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June's 2005 Articles
Swimming Pool Heating Options Designed
to Save $$$
To some, a swimming pool is a luxury that they can’t
live without. Unfortunately, we’ve seen quite a swing in
summer temperatures that leave many wondering why they went to
the expense, when they can’t swim because the water is too
cold.
From electric resistance models to units that run off your furnace,
there are many types of pool heating options out there. The following
two alternatives are classified under the “path least traveled,”
but they are making huge jumps in both affordability and efficiency.
Pool Heating Basics
Why do pools cost so much to heat? Pools lose energy in a variety
of ways, but evaporation is by far the largest source of energy
loss for swimming pools. When compared to evaporation, all other
losses are small.
The reason evaporation has such an impact is that evaporating
water requires tremendous amounts of energy. For every gallon
of water that evaporates out of a pool, it takes with it over
8500 Btus, and a typical pool loses 1 to 1-1⁄2 inches of
water a week. For a 1000 square foot pool, an inch of water equals
625 gallons. Because of all the energy required to evaporate a
gallon of water, evaporation turns out to be 70% of the heat loss
from a pool.
Minimize the Heat Loss
The first step in selecting a pool heating system is to minimize
the heat loss from the pool, which as mentioned above is primarily
evaporation.
How do you stop evaporation?... Use a pool cover. Pool covers
are the most effective way to reduce pool heating costs. By covering
the pool when it is not in use, you can greatly reduce your pool
heating costs.
What Temperature?
The decision on how warm to keep the pool is up to the individual
owner. The temperature recommended by the American Red Cross for
competitive swimming is 78ºF. This comfort level also coincides
with good fuel savings.
The typical range for pools is 78º - 82ºF. Keep in mind, however,
that the energy consumption for each degree rise in temperature
will cost from 10-30% more in energy costs depending on your location.
Heat Pump Pool Heaters
Today an emerging method of heating pools is the heat pump pool
heater. A heat pump’s efficiency is dependent on the outside
temperature and since pools are usually used during warm and mild
weather, heat pumps are a very efficient method of heating pools.
Heat pumps do not generate heat, they simply capture it and move
it from one place to another.
How efficient is a heat pump? That’s not an easy question
to answer. Heat pumps don’t have a simple efficiency number
to work with. Their efficiency is measured by Coefficient of Performance
(COP).
Just like other heating options, heat pumps can have low efficiencies
or high efficiencies. Their COP can range from 3.0-7.0. The higher
the number the more efficient the heat pump. What this means is
that for every unit of electricity that you put in to run the
compressor, you get 3-7 units of heat out of the heat pump. These
COPs are usually determined by testing the unit with an outdoor
temperature of 80ºF and a pool temperature of 80ºF. You should
be aware there is no standard test for this. The higher efficiency
units usually use scroll compressors versus the reciprocal compressors
of the standard units.
What Size?
Pool heaters are mainly sized according to the surface area of
the pool and the difference between the pool and average air temperatures.
The heating load is also affected by other factors such as wind
exposure, humidity levels and cool night temperatures. Pools located
in areas with higher average wind speeds at the pool surface,
lower humidity, and cool nights will require a larger heater.
You should consult with a trained professional on determining
the size you need.
Other Factors
Efficiency is one consideration, but you should also consider
the reputation of the manufacturer and/or dealer who will install
your heater. Get some references of satisfied customers and call
the Better Business Bureau if you don’t have anything to
go on. Also be sure to ask for and read all warranties before
making your decision
Other Tips
The following are additional tips to help you reduce your pool
heating costs.
1. Keep a thermometer in your pool. It will help you determine
the temperature that is perfect for you.
2. Keep your pool thermostat at the lowest setting that still
maintains a comfortable swimming environment.
3. Lower your thermostat setting to 70ºF when the pool is to be
unused for three or four days. For longer periods, shut the pool
heater off.
4. Protect your pool from wind. Use a fence or hedge. A 7 mph
wind at the surface of the pool can triple a pool’s heat
loss.
5. Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use. This can reduce
your pool’s energy consumption by 50-75%.
6. Get your pool heater tuned up annually. A properly tuned pool
heater will operate more efficiently.
Solar Pool Heaters
In most climates, you can get an extra two to three months use
of the pool by installing a solar system to heat the water. The
most common type of solar system uses flat solar collectors that
lay flat against the roof of your house or garage. These systems
can also be mounted on racks or just laid on the ground near the
pool. They attach to the existing pool filter system pump so most
are easy to install yourself.
Some rigid plastic collectors are available, but today most of
the solar collectors are made from flexible tubing or sheets.
This allows it to fit irregular surfaces such as the ground, a
trellis or roof. Although it looks like simple tubing, it is specially
designed for efficiency. Some include hook-and-loop straps so
they can be rolled up and stored over winter.
