If you’re searching for a strategy to cut your pool heating costs (or eliminate them completely! ), you’ve come to the perfect spot! Solar pool heaters use the sun’s heat to warm and heat our pool water without cost. And because the sun’s heat is something we never seem to lack in Australia, it may be prudent to give solar pool heating significant thought.
How Do Solar Pool Heaters Work?
To properly comprehend and appreciate how solar pool heaters function, we must first examine the essential components of any solar heating system.
A solar collector is the region through which water is circulated so that it may be heated by the sun’s rays.
A filter – if you already have a pool, you undoubtedly have a filter on hand.
Indeed, you already own a pool pump.
Flow control valves – These may be completely automated or as basic as a three-way valve used to redirect water to and from your solar heating system.
Following The Water’s Flow
A solar pool heater is similar to any other pool warmer in that it is positioned at the end of your pool’s filtration and pumping system. The primary distinction is that the solar collector will be positioned where it will get the most direct sunlight exposure. The water will be pushed through the solar collector before being returned to the swimming pool.
Automatic flow valves function by comparing the water temperatures in the solar collector and the pool. If the pool water is colder than the collector’s water, the valve will automatically direct the pool water through the collector to reheat it. You may be wondering why this is necessary and why you can’t simply continuously pour water through the collector.
There may be instances (such as during a dark day or at night) when the water in the collector is substantially colder than the water in your pool, effectively cooling your pool if you run water through it! Makes sense right?
If you have a pool cover and leave the pool pump running overnight to circulate the water or as part of your pool maintenance routine, this is a concrete example. It would undermine the aim of your pool cover to preserve heat if the water were directed through the chilly or frigid night air, wouldn’t it?
Different Types Of Solar Pool Collectors
Solar collectors come in two varieties: glazed and unglazed. Unglazed solar collectors are essentially identical to rubber tubes that include UV inhibitors to prevent deterioration from prolonged sunshine exposure. They are quite affordable and may be used to gently heat the pool throughout the summer.
What is pool heating priced at?
Solar pool heaters do not have a set price since each system is customised to the size of the pool. A general estimate for the cost of heating a pool of typical size in Australia is between $3,000 and $5,000. Despite the fact that this may seem a little pricey, solar pool heaters are completely free to operate! That’s free pool heating for as long as your solar pool heater lasts! And since there are no moving components, they are very durable!
Solar Pool Heaters Require No Upkeep
As previously indicated, because solar pool heaters include no moving components, it follows that they need no maintenance. No more worrying about heating components that have burned out and other issues that conventional pool heating systems provide. The only thing we have to worry about is real physical damage from items striking the solar collectors (such as branches or other debris during storms), but these instances are rare and will occur regardless of whether you have a solar pool heater.
With some smart piping and valve work, the input and output of solar pool heaters may be routed to heat and warm your interior water supply throughout the winter if your pool is closed. With just a few manually operated valves in the proper positions, you can enjoy free indoor water heating!
I have a pool heater already
Even if you already have a pool heating system, is it still a smart idea to have a solar pool heater installed? If your money permits it, then definitely! Why? Having a solar pool heater that heats the pool for free might significantly lower the expense of operating your current pool heater! How? Essentially, with a solar pool heater, you will only switch on your current pool heater if the weather is really cold and you want more heating power to get your pool to a reasonable temperature for swimming. If you combine it with an energy-efficient pool heat pump, such as those from Madimack, your pool heating costs will be nearly nonexistent! Excellent, right?
Pumps with variable speeds with solar pool heaters equals profit
To optimise the heating capability of solar pool heaters, it is recommended to combine them with a variable-speed pump that can operate continuously without breaking the bank. Not only will your pool water be heated continuously, but it will also be filtered continuously! Consequently resulting in cleaner, clearer pool water!
