heating and insulation

[annie]

I have been running a 12 foot splasher pool for about 10 years and I am about to purchase an 18 foot round Regatta to replace it. I would like to buy a heater and my enquiries to date suggest a 6kW electric heater would do the job. Can anybody give me a realistic running cost of this. I will be using a solar cover when the pool is not in use.

Also I have read that it is possible to reduce losses by installing polystyrene sheeting between the frame and the liner and below the liner. Has anybody tried this? Where do you get the sheeting and how much does it save?

[maddie]

Hi Annie

You could put a thin sheet of polystyrene between your liner and outer wall and a thicker layer beneath the liner, ensure that all joins are taped well to prevent the liner dropping into the joins when the pool is filled. This can be purchased from a good builders merchant. This will provide good insulation and help reduce heating costs.

A 6Kw heater is not really big enough for an 18" Regatta, you would be better going for a 9Kw or preferably 12 Kw (supply permitting). There are many factors that need to be taken into account when estimating running costs, i.e. position of the pool, amount of use, use of covers, ambient temperatures etc. However as a guide 1kw of electricity will cost an average of 7 pence per hour to run, so a 9Kw heater will cost 63p per hour. This amount will be reduced by2/3rds if using economy seven, effectively getting 3 hours for the price of 1.

Hope this helps.

Maddie

[annie]

Sadly my supply will not run to any more kW : :( : so we will have to hope the insulation does the job. Ordering pool today :D