Nothing is worse than diving into your pool for your morning laps to find the water is frigid. But the amount of energy required to consistently heat your pool has long been a concern for people, especially for homeowners worried about their home’s energy footprint.
Now, solar pool heaters are offering an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly way to keep your pool at a comfortable temperature three seasons of the year.
In this post, we will discuss the benefits of solar pool heating, how it works, and why it might be right for you.
How Does Solar Pool Heating Work?
At the most basic level, solar heating works by pumping your pool water through a solar collector, which is a special device that is designed to allow your pool water to directly absorb the heat of the sun.
Unlike traditional solar panels, the collected heat isn’t being converted into electrical energy; rather, it is being directly transferred to the water raising the pool’s temperature. The systems use a special solar controller that monitors the pools temperature and the solar temperature to open and close a valve sending water to and from the roof. The controller is otherwise just like the thermostat in your home, you set it to the desired temperature and the system comes on at the right times during the day to give you a comfortable pool to swim.
Is It Effective?
These systems are at least as effective as the two other main types of pool heating systems: gas and electric heat pumps. Additionally, these systems can work continuously without draining your electricity or gas bill. That means that when you are ready for a swim, there is no agonizing choice whether to wait for the water to heat up, which could take hours, or jump into an icy pool. Instead, you can rely on even, consistent heating.
But solar pool heating offers a secondary benefit. During the brutal onslaught of an Arizona summer, sometimes a cooler pool is a desirable thing. In that case, you can choose to run your solar pool heater at night. This heating system gives you better control over your pool’s temperature, which means your pool can be an oasis on a summer scorcher.
How Long Do They Last?
The average solar water heater lasts roughly 20 years or longer. Many will even be covered under a 12-15 year warranty. Gas heaters, on the other hand, tend to max out around a decade. That means you are guaranteed better longevity with a solar pool heating system. When combined with traditional solar panels, you can set up your home for energy efficiency for many years to come.
Pool heating has long been a dilemma for the environmentally conscious. Now, there is an environmentally friendly alternative that not only works better but lasts longer than the alternatives. If you are going to have a pool, why not make it so you can use it more?
