Game 4714 Solarpro Contour Solar Pool Heater For Intex
Best Compact Solar Pool Heater
The GAME 4714 SolarPRO Contour Solar Pool Heater for Intex is our pick for the best compact solar pool heater. Its a self-contained unit that sits on adjustable legs. It has a unique dome shape, which uses the greenhouse effect to raise the heat containment. It offers an increase in water temperatures of five degrees.
It is easy to install because you will sit it near your pool and only need to connect the hoses to your system. However, you should keep in mind that you want it to be in a very sunny area. If the heater does not have sun exposure for most of the day, it will likely not produce results.
The unit is relatively durable. You shouldnt have issues with the legs breaking. They adjust quickly as needed. It is also effortless to move around if you want to maintain sun exposure.
- Must have full sun most of the day for heating effects
How Many Hybrid Solar Panels Does It Take To Heat A Pool
The number of panels needed to heat your pool depends on its surface area and volume. The geographical location should also be taken into account. For instance, the panels will have a higher efficiency in the south of France because the region boasts more regular sunshine.
To determine the number of panels to be installed, one must know the swimming pools heat loss surface, meaning the surface exposed to the air. In the case of an underground pool, this means the surface of the pool only.
With this in mind, the next step requires accounting for the regional climate. In the south of France, for instance, it is recommended that the surface occupied by the solar panels represent at least 50% of the swimming pools heat loss surface. In the north, this number is something like 75%. In both of these cases, the panels will increase the temperature by 2 to 4°C depending on the amount of sunshine available.
Consequently, in the south, one should install 5m² of DualSun panels per every 10m² of swimming pool surface area. In the north, 7.5m² of panels per every 10m² of swimming pool surface area.
As an example, an 8 x 4m underground swimming pool in the south of France will require: 8 x 4 x 50% = 16m² of panels, or 3kWc.
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.
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What’s The Cost Of Solar Pool Heating
How much does a solar pool heater cost to install?Solar pool heating systems range in price from a low of $3,000 to a high of about $9,000. That said, the average cost a solar pool heater installation falls in the $5,000 range.
- The size of your pool
- The type of panels you purchase
- Your available sun exposure
- The amount of additional work needed for installation
How much does it cost to heat pool with a solar pool heater?Related:
Lower Tech Solution: Polypropylene Solar Pool Heaters
One step up in pool heating technology is a solar thermal collector. These devices donât have any moving parts, but are simply a continuous tube of black plastic arranged into a flat collector.
| Pros | |
|---|---|
| Can be installed and put away for when you need it | May require a pump upgrade Out-of-the-way installation becomes more complex |
With tubing, you connect the solar heater to your existing pool pump and point it at the sun. The water from your pool circulates through the tubing, collecting heat energy along the way.
If youâve ever left a garden hose sitting in the sun, you know how quickly the water inside can heat up. These solar heaters work on the same principle. Despite the simplicity , they can be surprisingly effective.
To increase the heating potential of the system, simply connect multiple heaters in series. If you want the option to stop heating, youâll need to install a control valve into the flow.
Hereâs some examples from Amazon:
The main advantages of this type of heater are simplicity and effectiveness. Solar thermal collectors have a potential efficiency of around 50%, compared to the best photovoltaic panels that max out around 23% efficiency. This means that about half the sunlight that hits one of these collectors can be captured as heat.
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How A Solar Pool Heating System Works
Your original pool pump transfers water form your pool into the solar hot water collectors. These are usually thin black collectors fastened to the roof of a home or business. The solar panels use the suns direct heat to bring the pool water up to a nice comfortable temperature.
Theres no better place than Arizona to use a solar pool heater!
Learn More By Calling Us
The entire process of switching to an alternative energy source for your pools heating needs can be easier than you think. It all starts with a consultation. Theres no pressure involved. Well show you exactly what to expect, give you options, and provide you with a clear price on the process. Its easy to see the value they can offer.
Take the time to contact Custom Solar and Leisure today to learn more about installing a solar pool heating system. Call us at 520-247-3060.
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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.
Why Install Solar Heating For Your Swimming Pool
Did you know that the ideal water temperature for swimming pools lies between 26 and 29°C? To achieve this, you will need to rely on a swimming pool heating solution.
With this in mind, we cannot recommend solar swimming pool heating highly enough. For one, it makes sense. For another, it is economical. Last but not least, it is environmentally-friendly!
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Your Investment Will Save You Money
Solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy. Most solar pool heating systems in our area can be installed for $3000.00 to $4500.00 and will often pay for themselves in as little as 2 years compared to other heat sources. Solar has no ongoing operational costs, so you will never have to turn your heater off due to high costs. By taking advantage of the suns abundant free energy, you are ensuring a bright future for the following generations. Solar pool heating systems require minimal maintenance compared to other options and will continue to save you money and energy for 15 years or more!
We Trust Aquatherm Pool Heating Systems
Solar Lights & More is an exclusive distributor of ECOSUN® Solar Pool Heaters by Aquatherm, ranked number one in the industry. On top of producing high quality, reliable solar heaters for pools, you receive a full 12-year warranty and limited lifetime warranty!
Are you ready to enjoy your pool year-round with minimal cost? Then get in touch with our team for your own pool solar panels. With over 25 years in the solar business, you can count on us to set up your solar pool heating system to run for years to come.
Call Solar Lights Inc. of Ocala today at for a free solar consultation!
