Do Solar Pool Heaters Work In Winter
Solar pool heaters work year round. If you solar heating system is installed properly, then you shouldnt have problems. When the sun is out, solar panels absorb the store energy so it can heat your pool.
A solar pool heater works by collecting energy from the sun. On cloudy days, solar panels still collect energy, just not as much.
Solar Pool Heaters Vs Regular Pool Heaters Which Is Best
Having a luxury pool doesnt mean heating it has to be a luxury expense! As youve probably heard, there are many ways to heat your swimming pool and they all come with their own sets of pros and cons. Some of them can be more cost-efficient than others, like electric pool heaters and solar pool heaters.
In this article, we will dig into the details and compare these two types of popular swimming pool heaters and well help you decide which is the right option for your pool and your budget.
So lets get started straight away with this quick take away so you can find out the differences between solar pool heaters and regular pool heaters, and whether solar pool heaters are worth it or not.
Are solar pool heaters worth it?
Heating your pool with solar energy is a cost-effective, and greener way of keeping your luxury pool heated. Solar panels do initially have costs attached but no ongoing monthly costs, have very little maintenance and can last up to twenty years. Many dealers will have finance options to spread the cost.
Ok so now weve nailed the brief, you might be wondering how both types of pool heating actually work. Lets discover more below.
Your Investment Will Save You Money
Solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy. Most solar pool heating systems in our area can be installed for $3000.00 to $4500.00 and will often pay for themselves in as little as 2 years compared to other heat sources. Solar has no ongoing operational costs, so you will never have to turn your heater off due to high costs. By taking advantage of the suns abundant free energy, you are ensuring a bright future for the following generations. Solar pool heating systems require minimal maintenance compared to other options and will continue to save you money and energy for 15 years or more!
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How Does A Solar Panel For A Pool Work
The solar panels are designed to absorb solar radiation then convert it into heat that your solar heater system circulates through solar pool pumps to solar panels where it is heated and then returned to the pool.
Solar-powered heating systems are for indoor or outdoor installation, and they will work for solar-heated pools of different sizes.
When the solar panel heats up, it warms the water in your pool. A pump then circulates that warm water. Which keeps it heated for as long as there are sunlight and energy reserves on the solar panel.
If you have a solar-heated pool, you can swim year-round with no electrical or gas bills because solar energy derived from the suns energy is completely free excluding other minor costs.
Some solar panels for pools are meant only for pre-heating pool water before you get in, while others provide enough heat to keep your pool warm through the whole day.
What Are The Benefits
The largest benefit of a planetary system is the warmth from the sunshine is entirely free. The electric expenses of running a pump are noticeably less than the various other heater choices like electric and gas. Sometimes, you can use your existing pump, which conserves you from acquiring a brand-new booster pump. They are also low upkeep and last a very long time, generally 10-20 years. A planetary system will certainly maintain your swimming pool operating consistently in the decreased to mid-80s, which is in the collection of what many recreation bathers like.
Planetary system packages approach the rates of electric heat pumps, and in addition, to set-up expenses vary. Your home heater will be effective if you have 75-100% of your pools surface in solar panels. The bigger your swimming pool, the more space you will need for the collectors.
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Siting A Solar Swimming Pool Heater’s Collector
Collectors can be mounted on roofs or anywhere near the swimming pool that provides the proper exposure, orientation, and tilt toward the sun. Both the orientation and tilt of the collector will affect your solar pool heating system’s performance. Your contractor should consider them while evaluating your site’s solar resource and sizing your system.
Is It Important To Have A Pool Cover
All pools will vary in temperatures throughout the year, mainly at night as the ambient temperature also falls. Ideally, all pools should be covered, not only to hold heat within the water, but also to stop evaporation and waste of water and they help keep debris out of the pool when youre not using it.
Another pro to a pool cover is that by utilising a cover when the pool is not in use it will drastically reduce the size of the heat pump required, and further reduce operating costs due to the heat retained in the water from the use of a blanket.
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How Long Does It Take To Heat My Pool With Solar Power
A solar heater can be installed in most regions of the world and does not depend on weather conditions outside as long as the suns energy is reaching the panels so it is a very efficient heating method.
Once you have your solar heater installed, it can take three to five days, on average for your solar heated pool to reach its ideal temperature.
During peak heating seasons it can take longer due to decreased solar radiation such as during the winter solstice and the higher surface-area-to-volume ratio of your pool.
What Are The Advantages Of A Solar Panel For A Pool Over Traditional Heating Methods
Since there are no gas or electric bills involved with solar panels, they are safe and cost-effective.
