Solar swimming pool heaters
Solar Pool Heaters Are Money Savers
Solar energy is one of the best options for heating a swimming pool. Solar swimming pool heaters use the suns energy; therefore, they do not have an operating cost. They work with your existing pool pump, which circulates water from your pool through the heater that is usually located on top of your roof, the now, warm water is pumped back into your pool, warming it.
For maximum heating, you should have a pump timer set to operate during daylight hours. To regulate temperatures an automatic control and valve can be used sometimes, which is common in northern climates or where you want to maintain absolute temperature control. A booster pump may be needed for large commercial swimming pools, community pools, and some larger residential pools.
Even with a solar heating system, you should also consider using a pool cover. Pools loose large amounts of heat. This occurs in many various ways including surface evaporation, which accounts for approximately 75% of the total heat loss.
Bubble type pool covers are the least expensive way to maintain your pool’s warmth and reduce surface evaporation. The pool cover is in the shape of the pool and lays on the pool’s surface. In addition, pool covers also reduce chemical loss associated with evaporation. Pool covers also help to keep the pool cleaner by reducing the amount of dirt and debris that enters the pool.
Average Costs Of Solar Pool Heating Systems
The cost of a solar pool-heating system depends greatly on the size of the system as well as the design of the system that you require, however, the average cost ranges between $2,000 and $10,000. This cost usually included both the purchase as well as the installation price. If you want a rough estimate, you can calculate the cost to be approximately $7 – $15 per square foot depending on system design and collection type you choose. Most homeowners receive a return on their investment between 1.5 and 7 years. However, this depends also on the cost of the auxiliary energy that is being displaced.
Basic Information About Solar Pool Heating
When using a solar pool-heating system the pool’s existing filtration system pumps water from the pool through the solar collector. The collected heat in the solar collectors is then transferred directly to the pool water, which is then pumped back into the swimming pool.
For residential use the proper size of the solar collector should be approximately 50% to 100% of the total surface area of the pool. When you increase the square footage of the solar collector, you can lengthen the swimming season almost into the winter month, allowing the pool to be use in colder weather. In addition, when you add the use of a pool cover or blanket when the swimming pool is not in use, you greatly reduce the amount of heat loss, thus helping you to maintain the warm temperatures for long periods.
Another added benefit of solar pool heating systems is that the maintenance requirements are minimal. The only moving part of a solar pool-heating system is the diverting valve, which controls when the water circulates through the collector loop. When the temperature of the collector is significantly greater or higher than that of the water temperature in the pool, the water will be diverted from the filtration system and through the collector loop. During the night or during heavy cloud periods the water will bypass the solar collectors. There are several smaller systems, which are operated manually or by timers, whereas larger systems may have electronic sensors and controls operating them.