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We Demand The Best Products For Superior Results And Performance
Stilwell Solar is the exclusive Aquatherm Solar Industries Master Dealer in Southwest Florida. Manufactured for over 40 years, Aquatherm is the largest manufacturer of swimming pool solar components in North America. They are committed to innovative design, uncompromising quality assurance, and a superior manufacturing process. Exceeding the safety, durability, and toxicity standards of NSF-50, Solar Industries patented materials and high performing panel design means our quality solar pool heating systems outperform and will outlast the competition. With tens of thousands of Solar Industries installations worldwide since 1976, you cannot find better built, better backed solar components.
- Highest BTU Collector Rating 93.5% Thermal Efficiency
- Aluminum and Stainless Steel Mounting Hardware, Including Strap designed to withstand hurricane-force winds
- Made in the USA, from their 50,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility in Lakewood, NJ
Solar Heaters For Inground Pools
There are solar panel kits available for in ground pools in many sizes 4W X 10L or 4W X 20L. A good rule of thumb is to have roughly half of your pools surface area equal in panel square feet.
Example: A 20×40 pool has 800 sq ft of surface area, so 400 sq ft of solar panel would be a good target. This would equate to 5 of the 4×20 panels, or 10 of the 4×10 panels.. See our solar pool heater sizing charts for your pool size.
For so many solar panels you need a good deal of space. However, you can always start with one or two and add more on later just be sure to plan for space. Even one panel will add some heat.
In ground pools typically have much stronger pumps, so the panels can be mounted on a nearby roof, even 2 stories high. A garage or pool house roof or side of a hill is a good place or you might consider building an A-frame from treated lumber and plywood near the pump and filter area.
Once the panels are secure, you are ready to plumb. Plumbing them to and from your pool can be accomplished with PVC, flex pipe, corrugated hose, or even garden hose. All the plumbing fittings you will need are available at most hardware stores.
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So Exactly How Fast Does A Solar Cover Actually Heat A Swimming Pool
How fast a solar pool cover hears a pool mainly depends on how many hours of direct sunlight your pool is getting each day.
A solar cover can increase the temperature of the pool by 5 degrees every 12 hours.
Remember that your pool should be covered as much as possible. Plus, it should be getting no less than 6 hours of sunlight daily.
Sun2solar Blue Solar Cover
Best Solar Cover
The last pick on our list is not a typical solar pool heater, but it does produce similar results. The best solar cover choice is the Sun2Solar Blue Solar Cover. It is a rectangular cover featuring air bubbles that trap the heat.
The cover will also help to keep heat in your pool when the sun goes down. It can prevent the loss of up to 10 degrees overnight.
Using a cover also helps to prevent the evaporation of water and chemicals. Plus, it keeps debris out. Together these benefits reduce your pool maintenance.
The cover measures 4 feet by 8 feet. You can trim this to fit your pool using any basic scissors. Put the bubble side down for maximum heat.
You should note that pool covers generally last about two years. Thats the industry average. This pool cover tends to only last one season, especially in areas with intense sun. If you think a cover is a better fit for you, read our guide on the best solar pool covers or a liquid solar cover might be a good option for you.
- Heating strength
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Install A Solar Pool Heater This Weekend
If you are looking to add a solar heating system to your swimming pool and have questions about how to install solar panels, read on.
From simple, single on-ground panels for Intex pools to multi-panel roof mounted systems for in ground pools, Ill explain the differences and how to get them up and heating your pool in a weekend!
To quickly qualify myself, I have four 2 x 20 panels on my garage roof and have installed dozens of solar pool systems on local residential pools. Plus, I work at InTheSwim enough said.
Heating Strength & Performance
Heating strength is crucial to choosing the right solar heater. Solar pool heater performance is measured in British thermal unit per square foot per day, or Btu/ft² per day. But for the purposes of your research, just look for how quickly the system can heat up a certain square footage of a pool and do the math for your own setup. For some people, an increase of five degrees is enough, and we have some heaters on our list that average that. However, we also catered to those of you who need more heat with heaters that can increase temperatures up to 20 degrees.
Everyones needs are a bit different when buying a solar pool heater. You should always look for the heater that you can install in the way you want and that can handle the size of your pool. Dont forget to also consider the overall heating strength, durability, and any special features the heater has.
Questions? Drop us a line and well be happy to help in any way we can!
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Solar Pool Heater Advantages
Solar pool heaters come with a variety of pros that offset the disadvantages by a large margin. Here are some of the more obvious ones:
Easy maintenance
Theres very few parts in a solar pool heating system. Hence, it requires little to no maintenance for many years.
Adequate Heating
If you live somewhere with lots of sunlight then solar pool heaters have no issues raising the temperature of your pool. And when you couple the heater with a solar pool cover, youre in good shape to have a warm swim whenever you want.
Use Automatic Diverter Valves
With a little extra investment you can get an automatic diverter valve that automatically senses the pool temperature and diverts water to the solar panels. This means the system can be automated to keep you pool consistently at a certain temperature range.
What Type Of Solar Collector Works Best
There are several types of solar water collectors and choosing the right one depends on several factors. Call Arizona Accurate today at 602-547-1598. One of our solar experts can perform an in-depth analysis to help you determine exactly what type of solar collectors will meet your demands and expectations.
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How Much Does It Cost To Heat A Pool During Winters
Your solar water heater might prove to be useless if you dont live in a sunny area such as California, Arizona or Florida for example. However, sun is not the only factor that decides how hot your pool gets.
Outside temperature plays a major role in the temperature of your pool water. If you live in an area that isnt sunny, but is warm, then you might still get positive results.
But in general, if it’s cold outside and the sun isnt shining, a solar pool heater isnt going to work for you.
How To Use Solar Energy To Heat A Pool
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