Anatomy of a Solar Pool Heater

Learn about the vital components of a solar pool heater and how they impact energy efficiency.

A pool can be a wonderful addition to your home—provided of course you get enjoyment from it. If you only swim in your pool a few months out of the year, you’ll probably find that the costs and hassles of pool maintenance outweigh your enjoyment. Fortunately, there is a simple way to get more enjoyment from your pool: installing a pool heater. Solar pool heaters are a particularly good choice because while they cost about the same to install as a gas or electric heater, they are much less expensive to operate. Plus, some types of solar pool heaters can actually help cool your pool in really hot weather so you get even more enjoyment from your pool.

Here are the key components of a solar pool heater:

• Solar Collector: Naturally you need some way to capture the energy from the sun and transform it into heat for you pool. This is the function of the solar collector. Typically, the solar collector consists of an array of heavy-duty black rubber or plastic panels that will be mounted on top of your roof.
• Filter: A quality filter is essential for making sure debris like leaves and bugs are removed from your pool water. This not only affects your comfort but also helps keep the solar collector from becoming clogged.
• Pump: The pump’s job is to circulate water from the pool up into the solar collector and back down. Even if you already have a pool pump, you may still have to add a separate dedicated pump for this purpose.
• Flow Control Valve: Depending on how precisely you want to control temperatures in your pool, you can opt for an automatic or manual flow control valve. An automatic valve will close once the pool reaches your ideal temperature to prevent overheating, as well as to prevent heat loss through the solar collector at night. With a manual valve you have to remember to adjust the system yourself.

Maximizing Solar Pool Heater Output

The most important factors for ensuring an adequate supply of heat to your pool from a solar system include the size of your solar collector and its orientation. Typically, you can divide the square footage of your pool in half to arrive at the proper size for your collector. To prolong the swimming season even more, you would want a larger collector. You will also need to ensure that the collector gets adequate sun exposure. Studies have shown that you can face the collector up to 45 degrees east or west of due south and achieve roughly the same performance provided there are no trees or buildings blocking the sun.

If you need help selecting a new solar pool heater or servicing your current one, please contact The Stanley Louis Company today.