A Complete Guide to Solar Heating
If you live in a colder climate, you probably don’t use your pool throughout the year. After all, not everyone enjoys taking ice baths in winter. You might be using your pool only for 4 to 5 months every year. Thankfully, there are ways to extend your swimming season significantly. One of the best ways to do this is through a pool heating system. One of the pool heating methods that has been gaining popularity in the past few years is the solar heating system. Here is a complete guide to solar heating for your swimming pool.
What Is A Solar Water Heating System?
A solar heating system consists of a device that transforms solar power into heat water. It can be used for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes. You can install it in any open space like a terrace so that it can get an ample amount of sunlight. This will be then used for heating the water in your pool.
It is important to note that these systems don’t rely on electric supply. They use the energy of the sun to heat the water. It can help you save about 1500 units of electricity every year.
Types Of Solar Heating
Depending on your budget and requirements, you can opt for any one of the following types of solar heating for your pool:
1. Pool Cover
Solar pool covers are a popular option for many people, mainly because they are able to provide great results at a lower cost. They can heat your fibreglass swimming pool to about 8 degrees Celsius warmer. Since they are built using the polyethylene (PE) bubble layer, it has a constant thickness that helps warm up your pool. It is also great for saving water, saving time and money on cleaning the pool, using fewer chemicals, and more. You might have to pay somewhere between $1,500 to $4,000 for a good solar cover.
2. Thermal Solar Heating
This is the most common type of solar heating. Also called solar panel heating, in this, solar panels are placed in an open space like your roof. This works perfectly for people who live in a sunny and warm climate. You can use this if you live in a cooler climate as well, but in order to use your pool throughout the year, you might need electricity or a gas heating system.
Solar panels are available in a wide range of materials. You can get glazed solar panels made from copper, aluminium, and glass or get affordable ones made from plastic or rubber matting. The former is more efficient but expensive. If you live in a cooler area that doesn’t get a lot of heat, glazed panels will be a better option. With these types of panels, you will be able to use your pool throughout the year.
3. Evacuated Tube Solar Heating
Evacuated tube solar heating is known to provide the best results in heating up the pool. However, compared to other types of solar heating, this is the most expensive. You will be paying about 20 to 100% more than what you would have paid for thermal solar collectors. However, if you live in a cooler climate, this is a more reliable option as it will heat your fibreglass swimming pool quickly.
It is made up of a series of small glass that is attached to larger glass tubes. This results in the creation of a vacuum. As the sun heats the glass, the produced heat gets collected through the vacuum, which is then transferred to the water box through the heat exchanger. The water from your pool will be transported through the water box, heated by the heat exchanger, and pumped back into your pool.
Benefits Of Using Solar Pool Heating
Solar pool heating runs exclusively on a natural and renewable source of energy, sunlight. Because of this, this is a safe heating system that is also kind to the environment.
When it comes to heating your pool, solar heating is also the most cost-effective. As the prices of electricity and gas rise all the time, solar heating system installation can save you a lot of money on bills. Also, now you can buy systems with automated controls, allowing you to select the times of operation and water temperature. This way, you can reduce the wastage of energy even more and save a lot more money.
Installing a solar heating system will also cost you less than other forms of heating system. On average, the total cost of installing the system will be in the range of $3,000 to $6,000. With the money you will be saving on power bills, this initial investment will be easily recouped.
If your pool doesn’t have a heating system, installing a solar heating system will ensure that you are able to enjoy your pool more. Even during the summer season, the water under the surface is always cooler. It might not be warm enough to comfortably relax in. If you live in a cooler region, you might be using your pool only for a couple of months every year. Depending on the type of system you go for and the climate, a solar heating system is capable of increasing your pool water’s temperature by 2 to 10°C. This will make the water more comfortable to swim and relax in. Also, you will be able to use your pool during the spring and autumn season as well. The colour of your pool can also affect how cold or warm it gets. Darker pools tend to be warmer than lighter ones.
Moreover, this type of heating system is low-maintenance. It can easily work efficiently for about 10 years, without needing any repairs or replacement.
Conclusion
This was a complete guide to solar heating. You now have an understanding of the benefits of solar heating systems and their different types. Through this, you will be able to pick one that fits your budget and lifestyle. Installing a solar heating system will open you up to the possibilities of natural, renewable energy. If you are still unsure about whether or not a solar heating system is right for you, you can talk to a professional and get detailed insights into the same.
