If you’re searching for a pool heating system that can also help reduce or even avoid excessive energy bills altogether, you’ve come to the right place. Solar pool heating systems use the sun’s heat to warm and heat your pool water for no cost! And, given we don’t seem to run out of the sun’s warmth here in Australia, it could be a good idea to give solar pool heating serious consideration.
WHAT MAKES SOLAR HEATERS WORK
We must first examine the major components of any solar pool heating system to know and comprehend how solar pool heaters work. Most pool heating systems will include the following:
- A solar collector: This is simply an area through which water is pumped so that the sun’s rays can heat it.
- A pool filter: If you already have a pool, you’ll most likely have one.
- A pool pump: You’ll probably have one of these too.
- Flow control valves: These can be completely automated or as basic as a three-way valve for diverting water flow to and from your solar heating system.
FOLLOWING THE WATER’S FLOW
A solar pool heater is similar to any other pool heater in that it is installed at the end of your pool’s filtration and pumping system. The primary distinction is that the solar collector is placed to receive direct sunlight for as many hours as possible during the day. Before returning to the pool, the water will be pushed via the solar collector.
The water temperature in the solar collector is compared to the water temperature in the pool by automatic flow valves. The valve will automatically send the water through the collector to warm it up if the pool water is cooler than the collection water. You might be wondering why this is necessary and why not simply run the water through the collection all of the time.
The simple answer is that the water in the collector may be substantially cooler than the water in your pool at times (such as during a dark day or at night), meaning if you run water through it, this will cool down your pool.
A perfect example of this is having a pool cover and leaving the pool pump running overnight to turn the water over or as part of your pool maintenance routine. If the water is directed through the cool night air, it will defeat the purpose of your pool cover trying to keep the heat in.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Solar pool heaters have no set price because each system is customised to the size of the pool. Warming up an average-sized Australian pool will likely cost between $5000-$8000. While this may appear to be a bit pricey, consider that solar pool heaters are entirely free to operate. For the life of your solar pool heater, you receive free pool heating. They also last a long time because they don’t have any moving parts.
SOLAR POOL HEATERS ARE MAINTENANCE FREE
As we mentioned before, solar pool heaters have no moving parts, hence require no maintenance. There’s no need to be concerned about burned-out heating elements or other issues that typical pool heating systems bring to the table. We only have to be concerned about physical damage from anything hitting the solar collectors (such as branches or other debris during storms), but these are rare occurrences.
