Solar Pool Heater Installation Manual Since 1969, our goal has been to design, test, and produce a … 9 PANEL INSTALLATION SEQUENCE When transporting panels to the roof or rack and … Keep this manual within easy reach and refer to it often. Congratulations, the FAFCO pool heating system you are installing is the largest selling solar pool heating system in the United States today. The solar collectors are built to commercial standards with large 2-inch, Schedule 40 headers and specially formulated polymer extrusions. All …

5 BEFORE YOU START Always read complete installation manual instructions before starting. If you have any installation problems or questions, consult your local FAFCO distributor. Remember to always conform to your local building codes . WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR SYSTEM As wonderful and abundant as solar energy is, performance results are conditional. With systems being installed in every part of the world with widely varying weather and climatic conditions, temperature results may vary. With these considerations in mind, and assuming you’re having sunny weather with your system on, you can expect it to: 1. Heat the water 2 to 5 degrees F. every time it passes through the system. 2. Raise your pool’s temperature 5 to 15 degrees F. over a period of several days of good weather. 3. Eliminate or significantly reduce the cost of operating your fossil fuel pool heater, but not necessarily replace it, during the colder less sunny months (a pool cover will enhance #2 & 3 above) . 4. Give you years of trouble free service. SYSTEM PERFORMANCE The performance of the system is directly proportional to the number of panels installed. More panels than the minimum required will increase the ability of the system to heat a swimming pool under marginal weather or orientation conditions. Remember, minimum coverage equals minimum benefits. Always consider increases of panel area on a percentage basis. For example: 10-panel system plus one panel equals a 9% increase. SITE SELECTION The ideal location for the solar panels is a SOUTH-FACING PITCHED ROOF, near the pool, with enough space for mounting the required number of panels. However, an installation on a west-facing roof is acceptable for summer heating, if the panel area is increased. Northern exposures are not acceptable and eastern exposures tend to be about 50% effective and, therefore, marginally economical. Fortunately, the modular nature of the solar panel makes it easy to tailor the system to a specific site. Be certain that trees or other structures do not shade the location you select. Remember, the effectiveness of a solar system is directly dependent upon the amount of direct sunlight that the panels receive. The FAFCO solar panels require a mounting space 50 7/8″ wide for each panel. When computing the actual installed dimensions of the entire system, allow an extra 12″ around the perimeter of the bank to accommodate mounting apparatus, plumbing fittings, and system accessories . OPTIMUM ORIENTATION The panels should be facing true south, for the Northern Hemisphere, with the inclination as follows: 1. For year-round heating: equal to latitude of installation. 2. For summer heating: equal to latitude minus 10° to 15° 3. For winter heating: equal to latitude plus 10° to 15°. The inclination must always exceed 10° to ensure proper drainage. PANEL REQUIREMENTS A minimum of one-half to three-quarters of the pool’s surface area in solar panels is the recommended “rule of thumb” for sizing a swimming pool solar heating system. (Example: 800 sq. ft. pool needs 400 to 600 sq. ft. of panel area. )

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