In addition to warming up your pool and making it suitable to swim in well past swimming season, installing a solar-powered pool heater is a terrific method for pool owners to save money on heating expenditures.
The systems often last longer than conventional gas or electric pool heating systems and are quite inexpensive to install and operate. Solar pool heaters can be used for both above-ground pools and in-ground pools, making them adaptable to a variety of pool sizes and types.
This article will describe how pool solar warmers operate, how much they cost, and whether or not you should buy one.
How do they work?
The water is removed from the pool, passed through a filter, and then heated by sun energy in a solar thermal collector before being pumped back into the pool. In order to regulate the pool temperature, the system additionally needs a sensor, a flow control valve, and a check valve.
Solar pool heaters utilize a solar thermal collector, check valve, flow control valve, and a sensor in order to produce hot water.
The majority of systems have the ability to automatically determine the water’s temperature and move it to the solar collector, where it will be heated before being returned to the pool. The flow control valve then directs the flow from the solar collector back to the pool once the water reaches the required temperature.
The solar collector is typically bigger in colder regions of the US and in locations where pools are utilized all year round, enabling it to keep heating the pool even when there are considerable dips in temperature.
If necessary, a solar water heater can be utilized in addition to electric or gas heaters.
Solar thermal collectors
The thermal energy from exposure to the sun is captured by solar thermal collectors. Pumped through the bottom collectors is cool water. The water that has been heated by the sun rises to the surface, where it can be utilized to warm swimming pools, as well as interior spaces like homes and buildings.
Glazed vs. unglazed solar thermal collectors
Glazed and unglazed solar thermal collectors are the two main varieties.
Glazed solar collectors
Glazed solar collectors, often referred to as flat-plate collectors, are enclosed in glass and frequently have more intricate designs due to the use of metals (such as copper tubing and aluminum plate) underneath an iron-tempered glass covering.
These systems can produce greater amounts of heat since they heat water more effectively and take up less space. Glazed sun collectors can be used all year round, although they are more expensive than unglazed solar collectors.
Unglazed solar collectors
These collectors are often made of black plastic or heavy-duty rubber and are ultraviolet (UV) treated to help extend their service life.
Unglazed solar collectors, while typically cheaper, are less effective and limited to warmer climates and pools whose temperatures don’t reach below freezing.
Which size solar collector is right for your home?
The Department of Energy (DOE) suggests that the solar collector be between 50% and 100% of the size of the pool’s surface, depending on how many months of the year you intend to use your pool and how warm you prefer your water to be.
For instance, a pool with a surface area of 300 square feet is 15 by 20 feet in size. As a result, the solar collector should have a surface area of 150 to 300 square feet.
Consider a solar collector that is the whole size of the pool or bigger if you want to keep your pool open all year.
For instance, in order to accommodate year-round use, a 15 by 30 foot outdoor swimming pool in Florida normally needs a collector that equals 100% of the pool’s square footage. 450 square feet of collectors are covered by this.
Since most residents of northern California only utilize outdoor pools for 6–8 months of the year, systems are normally sized at 60%–70% of the pool’s surface area.
How much does it cost to install and operate a solar pool heater?
A solar pool heater generally costs between $3,000 and $4,000 to install completely. They do, however, pay for themselves in saved energy expenses in as little as 1.5 years through energy savings.
When compared to conventional pool pumps, which may cost anywhere from $1,000 to as much as $3,000, you can choose to power the pool pump with your solar power system, making your blue pool even greener.
Why you should consider making the switch to a solar pool heater
Due to their greater passive nature compared to electric or gas pool heaters, solar pool heating systems are likely to survive longer. Here is further information on the distinctions between passive and active solar heating systems.
In comparison to an electric or gas-powered system, the solar pool heater efficiently requires far less energy to heat the water since it pumps it through the system using solely sun energy.
Systems that run on electricity or gas need energy to run the pool pump, filter, and heating components. Solar pool heaters are far less expensive than conventional heating systems because solar energy is used to power all of these parts.
The DOE estimates that it takes a solar pool heater 1.5 to 7 years to effectively pay for itself.
Making the most of your solar pool heater installation
The cost of operating a solar-powered pool heater can be further decreased by taking easy steps like using a pool cover to assist preserve heat. The surface of the pool will receive more heat energy from the sun thanks to solar pool covers.
The usage of Solar Sun Rings is another option for adding a little extra warmth to the pool. They are little heaters that float on the water’s surface of pools.
It is advised that you hire a qualified contractor to install the heating systems because solar pool heaters involve both electrical and plumbing work, particularly if you plan to install them on your roof.
Solar installers will be aware of any local solar rebates and incentives that are available in your region, but both pool and solar contractors are capable of installing a solar-powered pool heater.
Here is the solar pool heater, a cheap method of heating your pool Ratings