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Roark Solar & Pool Equipment

5.0(
22
)
Hot Tub or Spa - Repair or Service, Water Heater Installation and Replacement, Water Heater - Repair or Service,

About us

Our primary business is helping homeowners, commercial businesses and institutions make the switch to environmentally friendly, clean and free solar energy along with high efficiency and money saving pool equipment. We have provided, installed and serviced high quality solar heating systems throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties for over 35 years. Roark Solar is a division of Environmental Equipment, a Florida state-certified contractor. Owner Jim Roark, has over three decades of solar industry experience and a university degree in physics. He and his team of solar professionals will insure that your system is sized and installed correctly. We use no sub-contractors. In a relationship that dates back to 1978, Roark Solar enjoys a position as the worldā€™s oldest continuous dealer for Aquatherm solar pool heaters. Since 1976, Aquatherm Industries has led the solar pool heating industry with countless product design and manufacturing innovations. Roark Solar has been installing Aquatherm's Solar Industries brand of solar collectors, the industry's most field-tested solar pool heating systems. Our business has expanded into other products. Today, we also sell, service and install heat pumps, gas pool heaters, as well as swimming pool automation, pool sanitation solutions, and energy efficient swimming pool pumps. Roark Solar & Pool Equipment has the experience to handle all your solar heating projects of any scope or complexity. The best evidence of satisfying our customers is the longstanding contractor and vendor relationships we have.

Business highlights

47 years of experience

Services we offer

We sell, electric swimming pool heat pumps and gas heaters, including solar pool heating, install and service solar pool heating, pool automation and high efficiency variable speed pumps. We are a authorized Aquatherm & Hayward warranty service centers., salt machines, solar hot water and solar electric systems. We also install pool heating

Amenities

Free Estimates

Yes

Reviews
5.022 Reviews
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Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
100%
4
0%
3
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2
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1
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Showing 1-22 of 22 reviews
Dennis N.
Sep 2020
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,150
Very responsive. Very pleased with the results and their professionalism
John D.
Jul 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,000
Thoroughly impressed by every aspect, from the bid through the final installation. I liked them so much they were my go-to a few weeks later when I decided to upgrade my pool pump and controller. Always responsive regarding follow-up questions or issues.
Dennis T.
Jun 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,400
Very good installation. Neat, tidy, on time. System works like a charm.
Mark B.
Apr 2016
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,000
unknown
JAMES M.
Feb 2016
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
unknown
Seth S.
Jun 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
They indicated they were going to be able to fix the leak within a week to 10 days, however, they were able to come out earlier.  They were able to fix the leak while I was at work.  I came home and the leak was fixed.
Mary K.
May 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$500
unknown
Ryan C.
Mar 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$120
I contacted Jim on Monday and he collected all of my information.  Jim was very thorough and helpful on the phone.  He told me that a tech would contact me later in the week to come out for a service call at $120.  The tech called me the next morning and told me he had an open slot and would come by by 10:00 a.m! How great!  They inspected, repaired, and kept me in the loop the entire time.  Since it was an easy repair, it was covered in the $120 service call and did not require any additional cost.  I appreciate the fact that they recognized it was an easy fix and did not attempt to sell me on pricey repairs or replacements.  It is great to know we have a reliable, trustworthy company in the area.  Thanks!!
Jorge M.
Jun 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,300
Jim came out to view the situation with our pool (32' x '16' and 10' deep at one end) then spent a reasonable amount of time explaining the  quality of the components, the installation and functioning of the system and answering all the questions we had.  We agreed to a day and time to start the installation.  A problem with the roof caused a delay but Eric and colleague showed up as soon as the roof problem was fixed and competently installed the complete system.  We exercised the system for about a week before we left Sarasota and we have been traveling and have not had many opportunities to try out the system since then.  We will soon be back in Sarasota and will update this report if there are any significant changes.
Joan N.
Jun 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,000
unknown
Dot B.
Mar 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$125
It was a bit difficult to get them scheduled and when he did show up at 6:30 in the evening we were just going out for the evening.  He went ahead and repaired it in our absence,  but I would have preferred to be here.  Price was reasonable.  Repair seems to be working fine.  I will use them again.
Response from Roark Solar & Pool Equipment
"Our response time & punctuality were weather, both rain & wind related. Our determination was to get "caught up" as demonstrated by the late time we did the repair."
Wendy P.
Mar 2014
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,000
Punctual, courteous, efficient workers.  They cleaned up after themselves. Job completed in 2 days.
Lori S.
Oct 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$200
Jim is one of the most consumer-oriented business owners around. He really looks out for you.  Jim saved us thousands of dollars.
Tom S.
Oct 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,000
I am happy with the work, how it was done, and what I was sold.   
My roof faces north, which is not optimal for solar, but I did not want the expense of  installing a frame, along with the worry of having panels literally "hanging out" in the wind.
Roark's solution was to increase the number of collectors.  They were also able to put two of them facing west.  They did a great job of plumbing, including the connection to my existing gas water heater (which I definitely won't be using as much anymore).   The pool blanket cuts way down on heat loss during the night..  Instead of losing 10F overnight, now it's only 4 F.
Regarding the automatic control Roark recommended -- best thing ever.  It controls the flow of water to the panels, using them when they can actually do some heating, and turning off the water when they can't, in accord with the temperature you want. 
My pool was at 80, and now it is at 90F, just what I wanted.   
Thanks, Roark!