Do-it-yourself installation kits usually include the collectors,
check valves, solar valves, and return line tee so they are easy
to attach to the pool filter system. Automatic controllers are
available to allow you to set any water temperature. When the
sun is hot enough, the system automatically starts.
Hundreds of thousands of swimming pools across America are heated
with the now-popular plastic pool solar collectors. Pool solar
collectors are the most cost-effective common use of solar energy.
You may have seen these black plastic collectors installed on
south-facing roofs near swimming pools.
The collector area depends on what direction the collectors face,
the amount of sun and wind at your site, how long you operate
your pool, and the surface area of your pool. In sunny climates
where the collectors face due south, and where there is little
wind, the collector area should be about half of the pool’s
surface area. But if you want to operate your pool from early
spring to late fall, you should buy up to one square foot of collector
for each square foot of pool area.
The pool water is routed through the solar collectors when a control
senses enough heat in the solar collectors. Your existing pool
pump can circulate water through the solar collectors if it is
big enough. Keep pumping costs low by using long-radius elbows
for all piping bends, especially near the pump. When you install
the solar collectors, you may want to replace your existing filter
with the largest one that fits in your system. Larger filters
save pumping costs, which can be substantial.
Sources:
1. U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy, Energy Savers
2. John Krigger is a nationally recognized author of numerous
energy efficiency books, including Surviving the Seasons, and
Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Buildings.
For more info, visit his website www.srmi.biz.
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Meet Your
Employees: Tony Pecoraro - Supervisor, Electrical Services
By Jaci Teune
Marketing Manager
This month we’re going to highlight the newest
member of the Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative family, Tony Pecoraro.
As the new Supervisor of Electrical Services, Tony started his
job with SREC Resources just over a month ago. He comes to the
Co-op from his previous position with Mountain Creek.
SREC Resources is currently busy working on several large generator
projects. “Tony just jumped right in,” said Chris
Reese, Supervisor of Technical Services. “We were lucky
that he was already familiar a lot of our operations.”
“I enjoy all the new experiences working for SREC Resources,”
said Tony. “I want to get acclimated to my new job and then
look for new projects that can compliment our areas of expertise.”
Originally from Lodi, Tony and his wife, Lori, live in Vernon.
They have two adult children, Justin and Heather. When he’s
not helping his children with their new houses, he’s playing
with his grandson.
Please join us in welcoming Tony to SREC Resources.
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Adding to the history of the community
By Gail Hensal
Marketing Assistant
I’m sure you have seen many articles regarding
the “Totem Pole” in Wantage and it’s demise
and resurrection. Here is a quick re-cap to help refresh the story
and the ending or beginning, however you want to look at it.
 The
Titsworth Fort on Route 23 in Wantage was the original landmark
for the famous “Totem Pole.” The Fort was a rubble
stone house owned by William Titsworth, which doubled as protection
from the Native Americans until 1781. By 1928, Peter Hendricks
started using the Fort as a residence and antique/artifact shop.
To help attract customers on their way to the High Point Monument,
which was just being constructed at that time, Hendricks erected
the now famous “Totem Pole.”
Have it be faith or not, on Friday, the 13th of December 2002,
a car that was stolen hit the totem pole. Three people who were
riding in the car did not survive the crash. This is where the
story of cooperation begins between a local school in Wantage,
two exceptional teachers, and the community that surrounds it.
How does Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative become a part of this
project, you ask? As part of their Professional Improvement Plan
(PIP), Mr. Robert Coates and Mr. Allen Terwilliger of the Wantage
School decided to have their classroom re-make the totem pole.
Going beyond the “chalk board” and “books,”
they contacted Chris Reese, Supervisor of Technical Services at
Sussex Rural to see if a used utility pole could be made available.
It so happens the “original pole was a utility pole as well,”
according to Terwilliger. Our crew located a pole for the school
and the project began.
The new totem pole’s journey begins with it being delivered
by our linemen to the back courtyard at the  Wantage
School. The construction began in May of 2004 with 25 children
from the 5th and 6th grades in Mr. Terwilliger and Coates’
class. By November, the totem pole was completed and installed
in the front of the Wantage Municipal building on April 28th.
Using ALL donated materials and equipment, the school did not
have to bear any financial burden for a lesson plan in Wantage
history, just the man and kid power!
The totem pole has over 16 applications of cement with a wire
mesh underlayment supporting the four faces of a Native American
 Chief,
Native American Woman, Blue Heron and a Tree Frog. Inside the
Chief’s head is a small film container used as a time capsule.
It holds a 2004-penny and copies of articles about the history
of the totem pole.
Sussex Rural Electric is part of that time capsule. Linemen like
Steve Quinn, Jeff Rowan, Mike Thomas, Ray Johnson, Supervisor
John Buchell and many more of our staff, helped make this project
a reality. On a personal note . . . while taking pictures of the
totem pole being set, I watched the shovels they used to replace
the dirt to form a foundation.
It reminds me of how strong the “Sussex Rural” community
is and how the “foundation” we form leaves a lasting
impression.
