Swimming pool heating costs, at times, are anything but inexpensive. And to truly experience all of the benefits you get when having a swimming pool, you want to keep the water at an optimal temperature, no matter the season. 

Those seeking a better alternative to gas and heat pump pool heaters can find it in solar pool heaters. Heating your pool with solar panels can be one of the best investments, as the solar heaters for pools are cost-efficient and do a great job at keeping your water at a temperature to your liking. And in the end, what is a swimming pool if the water is not at an adequate temperature and you can’t enjoy it properly? 

If you wish to enjoy your water oasis as intended, you must take care of it adequately. Keep reading if you want to learn more about drastically reducing heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. The experts from Florida Pool Patio will answer all your questions regarding this topic. 

How Solar-Powered Pool Heaters Work

Aerial View of a New Autonomous House With Solar Panels and Water Heating Radiators on the Roof and Green Yard With Blue Swimming Pool.

A solar heater for a pool has a specific way of working and heating the water. And the easiest way to describe it is this – the water from your pool goes through a filter to the solar collector in which it is heated. Once the water is heated enough, it goes back to the pool. 

The best part of this system is that you can even use it to cool the water during summertime if you live in a warmer climate. Using a heater like this may sound strange, but you can thank the collector for cooling purposes. Namely, the water circulates through the collector at night, making it cooler.  

A standard solar pool heater consists of the following:

  • A solar collector is a specific machine that collects the water later on heated by the sun or cooled down during the night. 
  • The filter is essential for removing debris and dirt before the water goes to the collector. 
  • The pump is responsible for circulating the water from the pool through the filter and collector and back into the pool. 
  • The flow control valve is a device responsible for diverting the water through the collector; it can be automatic or manual. The diverting happens if the water is warm enough, so it goes straight back to the pool once it is filtered.

How to Choose the Best Solar-Powered Pool Heater

You can choose from many solar pool heaters as the market offers many types. But which one is the best one for you and your needs?

Before deciding which solar-powered pool heater you’ll use, you first need to estimate the solar resource or the amount of sun your place gets. You should know that these heating systems use both direct and indirect solar radiation so that you can use them even in cooler climates. 

Depending on the size of your pool, you also need to consider the appropriate-sized solar pool heater. You should also decide on the perfect position to place the collector in so it gets enough sun. 

Another important thing you shouldn’t overlook involves the local regulations and codes. 

Finding the Perfect Size

When deciding on a solar-powered pool heater, you need to pay attention to the size of your pool. You would not want to find yourself in a situation where you spent money on a solar pool heater that’s not suitable for your pool. 

When choosing the perfect size of solar heater for the pool and your ideal match, you must consider the following:

  • The size of the pool
  • The length of the swimming season
  • The number of solar resources, both direct and indirect
  • The average temperature in given seasons 
  • The orientation of the collector and its tilt

If you live in Florida, the size of the solar collector should be at least 50 to 100 percent of the size of your pool. However, if the area you live in is much cooler than Florida, the surface must be more significant than the size of the pool. In this case, having a big solar collector will ensure a longer swimming season. 

Finding the Perfect Placement

When it comes to placement, the best spot to install a solar collector is on the roof of your house. And the exact location and orientation need to provide proper sun exposure. Also, it’s important to notice anything that can come in between the panels and the sun, such as trees and other landscape features.

Proper tilting should not be ignored, either. If you plan to use this system only during summertime, you’ll get the best outcome if the collectors are tilted to your latitude minus 10 to 15 degrees. And if you seek to enjoy your pool more than just during summer, you should tilt the panels at an angle that equals your latitude.

Suppose you don’t know how to determine any of this, or you are struggling with maintaining information about your local laws and codes. In that case, the best thing is to hire a team of professionals to help you decide on the best possible solar pool heater and help you with the installation process. Professional solar-powered pool heater installers will know where to put the collector and how to tilt it so it catches the most solar energy and brings you the most benefits while heating your pool with solar panels.

The Benefits of Having a Solar Heater for Pool

Two Renewable Energy Technologies On Residential Roof Solar PV And Passive Solar Pool Heater

Heating the pool with solar panels can be game-changing for you and your family due to this system’s many benefits. 

So, here are the most noticeable benefits:

  • Cost-efficient, with returns of between 1 to 7 years after installation 
  • It can run smoothly from 10 to 20 years, depending on the model and installation
  • Longer lasting than gas and heat pump heaters
  • Sustainable and eco-friendly heating
  • It can also be used to cool down the water during the night

Final Words

Now that you know almost everything about this heating system, it is up to you to decide whether you’d like to cut your costs significantly and forget about gas and heat pump systems. If you think you’ll be at an advantage from having a heating system like this, there’s no need to think about it more. 

As we explained all the perks and benefits of this system, the only advice we can give you is to always make a good plan before a big project like this one. And a bulletproof installation plan includes hiring a respectable company with years of experience in this line of work.

You are lucky, as Florida Pool Patio is the best pool company in Miami, with a team of experienced and licensed professionals that can make all of your wishes come true. If you have any questions regarding this topic, contact us today.