Solar Panel Pool Heating Systems

• Save money - Solar energy is free. Once the system is installed there are no more energy costs. The cost of a solar panel heating system is usually recovered in 1-2 years.



• Longer swimming season - Use of a solar heater along with a solar pool cover can add up to one month of pool use at each end of the swimming season.



• Clean energy - Solar energy does not generate any pollution. Replacing a gas or propane pool heater with a solar pool heating system reduces carbon dioxide emmissions by 3-10 tonnes each swimming season. (As much as taking one car off the road for a year.)



• Long life span - Solar heating systems have a 15-20 year life span. Most fueled heaters last only half that long.



• Low maintenance - Solar powered heating systems are relatively maintenance-free. Gas and electric heaters require yearly servicing.

How Do Solar Panel Pool Heating Systems Work?

The most common and least expensive option is to mount solar collectors on the roof of your house or other building close to the pool. If an appropriate roof is not available, panels can be mounted on a rack or even laid on the ground.

There are various types of collectors. Usually pool heating systems use unglazed solar panels or coils of black tubing.

A solar pool heating system won't change the way you use your other pool equipment. The existing pool pump circulates pool water through the collector where it warms up and is returned to the pool.

An automatic controller with temperature sensors diverts water to the solar collector when the sun is shining. Manual valves are also available, but if you forget to close the valve when the sun goes down your pool can be cooled rather than warmed by the solar system. For most people, the automatic valve is a worthwhile investment.

You can buy a solar panel pool heating system from solar professionals and have them install it for you or you can purchase packaged systems designed for you to install yourself.