Pool heating system on island brings year-round enjoyment
The Bahamas is not generally thought of as a place in need of pool heating. However, the remote Bahamian island of Treasure Cay is actually situated north of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Pool temperatures drop during the winter, thus shortening the swimming season. The Beach Villas Homeowners Association of Treasure Cay investigated pool-heating options some time ago. Energy on Treasure Cay is expensive - about 25 cents/kWh - making cost a major concern for the association as they evaluated their choices. An electric heat pump was rule out as it would place too great a burden on the electricity load of the remote island. Heating the pool with propane gas was deemed far too costly. After evaluating each of these heating methods on the basis of economics, energy efficiency, and comfort, the association concluded that solar would be the best method. They selected a solar pool heating system manufactured by FAFCO, Inc. and installed by SUNWORKS in Ft. Lauderdale. The system requires virtually no daily maintenance, and there have been no problems with the system since its installation. In addition to being trouble-free, the FAFCO solar pool heater has saved Treasure Cay a great deal of money. The equipment cost about $9,500; lumber, PVC, and labor brought the total cost to $13,000. By comparison, a propane-gas system would have cost $4,000 but would have generated a yearly gas bill of $12,000. Therefore, payback on the system began immediately upon installation.
- OSTI ID:
- 7247926
- Journal Information:
- Solar Industry Journal; (United States), Vol. 4:2; ISSN 1050-5660
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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