Pools may depend on the context of where you live. When we lived in Florida for 5 years we had a lovely pool - all enclosed with a screened covering, making for a lovely and bug-free outdoor "room" attached to and opening into the house. The pool was self cleaning and had a little water fall - heated by solar panels on the roof. It was heavenly and very easy to maintain. Now we live in the forests of Oregon - a pool here would be labor intensive and not usable year-round unless actually enclosed in a building of some type. Not practical, so no longer desirable.

Richard, I understand the frustration about pricing. We have a huge obstacle when it comes to putting pricing on the internet. Most consumers know very little about hot tubs and what makes one sell for $3000 and another $13K. What they know is size, number of jets and maybe some features. Unlike cars or tvs, hot tubs just don't have a huge base of common knowledge. Manufacturers have confused this even further by touting 'we are the best' with really no objective data base to make that claim. Thermospas is one of the only companies who post pricing because they have never been sold through retail stores with service staff and knowledgable salespeople to help customers buy the product that fits their needs. I think you will see more price ranges on the web soon, but without talking to a trained professional, and until there is some 3rd party helping to define the industry better, your best option is to go on line and request a quote from a local dealer, with local service and support for the hot tub. Then go see the product, wet test if possible and find out what the unique features each manufacturer offers. If I told you I sell a spa with 2 jet pumps, water fall, multi colored lights fits 7 people delivered to your backyard for $6000 and also one for $13000, which would you choose? Which would be the best product for your lifestyle? Price is NOT the defining quality in this industry and we love to educate customers about the many options that are available.

Thank you for your questions. do most solar companies provide free equipment and installation because they want the power being sold back to the power company as their profit? Otherwise why provide free equip and install? A: "Most" solar companies do not provide free installation/equipment, this is a limited percentage of the market. These are through PPA (Power Purchase Agreements) where the solar company earns their profit from SRECS (solar renewable energy certificates), as well as capture any incentives/rebates that are available. Meanwhile, the homeowner saves on their electric bill. However, typically it is better for the homeowner to purchase outright when possible, because long-term they will realize the profit (that the solar company is seeking) by claiming the incentives/rebates/SRECS/energy savings themselves. For those without the means to purchase it otherwise, it can be a win-win when completed through a reputable solar installer. It is not legal/available in every state to have this as an option, including Florida where we are headquartered. 2) don't you recommend if the panels are going in the roof which is most common, that the homeowner have a new roof installed prior to the panels because it will make changing your roof in the future that much more difficult and expensive? A: We believe that 5 years is a threshold that tends to work well (in Florida). If a new roof is likely due within the next 5 years, replace before the solar (electric) goes up. There are additional cost considerations for removing and reinstalling solar when new roofing is to be completed and is more costly to do so for solar electric than it is with solar pool or solar hot water. It is not much more difficult however, it just takes a bit more planning on the part of the roofing contractor and solar contractor (for coordination). Some roofs do last longer than 5 years with the solar added however, as solar arrays act as a barrier against UV rays that degrade the roofing materials. Roofs that are expected to last longer than 5 years can also have unexpected replacement needs sooner than that, due to hail/wind storms or defects. 3) how much space in the home do the batteries and related equipment take up? A: General battery backup systems are typically 8-24 batteries. Each battery is the size of roughly 3 car batteries. These are mounted in a custom battery cabinet, located generally in the garage or a nearby shed. However, battery backup systems are not necessary for most solar electric systems unless there is a specific need (such as remote location). 4) does the homeowner need to bring in a separate licensed electrical contractor to tie in the solar equip to the existing meter and breaker panels in order for power to transfer from the pole to the panels? And if so what is the average cost of this for a homeowner? A: No, this is a part of the solar electric system cost and is factored into the solar contractor quote. A homeowner will not need to pay someone separately for this work. 5) what is the lifespan of the equipment and solar panels that are typically installed? A: 25 year warranty for most solar electric panels, although manufacturers expected life is 40+ years. 6) can the system run heavy power draws like from a/c condensing units and wall ovens, dryers, etc? A: Typically no, battery backup systems alone will not power these systems. This is bad for the batteries and their overall lifespan, because it drains the batteries too quickly. However, grid-tied solar electric systems will not have a problem for heavy power draws, as the grid acts as a backup to assist with heavier draw times/appliances. More FAQ's can be found on our website at: www.univ-solar.com/FAQs/ Batteries: Yes, there are batteries but they are not required for every solar electric system. Most of our customers here in the Orlando area choose to remain grid-tied due to various factors. http://www.univ-solar.com/solar-electric-systems/

I have a lap pool.It came with the house I bought and I would never have known otherwise how great they are and maybe just put in a regular pool if the house didnt have one.But I am so happy that I have a lap pool because where I live its hot enough to swim May thru oct and even longer if you pay to heat it.But I get free heat from the sun year round because its solar heated and once the temperature outside reaches into the 90's so does the pool.I also keep it covered when not swimming so it stays at 90-100 degrees for 5.5 months,if I want it to.I like it hot because its therapeutic for my back pain and with soothing jets also.But its only 3 feet and 5 feet deep so it also is easy to exercise with different equipment and I like the fact that having a long narrow pool motivates me to do 10 or 20 or 30 laps which may be more difficult in an odd shaped pool,plus I can stand or reach the side any time I am tired.There is also a seat on either end.I love to swim at midnight or anytime because its like a jacuzzi when the night air is cool.Its not expensive either.I pay 95 per mth for pool service and he puts in chemicals and scrubs the sides and other than that I just add water when its low.With a variable speed pool pump the electric bill isnt even much more and in the winter I look at blue sparkling water with amazing patterns. Its not great for a big family but for one or two people at a time or even more who are exercising in place,aquatherapy,its awesome.