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Frequently asked questions
Why heat my pool?
You have a significant amount of money invested in your pool and every month
you invest more in the way of chemicals, maintenance and electricity for the
filter pump. By heating your pool, you will realize the full benefit of pool
ownership and maximize your investment. You bought your pool for reasons like
family fun, entertaining, exercise or just those quiet relaxing moments floating
around in your pool. By heating your pool, you will spend more time enjoying
it.
What type of heater?
Both propane and natural gas heaters normally have the lowest cost of installation
but the highest cost of operation. Gas heaters have a useful life of 5-8 years.
Heat pumps work on the same principle as air conditioners using electric motors,
a compressor and refrigerant. The initial cost of installation is more than
that of a gas heater, but the cost of operation is 60% to 70% less than that
of a gas heater. Heat pumps have a life expectancy of 8-12 years. On those
occasions when solar is not feasible, a heat pump may be your best alternative.
Generally the cost of installing a solar pool heating system is comparable
to that of a heat pump. Since a solar system uses the sun's free energy, there
is not cost of operation. A properly installed quality solar pool heating
system will provide FREE solar heat for 10-15 years.
How will solar energy heat my pool?
Solar energy is just another form of fuel used to heat your pool. A properly
sized solar pool heating system can more than double your swim season. Using
solar energy to heat pools is not a new idea. Hundreds of thousands of pool
owners have been enjoying their solar heated pools for more than 30 years.
Is a solar pool heating system simple to
operate?
Yes. Most systems are completely automatic and are as easy to operate as any
fossil fuel heater.
What about the environment?
Gas heaters directly add pollutants into the air. Heat pumps pollute indirectly
as a result of pollution created in the production of the electricity used.
Solar pool heating is environmentally friendly. Solar is clean renewable energy
source and uses no fossil fuels, which contribute to pollution.
Do the solar collectors have to face south?
Not necessarily. The solar collectors should be installed where they can be
in the sun for a good portion of the day. Depending on the angle of the mounting
surface, east, west and flat facing systems can function equally as well if
sized properly for the pool.
Do the solar collectors have to be mounted
on the roof?
Generally the solar collectors are mounted on the roof however, the collectors
can be ground mounted or installed on support racks to position the collector
orientation toward south.
What size solar heating system will I need
to heat my pool?
There are many factors, which affect this answer. The three most important
factors are the size of your pool, the tilt and orientation of the solar collectors
and the efficiency of the solar collector you choose. Other factors include
how long you want to extend your swimming season, the wind across the pool
and whether a pool cover is used.
How does a solar pool heater work?
A solar heating system uses the existing filter pump to circulate the water.
A diverter valve is installed just down stream of the filter. It diverts the
water so that it flows through the many small passages of the solar collector
where it is warmed by the sun. This warm water then flows back to the pool
until the pool has reached the desired comfort level. The water then bypasses
the solar collectors and returns directly to the pool. All the solar system
plumbing is installed at the pool equipment and uses the existing returns
to the pool.
How do I control the temperature of
my solar heated pool?
Two ways, a manual diverter valve allows you to turn your solar system on
or off depending on whether you want to heat you pool. Another option is an
automatic solar control. This works similar to the thermostat you have for
your home heating & cooling. This simply sets the thermostat dial on the
electronic controller to the desired water temperature. The electronic controller
compares the temperatures of your solar system with your pool or spa, the
controller turns the motorized valve to allow the pool or spa water to flow
through the solar system to absorb the heat. When the pool or spa water reaches
approximately the same temperature as the solar system, the controller turns
the valve again so the pool or spa water will no longer flow through the solar
system.
Will I need a pool cover?
Pools loose energy or heat in a variety of ways, however surface evaporation
is by far the largest source of heat loss (approximately 75%) using a pool
cover is the single most effective way of reducing pool heat loss and retaining
the heat in your pool. The least expensive way to maintain a warmer pool is
to use a "bubble" type cover. The cover is cut to the shape of your pool and
lays on the surface of the pool. The cover effectively stops heat losses associated
with the colder months especially nighttime heat loss, when surface evaporation
would otherwise cool the pool down. A pool cover allows your pool to stay
at a warmer temperature and reduces your operating costs associated with heating
the pool. In addition it reduces water and chemical loss associated with pool
surface evaporation and helps to keep the pool cleaner by preventing dirt
and other debris from entering the pool.
How are heat pumps rated for efficiency and performance?
Pool/Spa heat pumps are rated by B.T.U. output and coefficient of performance
(C.O.P.).
B.T.U. (British Thermal Units) is the measured amount of heat output that
the unit will produce. C.O.P. (coefficient of performance) is the measure
of efficiency. Just like other heating options, heat pumps can have low BTU
outputs or high BTU outputs. Naturally a higher BTU output is better. The
C.O.P.'s can range from 3.0-7.0. What this means is that for every unit of
electricity that you put in to run the compressor, you get 3-7 units of heat
out of the heat pump. The higher the number the more efficient the heat pump.
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