By installing solar panels to heat your pool, you can potentially use your pool anytime, or at least enjoy it for a larger portion of the year-not to mention all the energy saved and greenhouse gas emissions prevented by not using a traditional gas powered pool heater. Pool solar systems aren't as expensive as you might think. Let's take a look at how they work and why they might be a good option for your pool.
How Swimming Pool Solar Panels Work
Swimming pool solar panels work differently than the photovoltaic panels used to power your home. Simply set the temperature at which you'd like the water, and it's regulated by a sensor. A pump filters the water and sends it through the solar collectors, which heat the water as it travels through the array. Warm water is diverted back to your pool.
Types of Panels
There are two main types of pool solar panels:
1. Unglazed - made of heavy rubber or plastic and are sufficient for use above freezing temperatures.
2. Glazed - contain copper tubing and an aluminum plate with tempered glass covering; more efficient than unglazed and can be used year-round.
Use a solar pool calculator to determine how many panels you need.
The Importance of Pool Covers
While solar panels allow you to save energy while heating your pool, that heat can easily escape. That's why it's so important to use a pool cover in conjunction with your solar panel system. Keep a pool cover in place whenever you are not using your pool, and especially overnight. Not using a pool cover is like running your heater with the windows open in the winter.
Cost and Maintenance
The cost of swimming pool solar panels varies depending on your geographic location, the size of your pool and its orientation. Generally, a system costs around $3,000 to $4,000, and the payback period can run anywhere from a couple years up to seven years. Some states as well as the federal government may offer tax incentives for installing panels, up to 30% of their initial cost.
The average swimming pool solar panel will last between 15 and 20 years. Following the payback period, operational costs are almost non-existent and the panels are very low maintenance, though they should be shut off and drained during the winter to prevent damage from freezing.
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