How Do You Make A Solar Heater For An Above Ground Pool
The simplest way to make a solar heater would be to use a black tubing hose and flat spiral coil on plywood or a polycarbonate sheet. Make sure your mounting surface is black, or you can paint it black so it can absorb more heat. If you want to put the glaze on it, you can use recycled windows or a plastic sheet to cover the solar heater.
Your hose length will depend on how big your mounting surface is. After that, attach your pump to it and attach another hose leading to your pool.
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Before the solar panels were installed my pool was very very cold due to the trees that surround my yard. Now my pool is at a comfortable temperature and I look forward to using it all summer. Thomas Trupiano, Staten Island, NY
Buying my solar heater was one of the smartest investments Ive ever made. Sean Hattrick, Hampton Bays, NY
My only regret is we didnt do this years ago. Todd & Elisia Sloan, Old Westbury, NY
We have saved a lot of money not using oil. This system has paid itself off sooner than we expected. Patricia Masiar, East Islip, NY
Our 2 year old grandson really loved the pool this summer. William Mckee, Hicksville, NY
Before the solar panels were installed my pool was very very cold due to the trees that surround my yard. Now my pool is at a comfortable temperature and I look forward to using it all summer. Thomas Trupiano, Staten Island, NY
Sunshine Solar Technologies
Operation Of A Pool Heat Pump
A heat pump uses electricity to extract heat from the outside air and distribute it into the water. The heat pumps do not generate any heat themselves.
Heat pumps are therefore dependent on the outside temperature. Heat pumps are efficient so long as the temperature is higher than 10 °C. They generate up to 5 kW of heat for 1 kW of energy.
If the outside temperature falls below 10 °C, it is best to shut off the heat pump. That is why heat pumps are ideal for those who want to swim from April until the end of October. There are, however, specific heat pumps that can be used at lower temperatures. If you want to swim the whole year round, you can use a heat exchanger in the winter months.
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The Pros Of Solar Heating Your Pool
Once installed the system has little or no running costs.
Solar panels have long life expectancies and are often guaranteed for at least 10 years and are expected to last for more than 30 years.
A system could well payback the installation costs in somewhere between 2 and 7 years although this is dependant on many factors.
Solar heating is most efficient when it warms the water that is being used to top up the pool.
Solar heating works best in the summer when you are most likely to want to use your pool.
Sunheater S120u Universal Solar Pool Heater
In my search to find a Solar pool heater for installing anywhere, I stumbled upon this SunHeater S120U Universal Solar Pool Heater. As long as there is direct sunlight, this solar heater works for roof, ground, rack, or even a fence set-up.
The unique design of this solar heater also lets it absorb solar energy much more efficiently, which we will not find in any other solar heating system. This patented design is flexible enough to be installed for above-ground and inground swimming pools.
Due to the durable polypropylene material, frequent exposure to sun rays and harsh weather will not damage it so soon.
Installation is such a breeze with this unique blanket, as we can just attach it to the existing water pump. Then voila, we are good to go!
This heating blanket increases a 16000-gallon pool temperature to about 6 to 10 °F more. It also has a reel system, so when we need to store this solar heater because its off-season, we can easily roll it up.
- Ideal for setting up on your roof, ground, rack, or fence
- Patented design that lets it absorb more sunlight
- Made up of durable polypropylene for withstanding harsh weather
- Easy installation, allowing attaching to an existing pumo
- Raises a 16000-gallon pool temperature 6 to 10 °F higher
- Comes with a Reel system for easy storage
- A high-priced option or a solar heating blanket
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The Cons Of Solar Pool Heaters
Theres factors beyond cost that may render a solar pool heater the wrong choice for your home…
Time Intensive
Solar Pool Heaters can take a long time to heat up your pool. The exact time taken depends greatly on the pool size and temperature outside though. These heaters are probably not for you if you are looking for fast heating options. Solar pool heaters can take a whole day to heat up your pool by 5-7 degrees even with consistent sunshine.
And the chances of consistent sunlight marginally diminish during winters when you actually want to take a swim in a heated pool.
Needs Sunshine
The catch with solar pool heaters is that they require bright sunny days to work. But the temperature on these days is high enough that you might not require a heated pool. Warm water is a blessing on days when the sun is not out and it’s cold outside. But without steady sunlight, solar pool heaters have no way to transfer heat energy to you pool water.
Solar Pump
Your pool water is not heated for free without a solar pump in place. You require electricity to pump the water to the solar panels. This can add on to your energy bills. But as we said earlier, the rise in utilities is minimal, especially when compared with other pool heating options.
