You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. They’re cost competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. Actually, solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates.

HOW IT WORK

Most solar pool heating systems include the following:

• A solar collector — the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun
• A filter — removes debris before water is pumped through the collector
• A pump — circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool
• A flow control valve — automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector(s), where it is heated before it is returned to the pool. In hot climates, the collector(s) can also be used to cool the pool during peak summer months by circulating the water through the collector(s) at night.

EVALUATE YOUR SITE

Before you buy and install a solar pool heating system, you first need to consider your site’s solar resource. The efficiency and design of a solar pool heater depends on how much of the sun’s energy reaches your building site.

SIZING A SOLAR POOL HEATER

Sizing a solar swimming pool heating system involves many factors:

• Pool size
• Length of swimming season
• Average regional temperatures
• Desired pool temperature
• Site’s solar resource
• Collector orientation and tilt
• Collector efficiency
• Use of a pool cover.

BEST FOR

Hotels and Resorts

Clubs

Residential Society

Schools and colleges etc