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It’s no secret within the solar industry that Heliocol is a leading revolutionary solar pool heating system. If you’ve been considering buying a solar heater for your swimming pool, it can be a confusing and complex process trying to figure out the differences between each system. The following Heliocol reviews and competition comparisons will help you see what all the buzz about Heliocol is about and help you determine if it’s the right fit for your home.
Heating
You can effectively determine the efficiency of any solar pool heating system based on the solar collector’s thermal performance rating. The thermal performance rating is measured by Btu’s (British thermal unit) per square foot per day. In layman’s terms, the higher the Btu number, the greater the solar energy collection efficiency. However, the value of your system should always be judged by the total provided heat, not by the heat per square foot. For example, a high-efficiency system that’s undersized will produce less energy than a lower-efficiency system with more square feet of collectors. To calculate the total production of the system, multiply the total square footage of the system times the efficiency per square foot.
Heliocol
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608,970 Btu’s per day
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76,121 Btu’s per panel per day
Techno-Solis
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585,044 Btu’s per day
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73,131 Btu’s per panel per day
Fafco
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584,637 Btu’s per day
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73,080 Btu’s per panel per day
Aquatherm
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553,344 Btu’s per day
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69,168 Btu’s per panel per day
Hi-Tec
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483,437 Btu’s per day
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60,430 Btu’s per panel per day
*Comparisons based on an 8-panel system
Warranty
Heliocol
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Covers labor, parts, panels (against manufacturers defects), and protects against freezing for 12 years
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Limited lifetime warranty prorated at 50%
Techno-Solis
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Covers panels only for 10 years
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Limited lifetime warranty prorated at 50%
Fafco
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Covers panels and labor for 12 years
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Limited lifetime warranty prorated at 50%
Aquatherm
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Covers panels and labor for 10 years
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Limited lifetime warranty prorated at 50%
Solar Hydronics/Hi-Tec
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Covers panels and labor for 12 years
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Limited lifetime warranty prorated at 50%
Suntrek
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Covers panels only for 15 years
Panel Connectors
Heliocol
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Require no maintenance tightening of panel clamps. The system uses uv-protected polypropylene clamps with an internal o-ring. Once properly installed by an authorized dealer, these connections operate for the lifetime of the system without any maintenance.
Techno-Solis
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Connects panels using radiator-like hoses: deteriorate over time, often leaving streak stains on the roof.
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Uses metal clamps over the hoses: require regular tightening to prevent leakage.
Fafco
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Connects panels using radiator-like hoses: deteriorate over time, often leaving streak stains on the roof.
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Uses metal clamps over the hoses: require regular tightening to prevent leakage.
Aquatherm
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Connects panels using radiator-like hoses: deteriorate over time, often leaving streak stains on the roof.
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Uses metal clamps over the hoses: require regular tightening to prevent leakage.
Hi-Tec
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Connects panels using radiator-like hoses: deteriorate over time, often leaving streak stains on the roof.
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Uses metal clamps over the hoses: require regular tightening to prevent leakage.
Suntrek
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Connects panels using radiator-like hoses: deteriorate over time, often leaving streak stains on the roof.
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Uses metal clamps over the hoses: require regular tightening to prevent leakage.
Industry
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 is the benchmark for quality management, and the ISO 14001 is the global standard for environmental protection. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 50 Certification grants standards for materials, design, construction, and performance of products used for public pools and spas and for recreational water facilities. The NSF Standard 61 addresses drinking water system components, ensuring protection against leakage of unsatisfactory contaminants and impurities.
Heliocol
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ISO 9001 (1999)
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ISO 14001 (2008)
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NSF Standard 50 Certification (2011)
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NSF Standard 61 (2009)
Aquatherm
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ISO 9001 (2011)
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NSF Standard 50 Certification (2011)
Roof Protection
Heliocol
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Patented mounting system withstands hurricane force winds without straps
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Patented mounting system allows Heliocol to be mounted into trusses ensuring leak-free penetrations for the life of the system and your roof (the only panel in the industry)
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No straps means fewer penetrations into your roof
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Separate-tube design relieves lift pressure
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Separate-tube design allows roof to breathe, preventing buildup of moisture
Techno-Solis
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Monolithic panels require straps to anchor panels to the roof
Fafco
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SunSaver monolithic panels require straps to anchor panels to the roof
Aquatherm
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Monolithic panels require straps to anchor panels to the roof
Hi-Tec
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Monolithic panels require straps to anchor panels to the roof
Suntrek
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Roll-out panels require straps and glue to attach them to the roof
The Clear Winner
What exactly makes Heliocol stand apart from the competition? Heliocol solar pool heaters are one of the greatest solar pool heating systems on the market, producing more total heat from the available roof space than any other solar heating system. The patented individual tube design provides maximum sunray absorption, sustainable all day long. The patented mounting system allows the panels to be mounted into trusses, eliminating undesirable and unsightly gaps. Heliocol panels also come in numerous sizes to accommodate almost any roof and take advantage of every available inch to maximize total energy production. With Heliocol, you’re getting the smartest, most cost-effective, and the most efficient solar pool heating system in the industry.
If you’re interested in Heliocol solar pool heating panels for your home, contact Superior Solar today to get started.
**All company information gathered in this post was obtained in January 2012 from official company websites.