A special note: The dedication ceremony will take place after
this article is printed. A photo will be in the next issue.
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News & Events
SUSSEX / WANTAGE -
• Tricky Tray - Beemerville Fire Department Ladies Auxillary
Friday, June 3, 2005. Located on Route 519 across from Space Farms.
Doors open 6:30 P.M., Drawing begins 8:00 P.M., No admission charge,
free refreshments, specials, 50-50. No one under 18 admitted.
• Sussex Kiwanis - Sussex Kiwanis meets the 2nd
and 4th Wednesday of each month at the Bella Vita Restaurant located
on Route 23 & Libertyville Rd., Wantage.
• Firemen’s Bingo - Bingo will be played
every Sunday evening at the Beemerville Fire Hall. Doors open
at 5 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:15. Refreshments available. For more
information please call 875-2972.
• Ladies Auxiliary of the Sussex Fire Department-This
group was formed many years ago for the sole purpose of actively
supporting the Sussex Fire Department. The Sussex Fire Department
is a volunteer, self-funded, non-profit organization. We support
the organization by our very active fundraising campaign (to provide
the emergency service volunteers with costly safety equipment
that they would not be able to purchase otherwise) and by providing
refreshment at rescue scenes and Bingo. Contact Michelle Clark
at phone: 973-875-6848 / fax: 973-948-0292
HIGH POINT STATE PARK PROGRAMS
• Stream Walk - Sunday, June 12 @ 1:30 p.m. Adults/Children
ages 8 & up Take a walk along a short stretch of the Flatbrook
and explore what lives in and along the stream. Wear closed shoes
that can get wet (old sneakers or boots, not sandals) and come
prepared to do some sloshing. We won’t be walking far, but
the ground and streambed will be uneven and slippery, and the
water may be cold. Please call 973-875-1471 to register for this
program.
• Bird Talk Isn’t Cheep - Saturday, June
18 @ 7:30 p.m. Adults/Children ages 8 & up. Ever wonder what
all those chirps, whistles, and squawks coming from the treetops
mean? Come learn about bird songs, from the bizarre to the banal
and discover what all the bird talk is about. Meet in the Interpretive
Center.
• Solstice Sunset Hike - Saturday, June 25 @ 7:00
p.m. Adults/Children ages 10 & up. The mildly strenuous rock
scramble up High Point’s half-mile Blue Dot Trail is short
but sweet and affords a beautiful viewpoint from which to enjoy
the setting sun on one of the longest days of the year. Meet at
the SawmillLake Boat Launch.
VERNON
• Tricky Tray - Pochuck Valley Fire Department
Ladies Auxillary. Friday, June 10, 2005. doors open 6:30 P.M.,
drawing 8:00 P.M. Pochuck Valley Fire Department, Lake Wallkill
Road, Vernon. Admission 50 cents, free refreshments. No one under
18 admitted.
• Bingo Mondays @ 6:00pm. Games begin at 7:15pm
Vernon VFW, Route 94, Vernon call 973-764-9380
• Vernon Kiwanis meets at 7:30am on the second,
third and fourth Tuesdays of every month at Vernon High School.
Call 973-827-1188.
COUNTY WIDE
• The NAIW-SC holds its monthly meetings at the
Spring House, Spring Street, Newton on the fourth Monday of the
month. The cost is $22. Please contact Donna Wiik at 973-764-8481
for reservations.
• Habitat for Humanity - Looking for volunteers
of time, talent or materials. Call John or Terry at 973-383-8882.
• Veterans’ Transportation - Free door-to-door
bus service is provided to Lyons and East Orange VA Medical Facilities
for Sussex County veterans. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 973-579-0480.
• The Center for Families with Special Needs, Inc.
- Is a support group with a mission to provide parents with connections
to already existing services that would benefit special needs
children and their families. For more info, call 973-827-4419
• Pass it Along - Sussex County is in desperate
need of canned goods and non-perishable food for the local food
pantries. Pass it Along is asking groups of all ages to hold a
food drive. Whether you are in a youth group, Boy Scout troop,
church, or place of business, please consider collecting food
for Sussex County’s families in need. Call 973-726-9777
or Email: volunteer@passitalong.org
• Daytimers Retirees’ Group - Make some new
friends by joining this very interactive retirees’ group
where they exchange ideas and share experiences, hobbies and plans
for the future. Free. To register, call 800-336-5273 or visit
www.saintclares.org and register online.
• Meals on Wheels - Is seeking volunteers to deliver
a mid-day meal to homebound seniors in Sussex County. It would
just take an hour of your time one day a week. Call 973-383-3123.
POSTING OF ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you would like to list your clubs and/or organization event,
you can call, stop by or even e-mail us with the information.
Currents is published monthly; all submissions must be to SREC
by the 10th of the month prior to the event.
E-mail to: info@sussexrec.com.
We reserve the right to edit any requests.
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