Solar pool heating - probably the most cost-effective application of solar energy

It is relatively simple to integrate a solar water heater since most pools require a pump, filter, and plumbing. With a solar energy system, the pool's water is pumped through the filter and then through a solar energy collector(s) instead of directly back to the pool. The sun heats the water in the collector(s) before it returns to the pool.

Solar pool heating can be used for residential, commercial, or community swimming pools.

For solar pool heating we suggest having a super-efficient gas boiler backup. This is a six panel system. Each panels has 30 square feet of surface area. A summer time covered pool needs a minimum of  25% panel square foot to pool surface area. A year around pool will need about 50% panels to pool surface area.

Pool Site Evaluation

Before buying a solar pool-heating system, you should first make sure you have a good place to put one. Here are some suggestions:

• You can use any sloped roof that does not face to the north. (The most effective facing is toward the southwest.)
• You can mount them on any flat roof or patio cover.
• You can put units on more than one roof area to gain the desired total size. (For example, on one roof that faces toward your backyard and one that faces to the side of the house.
• A new structure can be built specifically to accommodate the solar heater. (If it is raised and near the pool, the shaded area can be an attractive landscape asset.)

How a Typical Solar Pool Heater Works

1. Check valve 2. 3 way solar valve 3. VR valve 4. Hosebib Sunshine is absorbed by the solar collector and converted into heat. Pool water circulated through the solar heater as a routine part of the daily filtering. The solar-generated heat is transported to the pool by the circulating water. Sunshine is absorbed by the solar pool heater and converted into heat. Pool water circulated through the solar heater as a routine part of the daily filtering. The solar-generated heat is transported to the pool by the circulating water.