A Complete Guide to Solar Heating
If you live in a colder climate, you probably don’t use your pool throughout the year. After all, not everyone enjoys taking ice baths in winter. You might be using your pool only for 4 to 5 months every year. Thankfully, there are ways to extend your swimming season significantly. One of the best ways to do this is through a pool heating system. One of the pool heating methods that has been gaining popularity in the past few years is the solar heating system. Here is a complete guide to solar heating for your swimming pool.
What Is A Solar Water Heating System?
A solar heating system consists of a device that transforms solar power into heat water. It can be used for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes. You can install it in any open space like a terrace so that it can get an ample amount of sunlight. This will be then used for heating the water in your pool.
It is important to note that these systems don’t rely on electric supply. They use the energy of the sun to heat the water. It can help you save about 1500 units of electricity every year.
Types Of Solar Heating
Depending on your budget and requirements, you can opt for any one of the following types of solar heating for your pool:
1. Pool Cover
Solar pool covers are a popular option for many people, mainly because they are able to provide great results at a lower cost. They can heat your fibreglass swimming pool to about 8 degrees Celsius warmer. Since they are built using the polyethylene (PE) bubble layer, it has a constant thickness that helps warm up your pool. It is also great for saving water, saving time and money on cleaning the pool, using fewer chemicals, and more. You might have to pay somewhere between $1,500 to $4,000 for a good solar cover.
2. Thermal Solar Heating
This is the most common type of solar heating. Also called solar panel heating, in this, solar panels are placed in an open space like your roof. This works perfectly for people who live in a sunny and warm climate. You can use this if you live in a cooler climate as well, but in order to use your pool throughout the year, you might need electricity or a gas heating system.
Solar panels are available in a wide range of materials. You can get glazed solar panels made from copper, aluminium, and glass or get affordable ones made from plastic or rubber matting. The former is more efficient but expensive. If you live in a cooler area that doesn’t get a lot of heat, glazed panels will be a better option. With these types of panels, you will be able to use your pool throughout the year.
3.Evacuated Tube Solar Heating
Evacuated tube solar heating is known to provide the best results in heating up the pool. However, compared to other types of solar heating, this is the most expensive. You will be paying about 20 to 100% more than what you would have paid for thermal solar collectors. However, if you live in a cooler climate, this is a more reliable option as it will heat your fibreglass swimming pool quickly.
It is made up of a series of small glass that is attached to larger glass tubes. This results in the creation of a vacuum. As the sun heats the glass, the produced heat gets collected through the vacuum, which is then transferred to the water box through the heat exchanger. The water from your pool will be transported through the water box, heated by the heat exchanger, and pumped back into your pool.
Benefits Of Using Solar Pool Heating
Solar pool heating runs exclusively on a natural and renewable source of energy, sunlight. Because of this, this is a safe heating system that is also kind to the environment.
When it comes to heating your pool, solar heating is also the most cost-effective. As the prices of electricity and gas rise all the time, solar heating system installation can save you a lot of money on bills. Also, now you can buy systems with automated controls, allowing you to select the times of operation and water temperature. This way, you can reduce the wastage of energy even more and save a lot more money.
Installing a solar heating system will also cost you less than other forms of heating system. On average, the total cost of installing the system will be in the range of $3,000 to $6,000. With the money you will be saving on power bills, this initial investment will be easily recouped.
If your pool doesn’t have a heating system, installing a solar heating system will ensure that you are able to enjoy your pool more. Even during the summer season, the water under the surface is always cooler. It might not be warm enough to comfortably relax in. If you live in a cooler region, you might be using your pool only for a couple of months every year. Depending on the type of system you go for and the climate, a solar heating system is capable of increasing your pool water’s temperature by 2 to 10°C. This will make the water more comfortable to swim and relax in. Also, you will be able to use your pool during the spring and autumn season as well. The colour of your pool can also affect how cold or warm it gets. Darker pools tend to be warmer than lighter ones.
Moreover, this type of heating system is low-maintenance. It can easily work efficiently for about 10 years, without needing any repairs or replacement.
Conclusion
This was a complete guide to solar heating. You now have an understanding of the benefits of solar heating systems and their different types. Through this, you will be able to pick one that fits your budget and lifestyle. Installing a solar heating system will open you up to the possibilities of natural, renewable energy. If you are still unsure about whether or not a solar heating system is right for you, you can talk to a professional and get detailed insights into the same.
