How Do Solar Pool Heaters Work?

There is nothing better in the heat of summer than having a pool where you can refresh and relax. But many pool owners would also like to find ways to extend the use of their pool facilities during the colder months of the year. Of course, heating a pool is an expensive proposition by conventional methods.

This is where the solar pool heater can offer some advantages to cutting back on the long-term energy costs involved with heating a pool. If you have been considering such an option for your home, here is what you need to know about selecting, operating and owning a solar pool heater.

Key Takeaways

• Solar pool heaters work by using the sun’s warmth to heat pool water, with water passing through solar energy collectors typically mounted on a roof.
• The benefits of solar pool heaters include cost savings (as solar power is free), reliability, environmental friendliness, and the ability to set up heaters in various locations.
• Selecting the right solar pool heater involves considerations such as solar resource, system size, orientation, efficiency, costs, and local regulations.

What Are Solar Pool Heaters?

These impressive systems use the warmth of the sun to warm the pool. Most solar pool heaters work by pumping pool water through a series of solar energy collectors that are sometimes mounted on the roof of your home.

After the water has been passed through the filter, it will be pumped through the solar collectors, warmed to a considerable degree and then returned to the pool.

How Do Solar Pool Heaters Work?

The solar pool heater is a surprisingly simple system. Cool water will be pulled in by the pump you already use to filter your water and then directed through a new set of pipes. The water then goes to a solar collector installed in the location where they will receive optimal sunlight, typically the roof of your home or pool house.

The water is warmed through the heat absorbed by these solar collectors before returning to the pool. This process is completed all day long or until the pool reaches the desired temperature.

You will find different types of collectors, but they all function in basically the same way. The sunlight flows through a glass tube and is fully absorbed on a black pad within. The black pad will raise the temperatures of the solar collector to a very high degree, and this heat is increased through the presence of copper tubing. As the water flows through the copper pipes inside the solar collectors, it is warmed.

Components of a Solar Pool Heater

While there are many different designs and systems on the market, most solar pool heaters on the market today will include the following components in some form or other:

• A solar collector: this is the part that will collect the sun’s heat and transfer it to the water passing through in pipes.
• A filter: it is always best to pass clean water through your solar heater, so this is an important part of that process.
• A pump: you can use the pump that is already a part of your pool system. This will pass the water through the heater after being filtered and then moving it along back to the pool.
• A flow control valve: An automatic or manual switch that will direct or divert water to and from the solar collector.
• Temperature sensors: some systems will include a temperature sensor that will control the flow valve directing water to be heated or return to the pool. This will ensure that your pool is always at the desired temperature.

Benefits of a Solar Pool Heater

You may have heard of the various benefits of using solar power for all sorts of domestic purposes. But when it comes to heating your pool, the benefits of solar energy are especially beneficial. If you have been considering heating your pool, you may be surprised what a huge difference a solar pool heater can make. Consider the following benefits of a solar water heater.

Solar Power is Free

The most obvious benefit of a solar-powered water heater is that solar power is completely free. The investment required to have your water heated will go completely into the installation and basic maintenance of the solar heater with no additional expenses in the future.

If you like the idea of warm pool water in the colder months but hate the idea of prohibitive costs of energy involved, a solar-powered pool heater is the best option for you.

Solar Pool Heaters are a Reliable Investment

You will find that your solar pool heater is a dependable addition to your pool system. This is especially true for those regions where the weather is too cool in the spring and fall for regular pool use.

No matter what the temperatures are, so long as there is plenty of sunlight, your pool will be warm enough for you and your family to take a dip without joining the polar bear club.

If you would like to make the most of your pool all year round, a solar water heater is an ideal option for your needs.

Solar Energy Saves You Money

If you already have a pool heater and are reluctant to swap it out for a new one, think again. A solar pool heater will save you the same cash you will invest in installing a new solar pool heater.

You will save thousands of dollars in energy expenses over the service life of your solar pool water heater literally.

Solar Pool Water Heaters Can Be Set Up Anywhere

You may have an especially large pool or one with a strange shape that can make it difficult to place a conventional water heater nearby. But if you choose the solar-powered option, you will have a greater range of options.

Typically, the solar pool heater will be mounted on the roof of the nearest building, where it is out of sight and out of harm’s way. Even better, they can be mounted on flat roofs and slanted roofs.

The Environmentally Friendly Option

In today’s societies, everyone is becoming more and more conscious about the impact that the appliances in our domestic locations are having on the environment. After all, a conventional pool heater will consume a considerable amount of non-sustainable energy, adding to the carbon footprint we are already trying to reduce.

A solar-powered water heater will allow you to do your part and significantly reduce the greenhouse effect and contribute to the global quest for reduced emissions.

Solar Energy is the Way of the Future

As more and more homeowners choose to favor solar power in their homes, we have found that solar-powered appliances carry a lot of value for the discerning home buyer. This is something that you will want to consider when you choose upgrades that could affect the desirability of your home when it comes time for a resale.

Homes with solar-powered appliances have become especially attractive on the markets today. You can take advantage of this by including a top-notch solar powered pool heater in your home.

Selecting the Right Solar Pool Heater For Your Needs

A good solar heater will cost anywhere between $3,000 and $4,000 to buy and install, depending on the unit you select and the needs of your pool.

You can expect to have your investment paid back within 1.5 to 7 years as well, depending on the costs you would typically need to heat your pool with a conventional water heater.

Furthermore, the solar water heater can be expected to outlast a gas or electric water heater.

But getting your full value for a solar pool heater will depend greatly on getting the correct item for your needs. Choosing the best option for your pool will mean paying special attention to the following details:

• Your site’s solar resource
• The system size
• Correct orientation and tilt for your solar collector array
• The efficiency of your system
• Costs for item and installation
• Pertinent local codes, covenants, and regulations.

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Conclusion

Keeping your pool nice and warm in the cooler months can be an especially costly prospect. But the right solar pool heater can add efficiency and energy savings to your arrangement.

Maximizing the benefits of your solar pool heater depends largely on getting the right option for your needs. By paying attention to the details above, you will have a better chance of recouping your investment in minimum time.