Solar pool heaters
To help you make your decision as to whether or not solar pool heaters are right for you, and to help you install one, here are some tips:
• Pumps – If your pool already has a filter pump keeping it clean, you are not going to need a new pump. Your current pump should be sufficient enough to circulate pool water through the solar panels.
• Cooling – Many solar pool heaters can actually cool your water during the hot summer months. Instead of circulating water into the collectors during the day when the sun is hot and the water is heated, they can be turned on to circulate water through the collectors during the night, and the water will be cooled.
• Gas heater – If you want to ensure that you can have a warm pool for as many days of the year as possible, consider having a gas heater for back up. On a rainy day, heavily overcast day, and during the winter months, a solar heater cannot keep the temperature high.
• Location – for a solar heater to be most effective, the collectors must be placed somewhere where they will receive a lot of sun. Note that an array of solar collectors can take up a lot of space. Make sure that you have the space for them. They can be placed on the ground (at an angle). If they are placed on a pitched roof, ensure that they are facing south to get the most advantage of the sun.
• Size – Size varies with the area of the pool, the temperature desired, shading, the direction the collectors face, the angle the collectors are at, etc. In general, a collector will be about 60% of the surface area of the pool.
• Tax credits – while the federal government does not offer a tax credit for installing a using solar pool heaters, some states do offer tax credits and/or other incentives. Find out if your state does! Go to dsireusa.org for more information.