First time building pool, need help picking equipment.

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Sandmanllc

New member
Feb 18, 2025
4
CT
Pool Size
20000
Hello all, I’m new to the forum. I started browsing here recently and am super thankful for all the information on here. We are building a fiberglass 16 x 38 pool in CT. The model is the Latham Kingston. After having discussions with the builder, we are already going to go with an auto cover, 40k salt generator, variable speed pump, 4 cartridge filter, independent returns, 2” piping above and below, 2 lights and likely a gas heater.

I’m wondering if a heat pump with an auto cover will be sufficient to keep the pool warm April through October in CT?

I’m leaning towards Hayward and would like to have automation without spending an additional cost for an automation board. If I buy the Omni versions of the pump, swg will I have to buy additional equipment for automation?

Should I consider any other variables?
 
You may find a heat pump to not be as effective as a gas heater in the shoulder months...here is one from Mass.:

Heat Pump or Propane for New England

Close to making a decision for the new pool - now comes a PB saying go with a heat pump and not a propane heater. 3 previous quotes all tout propane (a bit pricey but better for our cold climes) but the new PB says propane will cost up to 600 a month for the heater (x 4 months = :shock: )...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Omnihub comes with the pump. Confirm with builder. Omni can control the heater, the pumps and two valve actuators. You would have to buy the valve actuators to put on the heater bypass, and temp sensors.

Automation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Hayward Automation Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Heater Bypass - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

As for the salt generator, it will control an Hayward Aqua Rite salt chlorinator, but if controlled by the OmniHub, the Aqua Rite must have a HLAQRPCB communication board installed
 
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16 x 38 = 608 sqft.
_________________________________
140,000 btu/hr Heat Pump.

Air.....Btu/Hr gain.
50........90,000
60........105,000
65........115,000
70........130,000
80.......140,000
_________________________________________

Air.....Water.....Btu/Hr Loss.
50........80.............64,448
60........80.............47,424
65........80............38,000
70........80............28,576
80.......80............10,336

1742424451038.png
 
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1742426442277.png
________________________________________________
140,000 btu/hr Heat Pump.

Air.....Btu/Hr gain.
50........90,000
60........105,000
65........115,000
70........130,000
80.......140,000

________________________________________________
Air.....Water.....Btu/Hr Loss.
50........80.............64,448
60........80.............47,424
65........80............38,000
70........80............28,576
80.......80............10,336
________________________________________________
Air.....Water.....Btu/Hr Loss.
50........85.............83,600
60........85.............66,728
65........85............53,732
70........85............40,736
80.......85............15,352
________________________________________________

Air.....Water.....Btu/Hr Loss.
50........90.............102,752
60........90.............86,032
65........90............69,464
70........90............52,896
80.......90............20,368
 
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Don't cheap out on the Automation or the pump.

TriStar VS 950.

hayward.com

TriStar VS 950

TriStar® VS variable speed pool pumps are the most energy efficient on the market, according to EPA ENERGY STAR 3rd party testing data. Saving pool owners up to 90% on energy costs, they are specifically designed to replace most single speed pool pumps.
hayward.com hayward.com

SKU: SP32950VSP
hayward.com

OmniLogic® Pool, Spa and Backyard Automation System

Elite automation for fully featured new pool and spas. Enjoy the luxuries of full automation from the most intuitive app. Effortless upgrades allow you to always keep your backyard on the cutting edge.
hayward.com hayward.com
 
Note that the heating estimates are for a covered pool.

How long each day will the pool be uncovered?

When the pool is uncovered, what will be the:

1) Air Temperature?
2) Water Temperature?
3) Air Speed?
4) Humidity?

When uncovered, the heat loss at least doubles.

1742435291339.png
 
If we assume a doubled loss when uncovered, these are the new breakeven points.

For example, to maintain the water at 80 degrees, the air temperature needs to be at least 58 degrees when uncovered.

Water.....Air.
80.............58
85.............64
90.............67.


1742435683171.png

1742435626069.png
 
Here is a triple loss.

For example, at 60 air and 80 water, covered losses are estimated at 78 btu/hr per sqft.

Uncovered at 60 air and 80 water, losses are estimated at 78 x 3 = 234 btu/hr per sqft. (3.5 mph wind).

16 x 38 = 608 sqft x 78 = 47,424 btu/hr loss (Covered).

3 x 47,424 = 142,272 btu/hr loss (Uncovered).

If we assume a tripled loss when uncovered, these are the new breakeven points.

For example, to maintain the water at 80 degrees, the air temperature needs to be at least 65 degrees when uncovered.

Water.....Air.
80.............65
85.............69
90.............73.


1742436433961.png

1742436591589.png
 

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Wow this is great data, love it. Thank you so much for these charts and the breakdown. It further solidifies the pool cover. Our goal will be to maintain the pool temp at least 80. It seems as though the gas heater route will offer more versatility.

For the automation. If we go with the tristar vs950 Omni, do I need to buy the Omni version of the aquarite s3 40k? Or is that just buying 2 Omni hubs at that point?
 
Get OmniPL - 4 Relay, Salt Cell, with App.

Get the full automation with the included cell and subpanel.

Standard Features:
• External relocatable touch screen display for easy configuration and programming
• Fully programmable, automatic control of every output
• 4 High-voltage relays upgradeable to 8
• 4 valve actuator relays
• Controls up to 8 pumps without using a relay
• 100A Subpanel with 8 Breaker Slots
• 50 Configurable Favorites Buttons
• 25 Unique Programmable Themes
• Salt Chlorination Ready (S models), select models include a salt cell (Plus models)
• Web-enabled for app and voice assistant control (W models)


hayward.com

OmniPL - 4 Relay, Salt Cell, with App

Unmatched value in automation for new pools and spas. OmniPL leverages the OmniLogic® platform and easy-to-use app, where you can customize the level of smart control. Simplify pool ownership by integrating salt chlorination options with your automation.
hayward.com hayward.com
 
HLPLUS4W OmniPL — 4 Relay, TCELLS340 Salt Cell with App


1742481665803.png

hayward.com

OmniPL - 4 Relay, Salt Cell, with App

Unmatched value in automation for new pools and spas. OmniPL leverages the OmniLogic® platform and easy-to-use app, where you can customize the level of smart control. Simplify pool ownership by integrating salt chlorination options with your automation.
hayward.com hayward.com

hayward.com

OmniLogic® Pool, Spa and Backyard Automation System

Elite automation for fully featured new pool and spas. Enjoy the luxuries of full automation from the most intuitive app. Effortless upgrades allow you to always keep your backyard on the cutting edge.
hayward.com hayward.com
 

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I do know of that option, I’m wondering if the Omnihub would be sufficient? I’m not sure of pricing, but I imagine it would save some money. I believe I could control temp, lights, pump with it.
 
Sandmanllc said:
I’m not sure of pricing, but I imagine it would save some money.
Click to expand...
Price it out both ways.

I suspect that when you account for everything, the price difference won't be a lot.
Sandmanllc said:
I do know of that option, I’m wondering if the Omnihub would be sufficient?
Click to expand...
I do not know if it will do everything you want.

Maybe contact Hayward for a full configuration comparison.
 
Pool Automation is ridiculously complicated with way too many choices and options that most Pool Builders do not understand.

The complexity is completely unnecessary and it just causes confusion for everyone.
 
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