Why Use Solar Panels To Heat Swimming Pools
First of all, pools need to be heated even in warm weather, because they lose heat via surface evaporation. There are different ways to heat pools, such as electric or gas heaters, heat pumps, and thermodynamic panels. So why would you choose solar panels? Solar thermal systems have a short payback period and will help you save money on your bills. While electricity and gas prices are constantly increasing and make your expenses fluctuate depending on the season, solar panels produce completely free and clean energy all year long, for as long as 20 years. Solar heating systems often have automatic control systems, so you wont need to monitor them or spend any money on maintenance.
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Components Of A Dualsun Heating System For Swimming Pools
To get started with DualSuns solar panels for swimming pool heating, you will need:
- DualSun hybrid panels
- The possibility of connection to a heat pump
- The possibility of using a solar water heater that also acts as a swimming pool heater
Schematic diagram of a DualSun individual solar heating installation for swimming pools
- The filter pump: it filters the water in the swimming pool and is located before the panels to prevent them from clogging.
- The pilot valve: it enables pool water to be directed towards the solar panels when they become warmer than the water in the swimming pool.
- The air-to-water heat pump: This is an optional item that provides additional heat for greater convenience, but consumes electricity. Part of its consumption can be covered by connecting it to hybrid solar panels.
These installations are generally more integrated into the home than a simple solar water heater. The panels can be mounted onto the roof and the surplus electricity can be fed back into the house. In this case, the electrical energy generated by the solar panels must pass through an inverter which transforms the direct current from the panels into alternating current fit for household use.
Using A Solar Pool Pump
Your pool pump is the key piece of equipment that keeps your swimming pool clean and your water circulated. Its also one of the largest power-guzzling components, so minimising its running costs should be a priority for you! In fact, according to myperfectpool.com.au, the average cost of running a pool pump is $420 per year for a single-speed pool pump running for 8 hours a day.
If you opt for a solar pool pump, you are essentially taking your pool pump off-grid. This involves buying a DC pool pump that is wired directly into dedicated solar panels that work exclusively on powering your pump. From there, its pretty simple when the sun is shining your pool pump will run on free, green energy.
Cost:
Solar pool pumps typically cost between $250 and $750 which is probably on par with most standard pool pumps. The major upfront cost is the solar panel component, which can set you back anywhere between $1,500 to a few thousand dollars depending on your specific setup and circumstances.
You should recover the cost of your solar pool pump and panels in as little as 3 -7 years through savings on your energy bill. Keep in mind to factor in the cost of a solar pool pump replacement, as it will have a shorter warranty period than your solar panels.
Pros:
Cons:
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Why You Should Consider Making The Switch To A Solar Pool Heater
Solar pool heating systems are likely to last longer than electric or gas pool heaters, due to the fact that theyre more passive than the other options. Learn more about the difference between passive and active solar heating systems here.
The solar pool heater uses only solar power to pump the warm water through the system, effectively using far less energy for water heating, as compared to an electric or gas-powered system.
Electric and gas-powered systems require energy to power the pool pump, filter, and the heating elements of the system. Because it uses solar energy to power all of these components, solar pool heaters cost far less than traditional heating systems.
A solar powered pool heater effectively pays for itself over the course of 1.5 to 7 years, according to the DOE.
How To Choose A Solar Pool Heating System
The summer season has arrived, and now is a great time to think about switching over to a solar pool heater. When you use solar energy to heat your pool, you will be able to keep your pool water at a comfortable temperature, while also relying on clean energy for your pool heating needs. There are several factors to consider when you are shopping for solar systems in The Villages, FL . First, you will want to evaluate what size of solar pool heater will be necessary for your pool. For example, if you have a very large pool, you will want to shop for a larger solar pool heating system. Additionally, you will also want to make sure that your solar pool heater is up to the codes and regulations that are in place through your city or county authorities. If you have questions about solar pool heating, a solar company in your area can provide you with additional information.
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How Does Solar Pool Heating Work
Surprisingly, heating your pool with solar panels is easier and more affordable than you think. The installation can be done in as little as a week or two, so you can have your panels up and running in no time. Once the system is set up, its also completely automated, so you dont have to think about it much in the future.
Most solar pool heating systems have a few different components. The components usually include a solar collector, filter, flow control valve, and pump. These components work together as one large integrated system that heats your pool water to the desired temperature.
