Questions & Answers

Ask about solar today ...
By now you've probably heard a lot about solar energy and what it can and can't do. But did you realize that the most effective use of solar energy is to heat a swimming pool? According to government tallies, more solar collectors have been made for swimming pool heating than all other uses combined! With all that you've been reading and hearing about solar energy, you probably have a lot of questions. The following may answer some of them for you.

Why would I want my pool heated?

You probably bought your pool for many reasons like family fun, entertaining friends, exercise, those quiet relaxing moments, or perhaps even for therapeutic reasons. You spent a lot of time making the decision to invest in a quality pool, furniture, fencing and accompanying items that go along with a pool. You are therefore expecting to get the most use out of your pool. But if your pool is frequently too cold to swim in comfortably, you are not realizing the full benefit of your significant investment. Solar pool heating can effectively double the length of your pool season.

What about the environment?

Solar pool heating is friendly to the environment. Solar is clean and uses no fossil fuels or chemical refrigerants which may contribute to air pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion or the "greenhouse effect".

How well does solar energy heat a pool?

Solar energy is just another fuel with which to heat your pool. A properly designed solar pool system can achieve the same results as other fuels. On days when you can relax comfortably in a bathing suit at poolside, but the water is too cold for swimming, solar energy can heat your pool to a temperature comfortable for swimming.

How does solar compare with heat pumps for pool heating?

The cost of installing an electric heat pump is generally comparable to the cost of a solar heating system. The annual cost of electricity to run a heat pump is approximately 1/4 the cost of liquid propane gas or 1/5 of the cost of electricity for a conventional electric resistance heater; but the sun's energy is free. Also remember, a heat pump has a refrigeration system with a fan motor and a compressor. When these mechanical parts eventually wear out they are expensive to replace. However, in the unlikely event that your pool is one of the few on which a solar system cannot be installed, a heat pump may be your best alternative.

What is the best type of collector to use?

Unlike other solar pool heating systems that use tubes welded to each other or loose tubes, the Solar Industries collector uses a patented tube and curved web design that relieves stress caused by expansion and contraction. Solar Industries collectors are engineered with a direct flow system to provide optimum flow without restrictions that can cause excessive back pressure on your pool filtration system. Other collectors that use a sub-plenum create back pressure that reduces your filtration system performance. Our proven design has been in continuous operation for more than 25 years, making Solar Industries the number one choice of satisfied swimming pool owners around the world.

Is a pool heating system easy to operate?

Yes, most solar systems are completely automatic and are as simple to operate as any fossil fuel heater.

How much will a solar pool heater cost?

The monthly payments on a solar pool heating system will be much less than the monthly charges for fuel to the same amount of heating. In other words, you have an instantaneous "payback". After the system has been paid off, it will pay large dividends to you, each and every year, in the forms of cash and added comfort. Remember, if you didn't have a solar heater, you would have a large fuel bill. Since you don't have that fuel bill, the money can now be used for other purposes. Even if you aren't presently heating your pool, a solar heater can provide you with economic benefits. The financial equation is simple : increase the investment in your pool by aproxximately 10% to 15% and increase your fun, enjoyment, and swimming season by as much as 100%.

In simple terms, how does a solar pool heating system work?

Using the pump that circulates pool water through the filter, the water is diverted so that it flows through the many passages of the solar collector. While passing through the collectors, the pool water is warmed by the sun. This warm water then flows directly back into the pool. When the pool has reached your desired comfort level, the water then by-passes the solar collectors and returns directly to the pool.

What kind of maintenance is required?

Your solar pool heater will require virtually no maintenance beyond your usual pool maintenance procedures.

How much will my heater cost to operate?

Since the sun's energy is free, there are no operating costs to heat your pool with a solar pool heater.

What size system will I need for my pool?

There are many factors which affect this answer. These include : the size of the pool; how long you want to extend your comfortable swimming season; the wind on the pool; the average relative humidity in your area; and the tilt and orientation of the solar collectors. The solar installer will use this to design the proper solar collection system for your pool.

Do the solar collectors have to face south?

Not necessarily. The solar collectors should just be installed where they can be in the sun a good portion of the day. Depending on the angle of the mounting surface, east and west facing systems can function equally as well.

Can these collectors also be used to heat a spa?

Yes. However, unlike a pool heater, if you plan to use your spa in the evening, you will require a backup gas or electric heater. This backup heater will only have to pick up the last few degrees so it will operate a lot less than it would without solar, and that means that you save a lot of fuel dollars.