Traditional heating sources like gas-powered pumps and electric heaters are expensive to maintain, especially during the winter months when electricity bills tend to rise.
Pumps that operate on gas can be dangerous as they require propane tanks.
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Is Solar Pool Heating Worth It
Solar pool heating reduces energy bills and extends the swimming season. Solar pool heaters provide a payback of between 1 and 7 years and are the most cost-effective heating method in sunny climates.
Solar pool heaters provide less value in colder climates with less sun or for homeowners who want the pool to heat up quickly.
Cost Breakdown By 1 Year 5 Years And 10 Years
Year 1-10 Cost Breakdown:
Total Year 5: $4,500-$12,000
Total Year 10: $4,500-$12,000
These prices are based on national averages and can vary by state. States that benefit the most from solar heating systems include Florida, Arizona, Texas, San Diego, and Hawaii. These states experience lots of sunshine throughout the year.
Ok so now youve got a comparison between regular and solar pool heating in terms of how they work, cost, and maintenance, and the breakdown of yearly costs, you might have some other questions about solar pool heating, so lets dive in.
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What Are Solar Heaters And How Do They Work
Pool solar panels are constructed of rows of small, hollow tubes made of black polypropylene or rubber that are seamed together to create a large surface area called a panel.
The sunshine heats the black mat and as water passes through, the heat is transferred to the water and returned to the pool.
Solar panels are an eco-friendly way to heat your pool 10-20 degrees warmer, with do-it-yourself installation, zero emissions and with zero operational costs. With no gas or electrical lines to run, they are favored by pool owners everywhere!
Solar heaters come in a variety of shapes and sizes but the mechanics are basically the same. You can use your existing pump to circulate water through black tubing which naturally absorbs heat from the sun and sends that heated water back to your pool.
The more surface area the solar heater has, the more BTUs of heat are generated. And the more BTUs you generate, the greater the volume of water you can heat. Since a pool is open to the air, heat can be lost quickly. To combat the heat loss, it is recommended to over-size a solar pool heater.
One or more panels can be joined to create more surface area. Panels can be installed for above ground and in ground pools, positioned in a variety of ways, and controlled manually by turning a valve or automatically, with a solar controller.
How Long Do Solar Pool Heaters Last
Solar pool heaters last 15 to 20 years if properly installed and maintained. Most systems come with a 12-year warranty. Solar heaters have a longer lifespan than gas and heat pump pool heaters.
Before hiring a solar installer near you, be sure to:
- Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
- Select companies with experience installing and maintaining solar pool heaters.
- Select installers who are members of the Solar Energy Industries Association .
- Look for installers certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners .
- Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
- Choose a company that is licensed, insured, and bonded.
- Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
- Avoid companies with the cheapest quotes as quality may suffer.
- Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead.
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Choosing The Correct Gas Heater For Your Pool And/or Spa
If you and your pool professional have determined that a gas pool heater will work best for your needs, there are still a few more considerations to keep in mind when choosing the appropriate gas pool heater for your pool or spa. Remember, gas pool heaters are complex pieces of equipment. Determining the correct heater for your pool should be done by a licensed pool professional.
Three factors affect how long it takes to heat your pool:
Size and features of pool or spa
The shape and size of your pool affect the time needed to heat your pool or spa and how much energy is required to do so. A British Thermal Unit is the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. To determine how many BTUs are required to heat your pool, you must first figure out the volume of your pool, which a licensed pool professional can help with.
Environmental Conditions
Air temperature, wind, and a number of other environmental factors will figure in to how fast you can heat your pool water. Cooler air temperatures and increased wind have a significant impact on heat loss due to evaporation, necessitating a larger output of energy to heat your pool. Its important to consider typical weather conditions when determining what size pool heater will work best for you.
Size of heater
Do Solar Panels For Pools Require Additional Energy
A solar-powered pool heater works by solar panels and does not require additional energy. As long as the solar panels are receiving solar irradiation, they will be converting solar power into heat.
When solar heating your pool, you will be helping the environment and saving money by not using the energy from an electric heating system.
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Solar Panels Pool Accessory
A high quality solar pool heating system comes with many features, components, and accessories. For example, it will have components like a collector, heat pump, flow control valve, and filter. There are also necessary tubes and hoses. As a reminder, your solar water heating system should be UV resistant, protect against corrosion, rust resistant, and have heat absorption panels that are iron tempered glass covering.