Heres how it works: First, the water pumps through the filter. Then the water enters the solar collector, where it is heated and pumped back into the pool. While there are many kinds of collectors, in-ground and above-ground pools in California use unglazed collectors. Theyre called unglazed because they dont have a glass covering to catch heat. Instead, they are made from industrial-grade rubber or plastic. Glazed panels are only used in colder climates, since they work to heat water in temperatures that fall below freezing. Alternatives to unglazed solar collectors include evacuated tube solar thermal systems, flat plate solar thermal systems, and thermodynamic panels. Each of these options is used throughout the U.S. and the U.K., and a qualified solar installer can help you decide which is right for you. .
Sunheater Pool Heating System
This is another solar panel type of solar heater, so again, I set it up on my roof to get exposed to direct sunlight without any obstruction, and true enough, I managed to raise the temperature of my 16000-gallon pool between 6 to 10 °F more.
Such a heating system suffices our familys needs, enough to make us not shiver when dipping our toes. It comes with the web-tube construction, which allows optimal square exposure to sun rays.
I also have no issue with the durability of the materials since it has been constructed with high-quality polypropylene. It also expands or contracts, depending on the temperature and sun exposure.
And if ever its time to keep and store in the shed because it is off-season, its a breeze since it comes with a reel system. This means we can roll it up for easy storage.
The product also comes with four end caps, rubber connector hoses, six hose clamps, two elbows, and even a Teflon tape, which we need in the installation.
- Able to raise the temperature of a 16000-gallon pool 6-10 °F more
- Web-tube construction for optimal exposure
- Durable and adapts to changing temperature
- Comes with a reel system for easy storage
- Materials are all set for easy installation.
- Instructions are not well detailed.
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What Happens When The Heat Pump Reaches The Desired Swimming Temperature
Heat pumps have built in thermostats that monitor the pool’s temperature, when the swimming temperature is reached the heat pump is throttled off automatically, it comes back in operation only if the pool temperature is dropped by 1 degrees less than the set temperature. All inverter heat pumps with this technology allows it to drop to a lower speed and higher efficiency.
What You Need To Know About Solar Pool Heating Systems
Theres something about a cool dip in the pool that can make the stresses of the day melt away. That is unless the pool isnt heated and the shock of the water makes it a bit harder to enjoy. Yet, typical pool heating systems can be very expensive. This is due to their need to constantly run on electricity to keep the pool at the ideal temperature. Yet, a solar pool heating system can be a very effective and efficient way of heating your pool just the way you like it.
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Goplus Solar Dome Solar Heater
Since I have great results using a solar dome heater for my above-ground pool, I thought I should find some more to add to my list. Then, this Goplus Solar Dome Solar Heater caught my attention.
This product is excellent to use when autumn is near, and we want our above-ground pool to stay warm. Due to the solar cover, heat gets trapped in the dome, letting us warm our pool. This is why it also makes it a perfect solar heater, especially when we live somewhere cold.
I managed to increase my pool temperature by 5 °F more to enjoy a warmer swim than usual when I used this product.
I also like the fact that when I received this product, it came with two hoses: A long one that measures 38.6 inches and a short one that is 14.5 inches. Its dome design is beautiful and unique, adding a modern vibe to my swimming pool.
We do not need gas connections to run this solar-powered heater. And we also save up on electricity when utilizing the system.
- The solar cover helps concentrate heat in the solar dome
- Can raise pool temperature to 5 °F higher
- Includes h a long and short hose for installation
- It comes with a beautiful dome design
- Does not use gas or electricity
- The hose is flimsy and may easily be damaged
Benefits Of Solar Pool Heating
The best thing about solar heating? It is the most economical way to heat your swimming pool because the heat from the sun is free!
Solar heating for your pool is something that more people are considering, especially in the South where sunshine is available year-round. The abundance of sunshine makes this region a perfect candidate for this sustainable and renewable energy source. Even after inclement weather, several sunny days in a row will bring your pool back up to a comfortable bathing temperature.
Why is this source better than a heat pump or gas heater? It is easy to maintain and has a low cost to run. Below we will lay out the specifics of why you should consider a solar heating system for your home.
How a Solar System works
A solar kit is an array of panels, usually on the roof, that absorbs the suns energy to heat the pool. These panels are made up of a series of small tubes. Water is pumped through these tubes and gets warmed by the heat of the sun before returning to the pool. The average heat output is ~1,000 BTUs. In hot environments, the system can also be used to cool water by running it through the collectors at night. Additionally, the collector tubes may be glazed or coated. This gives them greater efficiency because more of the heat is retained.
What are the advantages?
If you have any questions about the best heating solution for you, dont hesitate to call the experts at your local Pinch A Penny. Click below to find a store near you.
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