How Long Should You Let a Solar Pool Heater Run?
There’s a long list of advantages to installing a solar pool heater versus other options. That said, because this is a relatively new technology, it’s common to have questions about using it. The good news is that The Stanley Louis Company is always here to help answer your questions. Just give us a call at 800-217-6527. To learn more about when and how long you should run a residential or commercial solar pool heater, keep reading!
Start with the basics and then fine tune your experience
The first thing you should know is that there isn’t a formula that works for every pool. A lot will depend on your particular setup along with your personal preferences. That said, we can provide you with some basic guidelines to get started. Then simply adjust based on what works for you and your pool.
Make sure it’s easy to monitor your system’s performance
First and foremost, you’ll need a thermometer in your pool. Make sure it’s easily accessible when outside of the water so that you can check it frequently. This is necessary to monitor the actual performance of your system.
Don’t run your solar pool heater if the conditions aren’t right
It’s not a good idea to run your pool heater when the conditions aren’t right. For example, an overcast day or a day with lots of rain. Days in the winter with more darkness then light aren’t always a good time to run them either. Remember that anything that cools down your pool will require your heater to work that much harder.
Generally speaking you should run your panels throughout the sunniest part of the day
The most basic advice is to simply run your solar panels during the sunniest time of the day. This actually means not just when the sun is out, but when the sun is directly hitting your panels. This may in fact be during a time of day when the rest of your home isn’t getting much sun at all.
The flow rate is extremely important
The flow rate at which the sun goes through the panels is important. You’re looking for a result that’s low and slow. This will help prevent stripping the heat out too fast. It’s true that slower water will absorb enough heat to warm it, but remember that it will also allow the panels to keep reheating themselves, which is the most energy efficient option.
On the flip side, if you allow water to move quickly through your pipes, especially if that water is cool, then all the heat is going to be taken out in the first minute. This doesn’t allow your solar panels to reabsorb enough heat to catch up, which lowers overall performance.
Check the specs on your unit
Depending on the specific model of your solar pool heater, there may actually be specs with preferred GMP flow rate. If you don’t have a flow meter, just estimate or give us a call at 800-217-6527 so we can come out and assess your needs.
