#Pool control panel mount on plate install
#Pool control panel mount on plate manual

In cooler and cloudier areas, you may need to increase the ratio between the collector area and the pool surface area. Solar system contractors use worksheets and computer programs to help determine system requirements and collector sizing.īasically, the surface area of your solar collector should equal 50%–100% of the surface area of your pool. Sizing a solar swimming pool heating system involves many factors: Your local solar system supplier or installer can perform a solar site analysis. Basically, if your building site has unshaded areas and generally faces south, it's a good candidate for a solar pool heating system. Therefore, even if you don't live in a climate that's warm and sunny most of the time - like the southwestern United States - your site still might have an adequate solar resource. Solar pool heating systems use both direct and diffuse solar radiation. The efficiency and design of a solar pool heater depends on how much of the sun's energy reaches your building site.

#Pool control panel mount on plate install

Investigate local codes, covenants, and regulations.īefore you buy and install a solar pool heating system, you first need to consider your site's solar resource.Determine the correct orientation and tilt for the collector.Therefore, before you purchase and install a solar pool heating system, you should do the following:

Your actual cost and payback depend on many factors.

They also typically last longer than gas and heat pump pool heaters. This provides a payback of between 1 and 7 years, depending on your local fuel costs and available solar resource. Selecting a Solar Pool HeaterĪ solar pool heating system usually costs between $2,500 and $4,000 to buy and install.

Glazed collectors also can be used to heat domestic hot water year-round.īoth glazed and unglazed collector systems must include freeze protection if they'll be used in colder conditions. Therefore, they can be used year-round in many climates. In colder weather, glazed collector systems-with heat exchangers and transfer fluids-capture solar heat more efficiently than unglazed systems. Glazed collector systems are generally made of copper tubing on an aluminum plate with an iron-tempered glass covering, which increases their cost. Even if you have to shut the system down during cold weather, unglazed collectors may be more cost effective than installing a more expensive glazed collector system. These unglazed systems can even work for indoor pools in cold climates if the system is designed to drain back to the pool when not in use. Because of their inexpensive parts and simple design, unglazed collectors are usually less expensive than glazed collectors. They are generally made of heavy-duty rubber or plastic treated with an ultraviolet (UV) light inhibitor to extend the life of the panels. Unglazed collectors don't include a glass covering (glazing). If you'll only be using your pool when temperatures are above freezing, then you'll probably only need an unglazed collector system. The type you'll need depends on your climate and how you intend to use the collector. Solar pool collectors are made out of different materials. When the collector temperature is similar to the pool temperature, filtered water simply bypasses the collector(s) and is returned to the pool.

#Pool control panel mount on plate manual

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. 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. 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.

A flow control valve - automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

A pump - circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool.

A filter - removes debris before water is pumped through the collector.

A solar collector - the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun.

Most solar pool heating systems include the following: Actually, solar pool heating is one of the most cost-effective use of solar energy in some climates.

They're cost competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater.