Solar Pool Heater
A solar pool heater is a great way to extend the use of your pool. Sunny climates can boast up to 10 or 11 months of pool use per year, and colder climates can extend use by several months on either side of pool season by using a solar pool heater. Solar pool heaters do not have to be an eyesore. In fact, there are so many different ways to install a solar pool heater that just about any aesthetic can be reached.
Many schools and gymnasiums are switching to solar heating for a number of reasons. Solar pool heating systems save lots of money, both annually and monthly. They are cheap to install, cheap to maintain, and qualify for many rebates. Plus, the energy used is from the sun, our most abundant resource. There is more than enough energy from the sun to heat even the biggest pool. Even the Olympics use solar heating for their pools. The Olympic Games in Athens, Atlanta and Beijing used behind-the-scenes solar panels to direct the sun’s light and heat their pools.
A solar pool heater is not just for a large pool or a big business or company. They are very affordable, and there are even state and federal rebates which can make a solar pool heater very reasonable. Many people choose to use a solar pool heater in conjunction with a solar pool cover. The truth is; if you have a good heater, you can get equally good results as if you use a lower quality heater with a cover. It is up to you to figure out what works best for you.
A solar pool heater works by removing the water from your pool and flushing it through a collector. While in the collector the water is heated. How does the water get heated? The solar panels on your roof attach to the collector and provide the heat to the collector. Cool water is pumped in the collector, and is pumped back into your pool after it is heated. A solar pool heater alone can keep your pool temperature in the 90s from May through September. When you add a solar pool cover, you can expect temperatures in the 90s from April through October. With pool temperatures that hot, you may need to cool off before getting in the pool!
A pool is a huge investment, and many people spend thousands of dollars to install an electric or gas pool heater because they want more use of their pool. This cost thousands up front and thousands of dollars more a year in utility bills. Also, maintenance on a gas or electric heater can be expensive, and there are no rebates from the government for having one of these types of heaters. A solar pool heater will pay for itself in no time. With 30-40 percent back in rebates and tax breaks from the federal government, on top of rebates that various states offer, the expense of installing a solar pool heater is minimal. Not only that, but a solar pool heater will not cost you anything per month, since it runs with energy from the sun, not from your power company.