Solar Pool Heaters

Solar Pool Heater

Why not use solar power to heat your swimming pool.  By using a solar pool heater you and your family are able to enjoy your swimming pool, Jacuzzi or your spa for a good part of the year.

This article will discuss four of the best and economical way to heat your pool, spa or Jacuzzi with solar power by using a solar pool heater.

Not only is using this solar solution the greenest but it is also the best.  It is very inexpensive to run and you don’t add any gas emissions.   You can keep your pool, spa or Jacuzzi warm while saving money and being green.

Typically a normal electric pool heater can cost upwards of $2500 to run throughout the year.  Building your own solar pool heater will cost you less than this, which means it has paid for itself in one season.

A solar pool heater runs on the passive solar principle.  What this means is that the pool water runs through long sections of bendable tubing. These sections are stationed in front of reflectors which will allow them to receive and transmit the sun’s rays of heat to heat the water in the tubing.  You must be sure that the flexible tubing is protected, with some type of polythene sheeting.  This will keep it warm and not allow it to chill.

The reflectors typically should be made out of storm water piping which has been halved, which should be painted with chrome paint to make the most of their reflective powers.  You will then need a small pump of some sort which will be used to circulate the warmed water through your pool, Jacuzzi or spa.

Once you have all this, the tubing, reflectors and the cover are them assembled and placed within the solar panel.  You will need to determine the correct size and efficiency based on the size of your pool, Jacuzzi or spa.

Although it seems obvious, you should make sure that you place all panels where they will be exposed to gain the maximum amount of heat from the rays of sun.  You could place them vertically on your fence, or you can place them horizontally on a roof.  Best to find the appropriate place by where the sun is in its mid day position.

We have listed some of the best DIY solar pool system kits on this website.  If you choose to find your own kit, be sure that it comes with a good list of materials you will need, as well as numerous diagrams, and skills and equipment you are required to use to build it.