Thermal Performance Ratings (Pool Collectors) 1

Transcription

1 FSEC Publication GP-16 May 1994 Thermal Performance s (Pool Collectors) 1 Public Information Office 2 Thermal Performance s, derived from the FSEC testing and certification program, are a useful tool in comparing the efficiency and economics of solar collectors used for pool heating. Table 1, that follows, list such ratings alphabetically by manufacturer. Since these systems normally operate in the low temperature range (75 F 95 F), this is the rating provided for comparisons. It must be stressed that these comparisons are only a guide and should not be considered as a rank ordering of collectors. Such considerations as component sizing and proper installation procedures are equally important in determining a system s overall efficiency. In addition, because of the variability of weather conditions, instrumentation accuracies, and other test condition constraints, the thermal performance of any two collectors should be considered approximately the same if their ratings are within 25 Btu/(ft 2 day) of each other. Bear in mind also that these comparisons are concerned with thermal efficiency and energy output per investment dollar only; they do not imply equivalent reliability or durability. APPROXIMATE COMPARISON METHODS To compare the thermal efficiency among various collectors, look at the rating listed in the last column, Btu/(ft 2 day); the higher the number, the greater the solar energy collection efficiency: that means it will require fewer square feet of collector area to heat the pool. To determine a collector s energy output per investment dollar, use the rating listed in the next-tolast column: Btu/day. Divide this figure by the total installed cost of the system. Multiply the result by the number of collector panels or piping modules to be used. 1. This document is FSEC Publication GP-16, provided for the Energy Resource CD-ROM by the Florida Energy Extension Service, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: May Florida Solar Energy Center, State University System of Florida, 300 State Road 401, Cape Canaveral, Florida The Florida Energy Extension Service receives funding from the Florida Energy Office, Department of Community Affairs and is operated by the University of Florida s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences through the Cooperative Extension Service. The information contained herein is the product of the Florida Energy Extension Service and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Florida Energy Office.

2 Thermal Performance s (Pool Collectors) Page 2 Ameropean Sola-Tile None , Ameropean Solena Solar Tile None , Applied Solar Products * Solar Therm C-9 0 None PVC None , Note 1 Aquasolar Inc. M-56 ABS None , Note ( ) None , ( ) None , ( ) None , ( ) None , Bio-Energy Systems, Inc. Solaroll Plus 0 None Thermo elastomer None ,

3 Thermal Performance s (Pool Collectors) Page 3 Bio-Energy Systems, Inc. Sun Mat None , Cole Solar Systems, Inc. 410S 0 None Copper tubes and aluminum fins Nonselective , Enersol Products Inc. S-1200 None , FAFCO, Inc. 908 None , FAFCO, Inc. 910 None , FAFCO, Inc. 912 None , H.H.E. Incorporated PVC 4 10 None , Harter HI-TEMP 0 None Thermo elastomer None , U.S.A. Inc- Magen Plastic * -30 None ,

4 Thermal Performance s (Pool Collectors) Page 4 U.S.A. Inc-Magen Plastic * -38 None , U.S.A. Inc-Magen Plastic * -40 None , U.S.A. Inc-Magen Plastic * -50 None , Life Style Mfg., Inc None Concrete None , Mid-Florida Pool and Repairs, Inc. * Medallion 30 None , Mid-Florida Pool and Repairs, Inc. * Medallion 38 None , Mid-Florida Pool and Repairs, Inc. * Medallion 50 None , Power-Save Products, Inc. S.R.T. MK. 1 0 None Concrete Nonselective ,

5 Thermal Performance s (Pool Collectors) Page 5 Powermat Manufacturing Inc. Powermat 0 None PVC None , * BGI-32 1 Clear rigid UV Stabilized None , BGI-40 1 Clear rigid UV Stabilized None , FP-32 None , FP-40 None , FP-48 None , FS-32 None , FS-40 None , FW-32 1 FRP UV Stabilized None ,

6 Thermal Performance s (Pool Collectors) Page 6 FW-40 1 FRP UV Stabilized None , Solar Batt Int l. Pty. Ltd. SBI None UV Stablilized None , Solar Electric Systems SES-32 None , Solar Electric Systems SES-40 None , Solar Electric Systems SES-48 None , Solar Management Corp. Solar Master None ,900 1,043 Sun Energy Resources SER FRP PVC None , SunEarth, Inc. APC None Copper tubes and fins Nonselective ,