Designing Your System
STEP 1 - CHOOSING THE
RIGHT SIZE OF SYSTEM FOR YOUR POOL
The table below indicates the
recommended size of system for various outdoor pools in order to produce
swimming temperatures in the 80's Fahrenheit (High 20's Centigrade) during the
summer months in the UK or during both early & late season in warmer
climates.
Mat
sizes are based on using a floating 'bubble' cover and are approx. 50% of the
pool surface area but if your pool is partially shaded or on an exposed site
you should choose the next size up.
For
indoor pools we would recommend increasing the mat size to nearer 100% of the
pool surface area. In warmer climates it is possible to get good results
without a cover if the mat is 80% or more of the pool surface area.
Thermal
Performance Figures for Solarmatt.
During the summer months in good conditions a Solarmatt system will produce an average
output of around 3.4 kWh/sq.m per day. (1080 BTU/sq.ft per day)
|
POOL |
SOLARMATT |
|||||
|
Feet |
Metres |
Gallons |
Litres |
Sq. ft |
Sq. m |
Kit Code |
|
20 x 12 15ft dia. |
5 x 3 5m dia. |
5000 |
22500 |
90 |
8 |
A Kit |
|
24 x 12 18ft dia. |
6 x 4 6m dia. |
7500 |
36000 |
135 |
12 |
A+ Kit |
|
28 x 14 24ft dia. |
8 x 4 7m dia. |
10000 |
48000 |
180 |
16 |
B Kit |
|
30 x 15 |
8 x 5 |
12500 |
60000 |
225 |
20 |
B+ Kit |
|
32 x 16 |
10 x 5 |
15000 |
75000 |
270 |
24 |
C Kit |
|
38 x 16 |
12 x 5 |
20000 |
90000 |
315 |
28 |
C+ Kit |
Once you have
chosen a suitable system size you will then need to determine the maximum mat
length between manifolds this depends on your chosen site. On a level surface
you could consider laying a free form collector but on a sloping site you will
probably need extra manifolds to fit at both ends of each mat.
NB. Mat Width = Mat
Area
Mat Length
Larger
Kits for pool sizes up to 100ft x 50ft
(30m x 15m) are available.
STEP 2 - CHOOSING THE
BEST SITE FOR YOUR SOLARMATT
You will need to find an area or combination of
areas which will accommodate your required mat size and which gets direct sun
for most of the day. You will find it is both quicker to assemble and less expensive to
install the longest mat your site can accommodate (up to 60ft /18m) as this
requires the minimum number of manifolds.
Solarmatt
is easiest to install and looks and operates best on level or slightly sloping surfaces (up to 30°). No fixing down is required and the mat is exposed to the sun for
the maximum time each day.
Suitable
sites:- existing paving, paths, garage/shed and conservatory roofs.
If
you need to create a suitable area then here are some ideas from previous
customers:-
Building a raised sundeck for an above-ground pool.
Erecting a flat roofed car port or covered walk way or pergola.
Covering an existing corrugated roof with strong wire mesh.
CAUTION: Solarmatt is a low-pressure system and mats
should NOT be sited more than 4ft (1m) below the level of the pool surface.
STEP 3 - CONNECTION
REQUIREMENTS
The final step is to determine the parts required to
connect up your Solarmatt. These are standard pool pipework and fittings
(metric or imperial) and are best obtained from your local pool supplier. The flexible connectors we supply with each
kit will fit directly onto both metric and imperial pipework.
DIRECTLY CONNECTED SYSTEMS
Layouts close to the pool are very simple systems to install and give
maximum efficiency in operation, there being generally good sun exposure and
negligible heat losses.
Direct connection is made to the outlet from the filter or to the infeed
point in the pool.
Typical additional cost for the connecting pipework is around £20 GBP
REMOTE SITED SYSTEMS
Systems can quite easily be placed out of sight in a remote situation, for
example upon a suitable roof; however some basic design rules should be
observed.
The chosen site should be level or slightly sloping ( less than 30' to
horizontal ) with the return manifolds higher than the in-feed manifolds and
all hoses rising steadily from one to the other to ensure all air is expelled
during operation.
Isolation/control valves should be fitted to permit normal pool operation
when the Solarmatt system is not required.
When mats are placed at more than 3ft (1m) above pool level both a Non-Return
Valve and a (V/R) vacuum release valve are also required.
Solarmatt can be
used on steeper slopes but the hoses
may need to be restrained by using battens or wire mesh. On very steep slopes
it may be better to arrange that all the hoses run up the slope with the manifolds along the bottom & top of the
slope.
NB.
|
The existing filter pump should be capable of supplying an adequate flow of water through the mat - a piece of backwash or vacuum hose temporarily connected into the pool inlet may be used to check this condition will apply. |
All connections into the pool filtration
circuit must be made after the filter unit to avoid pressurising the
Solarmatt system. . |
|
All Customers will receive complete
installation and operating instructions with their kits and are recommended
to follow these carefully for simplicity of installation and optimum
performance. |
Typical additional cost for the connecting pipework and control
valves etc. is between £100 &
£200 GBP depending on the location of the mat. |
|
|
|
STEP 4 - ORDERING YOUR
CHOSEN KIT
Kits are ordered by simply
specifying your chosen system size code and your desired mat length between
manifolds.
e.g. A (60), B (30), C (40) etc. + V/R valve if mat is higher than
pool (eg. on a roof).
NB. Any mat length up to 60ft (18m) is possible but
preferred lengths are:-
60ft, 40ft, 30ft, 20ft, 15ft. or 18m, 12m, 9m, 6m, 4.5m
NB. MAT WIDTH
= MAT AREA
MAT LENGTH
STEP 5
- SYSTEM INSTALLATION
All Kits come complete with full Installation & Operating Instructions plus a copy of our Installation VCD.
Take a look at some sample frames from our VCD:- Installation Procedure
STEP 6 - SYSTEM OPERATION
Our 25 years of experience have shown that during the summer months running the system every day gives very acceptable results whatever the weather.
All you need is a timer on the pump/filter unit set to run from say 9.00am to 6.00pm.
If you have an
existing heater and wish to swim in very early or late season then you might
consider installing automatic controls. However, considering the cost of these
controls and the variable nature of the solar gains out of season it is
probably simpler and more economic to use your conventional heater outside the
summer period and switch completely over to using the Solarmatt system during
the summer months.
For more details please explore
our web site: