Solar Swimming Pool Heaters
You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. They're cost competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. Actually, solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates.
Most solar pool heating systems include the following:
- A solar collector — the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun;
- A filter — removes debris before water is pumped through the collector;
- A pump — circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool;
- A flow control valve — automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector;
Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector(s), where it is heated before it is returned to the pool. In hot climates, the collector(s) can also be used to cool the pool during peak summer months by circulating the water through the collector(s) at night.
Some systems include sensors and an automatic or manual valve to divert water through the collector(s) when the collector temperature is sufficiently greater than the pool temperature. When the collector temperature is similar to the pool temperature, filtered water simply bypasses the collector(s) and is returned to the pool.