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Swimming Pool Solar Heater

A swimming pool solar heater is an eco-friendly way to "Go-Green". Solar swimming pool heaters are also an excellent way to save on your energy and pool costs.

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Pool Water Heating

Most pool owners want to save a little on the energy cost of heating their pool and want to swim earlier and longer during the swimming season.

Solar heaters and panels and collectors are pretty straight forward. Most solar heater panels are designed to harness the sun's energy and convert that energy into warm water for your pool.

Places like Arizona, California, Nevada, and Florida really use the power of swimming pool solar panels to their advantage. Other places of the country can benefit from a swimming pool solar water heater because they can swim longer during the season.

I had the privilege to interview Sam Dean about his blog and interest in solar power. You can read the interview here.

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Roof Installed Solar Pool Panels


Benefits Of A Swimming Pool Solar Water Heater

To reach a swimming pool solar heater's fullest potential, you'll need an area that's large enough and has the proper exposure to the sun for the solar collectors (panels).

If your roof is pitched, then the ideal direction for the solar panels is facing south. You may need to add more panels if the need arises or there is a variation to the angle of your roof.

You may also receive a tax credit for your inground or above ground swimming poolsolar heater. Check with your state's laws to see if you qualify.

A good set of pool solar panels should cost anywhere from $3000-$5000 to buy and install, depending on the make, model, and if you're going to install them yourself (DIY) or hire a contractor.


How A Swimming Pool Solar Heater Works

A swimming pool solar heater have:

  • Swimming Pool Solar Panels/Collectors — the part that heats the water and is circulated
  • Filter — removes debris before water is pumped through the panels
  • Pump — circulates water through the filter, the panel, and then back to the pool
  • Flow control valve — automatic or manual valve that diverts water through the pool solar panel
  • Your pool water is pumped by the filter and goes through the solar panels where it's heated before returning back to your pool.

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    Solar Pool Panel Diagram


    Necessary Installation Site Conditions

    The number of pool solar panels required to properly heat your swimming pool solar heater will mostly depend on a few factors:

    1. The surface area of your swimming pool
    2. Water temperature you want to maintain
    3. Shade area of the pool
    4. Direction of the swimming pool solar heaters

    A good rule of thumb: Whatever is the surface area of your pool, you'll need about 60% of that for swimming pool solar panels.

    Example:

    Say you have a pool that measures 20' X 35'. Multiply 20 X 35 and you'll have 700. Your surface area is 700 sq. ft. You multiply 700 x .6 (60%) and you get 420sq.ft of panels.

    In most swimming pools, your current filter pump is normally capable of circulating the warm water through the panels and has enough to keep your water properly filtered. You shouldn't need to change or buy a new filter, and that's always good news.

    Controls

    A good inground or above ground swimming pool heater should be automatic in heating your pool's water. When your pool needs heat, the water goes from the filter to the solar panels to receive that heat. When the correct temperature is reached, the heated water goes back into the pool.

    A good swimming pool solar heater should heat the water before it gets to any gas heater. If a gas heater is also being used, it should only work when it needs to make up any difference in the water temperature saving you the extra expense.

    Operation and Maintenance

    A good solar heater swimming pool should be simply to operate. If you can flip a switch, you can do this. At the beginning of the swimming season, just flip the switch or control to "Auto" or "On" and set the pool temperature to where you want. At the end of the season, just turn it "Off".

    If the solar panels don't drain the water back into the pool at the end of the season, simply uncap the lowest solar panel and allow to drain. This is to prevent freezing and unnecessary expenses later down the road.

    Keep your pool properly balanced using the best pool tips.

    If you plan on adding alot of chemicals or shocking your pool, you'll need to turn off the water supply to your swimming pool solar water heater. By not doing this may cause premature wear and corrosion of your swimming pool solar panels.

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    Solar Pool Panel Chart


    Limits On A Swimming Pool Solar Heater

    If you live in a part of the country that has many winter months, or overcast and rainy days, your solar heater may not be able to properly heat your pool. If you have a gas heater, you may need to break that out to make up the difference if you want to keep your pool temperature up.

    If you have an above ground swimming pool and want an above ground swimming pool solar heater, you're in luck. There are many makes and models to meet your specific demands and needs. Just do your homework and ask the right questions.

    Unlike an electric pool heater which can produce an endless stream of hot water, you may run out of warm water with a solar pool system. More and more people are looking to a swimming pool solar heater option because they are much more energy efficient than other kinds of pool heaters. They may also help save money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.

    We have an unlimited source in the sun. Why not use a swimming pool solar heater?


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    Electric Pool Heater From Swimming Pool Solar Heater



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