloth with no spaces between adjacent sections.

Many of the above situations require some discussion with Hot Sun's expert staff at 858 627 9007. Our commitment to you is to see you through this project with full support. Please take advantage of this offer. We've tried almost anything you might come up with. The system is so versatile and so flexible that it really does allow for creativity but don't re-invent the wheel. Let's discuss your unique situation and fine tune your design.

4. PLEASE CONTACT US

Next go to CASE A or CASE B depending on how you want to configure the system for an online quote and design.

Feel free to phone 858 627 9007. If you like, you can go ahead and order online. We won't process your credit card until we've confirmed everything at least by e-mail. If you prefer to just give us the information and let us give you an estimate you can fill in the basic form at this link.

Back to Informational Home Page www.h2otsun.com

Please feel free to call us at 858 627 9007 or e-mail ken@h2otsun.com to discuss your unique situation. Clicking case A or case B above helps you to specify and price the whole system and it makes all your inputs known to us so we can talk about it.