Dianne R.
Sep 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,595
Came when scheduled, right on time, job completed same day, everything seems to be doing GREAT!! (only 1 week old just now)  Pool heated up to 90 degrees within 1 day!
Michelle R.
May 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,500
Roark Solar just installed a solar pool heater for my husband and me.  I called Jim two weeks ago and he was at my house the next day.  Jim was so thorough in explaining the process.  My husband and I thought we had done our homework on solar but shortly after Jim arrived, we realized that we did not know the process or what it would take.  However, Jim got us up to speed quickly.  After Jim left, we decided not to go with anyone else (we cancelled our next appointments).  His knowledge, experience, and caring was all we needed.
Eric came out the following week.  He was so respectful, conscientious, clean, and kind.  After he left, you would never know that we had anything done to our house other than the new panels on our roof.  We believe he left it in better shape than how he found it.Thank you, Jim & Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vernon B.
Mar 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$8,000
Roark Solar Co. did an excellent job, the workers were very friendly and professional, arrived on the day and time they had told us.  I would certainly hire them again in the future for other needs.
Tom T.
Sep 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$145
Outstanding.  I had called Harriman's of Venice several days ago and had not been able to get them here to do the work even though they indicated that they would come.  No telling when they would have finally gotten around to doing the work. I joined Angie's List and then proceeded to find another company to repair the leaks assocated with my solar panels.  I had a very pleasant conversation with Jim Rorark and explained the situation and asked him when he could come to my home and do the repairs.  He indicated that he may be able to get someone get to my home today but would let me know.  He carefully explained the potential costs and I provided him with information on my location, my contact details etc. Approximately 15 minutes after we had completed the initial phone call, he called back and told me that they would be able to come today between 11am and 12 noon.  They arrived approximately 11:45am.  They found the leaks, confirmed the repairs necessary and indicated the costs for repairs.  I approved the cost and they proceeded to do the repairs.  The repairmen were courteous, professional and knowledgeable in their understanding of the necessary repairs.  The repairs were completed, I paid and they left.
This was truly an outstanding experience.  I would recommend them very highly.  It is an absolute fact that Rorark Solar will be the one to do my repair and/or installation work on solar panels in the future.  It certainly will NOT be Harriman's.
Paul F.
Jun 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$875
mr. roark immediately was back in touch after my inial call to roark solar.  he diagnosed the problem(new pump needed for the pool) and performed the work promptly at a price that was in line with and lower than most other estimates i received.  he is very experienced, knows his stuff and a straight shooter.  i'd definitely use roark solar again.
Linda R.
Feb 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$5,200
We chose Roark out of three estimates based on their knowledge of the product and their competitive price. Owner came to my house to give me an estimate. He was thorough and fully explained how it works and how work is performed. Installers were punctual, pleasant and very knowledgable. When the work was completed, they explained the operation in terms I could understand. I was very pleased with how they cleaned up, including construction debris that wasn't even theirs. I would definitely recommend them.
Richard P.
Dec 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$350
See above --- that's the story
Chris S.
Sep 2011
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,000
We had a local company install solar heating for our pool, then the following year we had solar panels installed to heat the water.  This job did not go well so we inquired with this company to find out what they did wrong.

Licensing

State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our Find Licensing Requirements page.

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FAQ

Roark Solar & Pool Equipment is currently rated 5.0 overall out of 5.

Yes, Roark Solar & Pool Equipment offers free project estimates.

No, Roark Solar & Pool Equipment does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.

No, Roark Solar & Pool Equipment does not offer a senior discount.

No, Roark Solar & Pool Equipment does not offer emergency services.

No, Roark Solar & Pool Equipment does not offer warranties.