CASE STUDY – Client’s Heating Solution: Maximising Solar Power

Ian from Zane Pool Heating Brisbane South had a client with an existing solar power system and wanted an efficient way to heat their pool year-round, while using the solar power to offset most of the operating costs. The solution needed to be both effective and energy-conscious.

Strategy and Sizing

The primary goal was to maximize the use of the client’s existing solar power. To achieve this, the selected 27 kW Electroheat ECO-VS heat pump was sized for a 6-hour runtime. This specific runtime was chosen for two key reasons:

• Solar Utilisation: A 6-hour window aligns well with peak solar production hours, allowing the system to run mostly on free, renewable energy.
• Rapid Heating: The high-capacity heat pump ensures the pool heats up quickly, which is especially beneficial during cooler months when less sunlight is available.

A Daisy 525 Micron blanket was included to provide an insulating layer, trapping the heat and reducing energy loss when the pool isn’t in use. This further minimises the heat pump’s required runtime and lowers overall costs.

Equipment and System Components

The following equipment was selected and integrated to create a complete and efficient pool heating system:

• Heat Pump: Electroheat ECO-VS (27 kW)
• Filtration: Waterco S602 Filter
• Pumps: Waterco Supa Tuff 100 pump and Waterco Supastream 150
• Chlorination: Waterco Hydrochlor MK 3-25 Amp Chlorinator
• Accessories: Flo Vis, Solar Strainer, and Daisy Cover Inground Box

Outcome

The combination of the right-sized heat pump, efficient filtration, and a thermal blanket created a solution that allowed the client to enjoy a comfortably heated pool throughout the year. The system’s design successfully leveraged the existing solar power, significantly reducing the client’s reliance on grid electricity and keeping operating costs to a minimum.

Commercial Case Study: Nanango Public Swimming Pool Heating Upgrade

Project Overview

Client: Nanango Public Swimming Pool (Council Works Project)

Location: Nanango, Queensland

Zane Dealers: Zane Pool Heating Sunshine Coast & Zane Pool Heating Brisbane South Product Installed: Zane MK2 Gulfpanel

New Absorber Area: 379.08 sqm

The Challenge: Upgrading a Critical Community Asset

Nanango Public Swimming Pool required a complete overhaul of its existing solar pool heating system. The aging infrastructure, which covered 275 square meters, was inefficient and nearing the end of its operational life.

As a high-profile council works project, the scope demanded not only a significant upgrade in heating capacity but also strict adherence to rigorous Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment (OHSE) protocols. Successful execution required meticulous planning, precise installation, and comprehensive documentation to meet mandatory compliance standards, specifically Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS).

A Collaborative Solution

To meet the scale and complexity of this commercial undertaking, two of Zane’s most experienced dealerships—Zane Pool Heating Sunshine Coast and Zane Pool Heating Brisbane South—teamed up. This collaboration ensured peak efficiency in project management, resource allocation, and technical execution from start to finish.

The scope of works included two major phases:

1. Decommissioning: The safe and complete removal of the existing 275sqm of old absorber, manifolds, and associated pipework. This required careful management of working-at-heights and disposal processes.
2. Installation: The fitting of 162 new 3.9m MK2 Gulfpanel units. This resulted in a substantially increased collector surface area of 379.08 square meters, guaranteeing superior thermal performance and maximizing the pool’s heating capabilities for the community.

Focus on Safety and Compliance

A critical success factor for the Nanango project was the flawless execution of OHSE management, which was subject to council acceptance and ongoing monitoring. The joint Zane team prioritized this requirement, ensuring:

• Detailed SWMS: All aspects of the removal and installation were covered by comprehensive, site-specific Safe Work Method Statements.
• Compliance Monitoring: Continuous on-site monitoring guaranteed that all works were executed strictly in line with approved OHSE documentation and council mandates, resulting in a zero-incident project completion.

Results

The Nanango Public Swimming Pool project was completed on time, within budget, and, most critically, in full compliance with all council OHSE requirements.

The collaborative expertise of Zane Pool Heating Sunshine Coast and Zane Pool Heating Brisbane South successfully delivered a modern, high-performance heating solution. The new 379.08sqm MK2 Gulfpanel system provides the Nanango community with reliable, sustainable, and significantly improved pool heating, ensuring the facility remains a valuable asset for years to come. This case study demonstrates Zane’s ability to handle large-scale commercial projects requiring complex collaboration and stringent safety management.

The MK2 Gulfpanel is specifically engineered for high thermal efficiency and durability, making it an ideal choice for large-scale public and commercial installations.