What Is A Solar Pool Heater
A solar pool heater is a type of heating device that harnesses the energy from the Sun to heat the water in your swimming pool. The water from the pool is forced across a special filter placed above the installed solar panels, which are either on the top construction or side of the swimming pool.
Solar heaters for the inground pool are the same as the traditional PV solar heaters. They have special pipes spread across the bottom surface of the swimming pool that ensure constant and uniform heating of the pool water. Many solar heating systems for swimming pools come with a special valve to control the flow, are equipped with sensors, and smartly operate, adjusting the temperature.
When you configure the temperature according to your needs, these sensors can measure the temperature of water generated from solar panels and adjust it according to your set value. If the water in the swimming pool is at a lower temperature, the heating device channelizes the water onto the solar collectors, which heat the temperature of this water. But when the water in the pool is warm or hot, the flow control valve switches off and reduces the amount of hot water being released into the pool.
Lastly, these pool solar panels are quite efficient, especially because the solar heating system is automated, and the process allows it to operate ideally and give you the desired output. So, you can enjoy a nice warm swim anytime you wish to.
Performance Of The Solar Heater
The performance of a solar pool heater is measured in British thermal unit per square foot per day . When choosing a solar pool heater, you might want to go for the high-performance models, since this way you can install a smaller area to efficiently heat your pool. Some solar pool heaters might vary their performance depending if they use steel with iron tempered glass covering or polypropylene heat collectors.
Our Summary On The Best Solar Covers For Inground Pools
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to choose the absolute best solar pool cover for your inground swimming pool!
There are many benefits to having a quality solar swimming pool cover from maintaining your pool temperature to balancing out your pools chemicals. You can use the above reviews to decide which product is the best solar cover for your inground pool, our teams personal top pick is the Sun2Solar Clear Rectangle Solar Cover.
Let us know what you think about our top solar cover choices for inground swimming pools in the comment section below!
- Make sure this fitsby entering your model number.
- Keep your pool warm with a polypropylene heat collector. Direct Flow System One Header Hole for Each Heating Tube
- Solar heater features 80 square feet of solar panels
- Pool accessory is perfect for heating any in-ground swimming pool
- Panel array measures 4 feet wide x 20 feet long. Raises Pool Water Temperature 6-10°F
- Installation kit required
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The 4 Best Solar Pool Heaters 2022
A solar pool heater is an affordable and efficient solution to heat your swimming pool. But you have to check if the heater can generate enough heat to raise your pool temperature even during the winter season.
We all know that solar heaters work using solar panels. As solar panels receive less sunlight exposure during winter, they generate less heat. So, you need to get a heater that has more solar panels or bigger sized panels. This increases the heaters efficiency and helps it to generate enough heat to raise the water temperature.
Furthermore, an above ground pool requires a more efficient heater than an inground pool. This is because the heat escapes through the sides and top of an above ground pool. But, in an inground pool, the soil acts as insulation and does not let heat escape through the sides.
Below are the primary features you need to check while hunting for the perfect solar pool heater to heat your pool.
Apart from these primary factors, there are other several factors you need to consider that are mentioned in the Buying Guide.
But before that, you can go through our list of some of the Best Solar Pool Heaters to buy in 2022. We have considered different parameters and prepared the list to help you simplify the choice.
Sunheater Solar Heating Systems
- Brand: SunHeater
- Its an efficient and cost-effective method to heat your aboveground pool.
- This system can raise the water temperature up to 15°F and extend your pool season by weeks!
- Easy to install
Heres another SunHeater heating system on our list. It is yet another great solar pool heater for your above-ground pool. It comes with a special tube-on-web design that allows the solar panels to produce maximum solar energy. These solar panels cover a large surface area on top of your above-ground pool. Not many solar heating systems allow solar panels to be used as cover panels for your swimming pool.
Pros & Cons
- Works for the above-ground pool only
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Let Us Take Care Of Your Solar Pool Heater Needs
At GPS Pools, we take pride in every single pool heater installation and repair that we do in. Every technician we work with is up to date on the latest technologies to ensure you get the best possible service.
By choosing us, you can relax knowing that your pool is in the hands of industry experts. Call us today at our locations in New Tampa, Lutz, or Land O Lakes, and let us help you figure out the best option with our expert pool heating installation and repair services.
