Solar Heating for Pools

Many people spend a lot of time and money installing a pool, only to be disappointed with how cold the water is. This is a huge deterrent from using the pool, and can be extremely disheartening. Even more disheartening is what people discover when they look into heating their pools, and that is the high cost to do so.

Electric and gas heating systems cost consumers thousands of dollars per year in utility costs. In addition to the monthly costs, electric and gas pool heaters are pricey units that require professional installation and permits, especially if connecting to a gas line. These permits also cost money.

Solar heating for pools is an alternative more and more people are turning to once they learn the advantages. Solar heating is cheaper to install, and free to run, since the most abundant natural resource is where the power comes from.

There are a few different ways to take advantage of solar heating for pools. There are solar pool covers and blankets, solar sun rings, liquid solar pool covers and complete solar heating systems. Some of the more in-depth systems can be easily installed by a professional, but there are even some options for solar pool heating systems that you can make yourself by following simple instructions.

Solar pool covers and blankets

Evaporation is one of the biggest culprits for cooling down water. As air flows over the pool, water rises up and leaves the pool. With less water in the pool, the pool water cools down. The trick is to keep the water warm and in the pool, and for this, a solar pool cover or blanket works great. A solar pool cover or blanket will use the rays of the sun to heat the water, and then keep the warmed water from evaporating.

Solar sun rings

Solar sun rings are a little easier to throw in the pool than a solar pool cover or blanket. They can be easily laid out in the pool by an individual, whereas a solar pool cover or solar blanket will need two people or a reel for the best distribution. These rings attach to one another with magnets. The downside is they will still allow some water to escape through evaporation, and they are not as good at keeping out debris.

Liquid solar pool covers

Liquid solar pool covers are another option for solar heating for pools. They are made from biodegradable materials and stay on the pool 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These formulas can be pricey, running around $200 for a gallon of really quality stuff that will work well. This solar pool heating option does a decent job of providing a layer of UV protection on the water and heating the top layer of the pool, but does not keep out debris. Luckily, this option is easy, just pour in the pool and it’s ready!

Solar heating systems

Solar heating for pools has come a long way, and solar heating systems run the gamut from very advanced and hooked into the main pool line and connected to rooftop solar panels, to basic with a conductor and solar panel system attached right outside the pool and built by hand. These systems are much cheaper to install than a gas or electric system, and keep users “off the grid,” which means that there are no monthly charges to run a solar heating for pools system.

There are many different ways to heat a pool and make this investment last many more months out of the year. A solar pool heating system is the best way to get the most bang for your buck.