Heat Your Pool With The Power Of The Sun
Posted: 2:17 pm EDT April 17, 2009Updated: 2:28 pm EDT April 17, 2009
Solar Pool Heating
Why Solar Pool Heating?
When people think of Florida they have a vision of palm trees, uncrowded beaches and a refreshing dip in a swimming pool. That’s especially true during the sweltering months of summer. But hundreds of thousands of Florida pool owners don’t necessarily want
to limit their pool use to summer. Many prefer to swim all year long and take advantage of the state’s abundant sunshine, using solar energy to warm their pool. An unheated pool usually matches the average outdoor temperature, so winter temperatures cause pool water to get chilly. Solar energy solves this problem by keeping your pool between 78° and 82° from Fall through Spring.
It’s All About Economics.
Heating a pool with gas or electricity is a luxury few can afford, because the average swimming pool holds about 15,000 gallons of water. Installing a pool solar heating system typically costs the same as installing the most efficient electric system – a heat pump. Because there are no additional monthly utility bills with a solar system though, it’s obvious that solar is the best choice. And, although regular maintenance of a pool and its filtration system are important, a solar pool heating system requires no special maintenance. Another plus – solar pool heaters are exempt from sales tax in Florida,
an advantage not enjoyed by their fossil fueled counterparts.
Who Can Install My Heater?
A solar pool heater must be installed by a licensed contractor authorized by the state to perform such work. Call solar dealers and compare prices, efficiency, service options and warranties. Ask the dealer for the names of families who use solar pool heating, and talk to them about how their systems work. Also, get a written estimate. The Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA) maintains a listing of contractors on their website, www.flaseia.org. FlaSEIA also adopted a strict Code of Ethics to which members must subscribe.
How Does a Solar Heater Work?
You see the power of solar energy every time you use a garden hose that has been lying in the sun. As the hose bakes in the heat, it absorbs the sun’s energy which heats the water inside the hose. In short, the hose acts as a solar collector. When you use solar energy to heat your pool, solar collectors on your roof warm the pool water in the same way. Your solar pool heating system requires no separate storage tanks for warm water because the pool itself acts as the storage tank. In most cases, the pool’s filtration pump is adequate to force the pool’s water through the solar panels, warming it and returning it to the pool. This process is repeated throughout the day.
Florida Solar Energy Research & Education Foundation
1-800-59-SOLAR • www.askaboutsolar.com
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