Solar Pool Heaters Cost
The price for solar heaters for pools might go from $3,500 to $8,000 depending on the size you need. If you live in a colder state or have a large pool you might want to install a larger solar pool heater. To reduce the cost of your solar heating system, you might want to invest in a pool solar cover, since the solar cover it is highly efficient in helping the pool retain heat and avoids pool water evaporation as well.
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What Are The Benefits Of Sunheater Solar Pool Heating Systems
In addition to our easy DIY installation kits, solar pool heating systems offer multiple benefits to enhance your summer, including:
- Affordable: Annual costs to heat your pool in late Spring and early Fall can quickly stack up when using gas or electric heating systems. The only cost involved in using an above-ground or inground solar heater is the cost of running your pool pump, which you would regardless. The high-quality, polypropylene material will last for years, paying for itself in a matter of months.
- Environmentally friendly: Solar energy is both free and eco-friendly, making it an ideal solution for heating a large body of water for several months at a time. You will reduce your carbon footprint while .
- Get more from your pool: Add several extra weeks of play and swimming with your Sunheater solar pool heating system!
A Specially Designed Over
- Constructed with Over-Molding Injection Technology, a one of a kind injection process that creates a reliable, robust collector with no failure points and no leaks.
- The overmolded header is formed over each individual tube and fused together during construction, producing the strongest possible connection.
- Overmolding eliminates cracks and welds for a longer lasting, maintenance-free system.
- Each individual tube opens directly into the header, increasing flow and virtually eliminating back-pressure .
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Sun2solar Midwest Canvas Clear Diamond
The Sun2Solar Midwest Canvas Solar Cover is the best solar cover for an inground pool for those looking for a budget-friendly option. It offers good heat retention throughout various seasons. This is made from a resin material, and the cover itself is a clear cover.
Unlike many other common solar covers, this uses diamond-shaped bubbles with the claim that with a diamond design you get greater coverage of bubbles to absorb more UV rays. While the low price on this solar pool cover definitely makes it a good value for the ones we evaluated, it did rank low on both ease-of-use as well as durability compared to others.
Next, on our best solar cover for inground pool list, we have this solar cover from Down Under that makes use of a double blue layer technology that aims to give the cover more durability. It features reinforced seams that try to help it fight against wear and wind resistance in spite of the fact that it is very lightweight.
More about the durability, this solar cover is made from vinyl that is UV stabilized to fight of fading from both the sun and the chemicals from the pool. Also, it comes with a decent 3-year warranty. Althought it works well, our biggest issue with the Down Under Blue Solar Cover is that it is often not available to buy and probably not the best choice for someone needing a solar pool cover in a timely manner.
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Smart Pool S601 Pool Solar Heater
This pool heating system is made for inground pools and has the ability to bring the temperature of your pool up by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Strong polypropylene is used in the fabrication of the solar panels that are a part of the Smart Pool S601 Pool Solar Heater. This enables you to boost the temperature of the water in your pool by successfully capturing the free heat that is provided by the sun’s rays.
The solar panel array is this size and has these other dimensions. The dimensions are 4 feet wide by 20 feet long, and it may be installed on inground pools with a surface area of little more than 160 square feet.
You may also acquire their sophisticated Reel system, which is supplied separately, so that you can swiftly apply and remove your solar blanket dependent on your need for the amount of heat produced.
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How To Choose The Correct System
First and foremost, your solar pool heating system will need to play well with your existing pool equipment. Then, the collector has a job to do: meet your water-temperature needs for your desired pool season. Your climate, pool size and particular home environment all factor into the choice of collector and how many you need. Additional personal considerations may include ease of self-installation, portability for an above-ground system and, of course, cost.
We asked Matt Yoder, Director of Growth at the popular online retailer Solar Pool Supply, for insight into some of these crucial aspects of getting the right system. The company sells many of the major brands, and its business model is based on the notion that with adequate instruction and a professional product, consumers can be empowered to do their own solar pool heating installations.
The Bottom Line: What Is The Best Solar Heater For Inground Pools Of 2021
Now that weve gone over all the top options here at Energy Center of the World, and how to figure out how many solar panels you need, all thats left is to choose the perfect model for you, your pool, and your budget.
If youre still unsure of which heater to choose, we highly-recommend our top-rated pick, the Solar Pool Supply Industrial Grade 6-Pack. In short, its tough to go wrong with its high heating efficiency, innovative technology, and easy installation.
