Swimming Pool & Sauna Solar Heating

Using solar water heaters to heat swimming pools and spas is cost-effective. Payback can be as low as 2 years, and utility bills are much lower than they would be using a conventional heating system. And because the fuel (solar energy) is free, you are cushioned from future fuel shortages and price increases.

The pool's existing filtration system pumps water through the solar collectors, and the collected heat is transferred into the pool. Because solar pool heating collectors operate just slightly warmer than the surrounding air temperature, these systems typically use inexpensive, unglazed, low-temperature collectors made from specially formulated plastic materials. Glazed (glass-covered) solar collectors usually are not used in pool-heating applications, except for indoor pools, hot tubs, or spas in colder climates. In some cases, unglazed copper or copper-aluminum solar collectors are used.

Off-the-shelf packages are generally appropriate, and maintenance of solar pool heating systems is minimal. The systems are pre-engineered, and can be sized for any pool by adding additional solar panels for an adequate solar collector area.

The only moving part on a solar pool heating system is the diverting valve. This valve controls whether the water circulates through the collector loop. When the collector temperature is sufficiently greater than the pool temperature, the water is diverted from the filter systems through the collector loop. The water bypasses the solar collectors during nighttime or cloudy periods. Some smaller systems are operated manually or with timers, but larger systems are operated by electronic sensors and controls.

Adding a swimming pool cover will further enhance the temperature of a swimming pool, and should be considered along with the solar pool heating system to prevent loss of heat to the atmosphere.