Premium Solar Pool Heater System Diy Kit
Key features:
- State-of-the-art manufacturing designed for maximum resistance to UV light
- High-performance design while collecting more heat
- DIY installation with walkthrough
Sustainability is a reputation hard to achieve, especially on products where plastic is part of the material. Energy efficiency-wise, these products are all the same. We chose the Premium Solar Pool Heater System DIY Kit as the most sustainable solar pool heater on the list because of the material used to make it. Other products dont indicate theirs. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
The company uses Polypropylene copolymer with synergistic antioxidants and a UV screen, including carbon black to make this product. They manufacture these materials under sustainable standards to minimize their impact on the environment.
Cheap solar pool heaters are usually made with substandard plastic materials. Soon enough, it will weaken and turn into non-biodegradable waste.
Performance-wise, the Premium Solar Pool Heater System DIY Kit heating system is state-of-the-art. Its tube-and-web design allows expansion and contraction as the collector heats and cools. The design will also prolong the service life while collecting more heat.
The product and its accessories are checked thoroughly and are guaranteed to be free from any manufacturer defects or errors. If maintained properly, the Premium Solar Pool Heater System DIY Kit will probably last you a good 15-20 years.
Pros
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Cost Of Installing An Electric Resistance Heating System
Electric resistance heating generally costs somewhere between $1000 and $2000, but when you add in the additional cost of installation, labor, and materials, it can be two to three times the average price of installing a heat pump system.
This is mainly due to additional upgrades to the wiring that might be required.
Electric resistance heaters require heavy-duty wiring and large-amperage circuit breakers, all of which are not particularly energy-efficient.
At the end of the day, you are looking to pay a total cost anywhere between $1,800 $4,000 to install an electrical pool heating system.
So you might be wondering which is cheaper? Pump heating or resistance heating? Lets find out.
Electric resistance heating generally costs somewhere between $1000 and $2000, and $1,000+ for labor
Buy Do It Yourself Solar Pool Heating Panels
Your swimming season is about to get longer!
Your swimming pool is a huge investment and you probably bought your pool for many reasons. Fun in the sun with your family, entertainment, exercise, and many other reasons, therefore you are expecting to get the best use out of your pool, but if your pool is too cold to swim in you are not getting the full benefit of this investment.
Many homes now use and enjoy solar heated pools. A solar heated pool is extremely reliable, safe, and durable year after year.You can enjoy the comfort of your solar heated pool, also knowing that you are using an environmentally friendly energy source and saving money! Order your DIY solar heating panels today!!
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Glazed Vs Unglazed Solar Thermal Collectors
There are two primary types of solar thermal collectors – glazed and unglazed.
Glazed solar collectors
Also known as flat-plate solar collectors, glazed solar collectors are encased in glass and are often more complicated in design, as they are built from metals under an iron-tempered glass covering.
These systems can heat water more efficiently and require less space, which allows them to provide higher levels of heat. While glazed solar collectors are suitable for year-round use, they do cost more than unglazed solar collectors.
Unglazed solar collectors
These collectors are often made of black plastic or heavy-duty rubber and are ultraviolet 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 dont reach below freezing.
Sunheater S120u Universal Solar Pool Heater
Key features:
- Size: 240 x 27 x 3 in
- High-performance design while collecting more heat and UV resistance
- Easy to install and connect to filtration system
SunHeater has many options for solar pool heaters, and we are going to cover a couple of them in this list. The SunHeater S120U Universal Solar Pool Heater is the more budget-friendly of the two we are featuring. But for a minimal price tag, youre getting a maximum product.
As well as being able to heat your pool an additional 10 degrees, installation of the piece is both easy and versatile. You can lay this sucker on the ground, or mount it on fences, walls, or your roof for use with in-ground or above-ground pools.
While its not the hardiest entry on this list , you certainly are getting a decent amount of bang for your buck.
Pros
- Not as durable as others on this list
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Pool Solar Panel Maintenance
Most solar panels require minimal maintenance throughout the year. Periodic cleanings and maintenance inspections of components and connections will keep your system in prime condition for 25 to 30 years. Our teams can test inverters, monitor CO2 emissions, and more. Its our pleasure to help you develop customized maintenance regimens that align with our Southern California climate and the manufacturers recommendations.
Kokido Keops Solar Dome Swimming Pool Water Heater
Keep swimming even during the colder months with this above ground heater. It includes a protective cover for storage when not in use and will heat your pool in an environmentally friendly manner. Its compatible with most above ground pools, and your purchase comes with four-foot hoses along with fittings and stainless-steel clamps.
Those with small pools mentioned that theyre satisfied with this above ground heater as it can help raise the temperature by a few degrees. If youve got a larger swimming pool, however, you may want to attach additional heaters. Customers have also mentioned that this above ground heater works best with direct sun and can control the flow of water through the collector.
Pros:
- Comes at a great price
Cons:
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