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Choosing The Correct Gas Heater For Your Pool And/or Spa
If you and your pool professional have determined that a gas pool heater will work best for your needs, there are still a few more considerations to keep in mind when choosing the appropriate gas pool heater for your pool or spa. Remember, gas pool heaters are complex pieces of equipment. Determining the correct heater for your pool should be done by a licensed pool professional.
Three factors affect how long it takes to heat your pool:
Size and features of pool or spa
The shape and size of your pool affect the time needed to heat your pool or spa and how much energy is required to do so. A British Thermal Unit is the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. To determine how many BTUs are required to heat your pool, you must first figure out the volume of your pool, which a licensed pool professional can help with.
Environmental Conditions
Air temperature, wind, and a number of other environmental factors will figure in to how fast you can heat your pool water. Cooler air temperatures and increased wind have a significant impact on heat loss due to evaporation, necessitating a larger output of energy to heat your pool. Its important to consider typical weather conditions when determining what size pool heater will work best for you.
Size of heater
What Are The Benefits Of A Solar Pool Heater
When it comes to using solar energy to heat your pool there are a number of benefits. Of course, the first benefit is that its eco-friendly. Solar energy is one of the cleanest forms of energy available as it doesnt produce harmful emissions or require the use of limited natural resources. As such, installing a solar pool heater can drastically decrease the carbon footprint of your pool and the energy bills that come with it.
Solar heating systems also require very little maintenance once they are installed. On average, a swimming pool solar heater can last between 15 to 20 years. So, although a solar heater may cost you more upfront, the long-term cost benefits more than makeup for the investment, but well dive into this a bit later.
One of the more unknown benefits of a solar pool heater is that it can extend the swim season of your pool by a few months. In Florida, we benefit from a long swim season, but the average swim season lasts around four months, solar-powered heaters can keep your pool comfortably heated long after the summer heat has gone. Lastly, solar pool heaters are the quietest heaters on the market, so you can enjoy your pool in peace and quiet.
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What Is A Solar Pool Heater And Who This Is For
The top-rated solar pool heaters are always worth it. This item is for anyone who owns a pool and wants to make the most out of this outside source of leisure and activity. Solar pool heaters are highly recommended for homeowners who would like to enjoy their pool and not be disturbed by the noise, additional expenses, and rigorous maintenance. Instead, they want a cost-efficient and environment-friendly process that is simple and reliable. The best ones are the low-key heaters that would just heat the pool when you need it to.
There are so many available choices on the market, and the best solar pool is one that is easy to install and has a quick turnaround in changing the water temperature. It should also be able to help keep the heat longer. You would also want a solar pool heater that requires very minimal to zero maintenance at all and is tailored fit for your pool.
The best solar pool heater should ultimately serve its function and deliver what it is meant to do, which is to warm and heat your pool to your desired temperature in the most efficient way, and that is using the suns solar energy without the need for any intervention from you.
What Are Solar Heaters
Solar heaters are devices that use solar energy to create warm rays or waves in the surrounding area. It uses solar panels to convert the hot rays obtained from the sun to warm the environment.
Solar heaters are the most used heaters in inground pools. As pool owners often find it uncertain to enjoy pools during winters due to the climatic conditions they bring. Hence using solar heaters warm their water using the solar panel, making it easier for them to use pools in winters as well.
Knowing your heater better helps you make a strong choice. Check out our list of various types of heaters below to understand which of the ones proves to be your effective fit.
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Where Are Pool Heaters Installed
Pool heaters can be installed outside or inside of pool sheds and in outdoor enclosures as long as they are correctly vented to allow for necessary air flow around the unit. Each heater on our website has a chart indicating the matching vents which are available for purchase. Never install a heater inside of a residential dwelling unless the unit is specifically designed for residential use indoors. Heat pumps cannot be installed indoors.
Most residential pool heaters are not designed for use in lived in dwellings. Never try to install a pool heater indoors unless it is specifically designed for indoor usage.
Can You Add A Heater To An Existing Inground Pool
Yes, you can add a pool heater to an existing inground pool. The type and size you should add depend on your climate, your swim season, your budget, and how much space you have to install it. While its more difficult to install than with an above ground pool, it is possible. It may just require a professional.
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