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who makes the best solar pool heating systems?


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Alternative Home Energy Resources

We have a great need to become more energy independent, and not having to depend on the supplying of fossil fuels and look more to alternative home energy and build renewable energy.

But as a homeowner there is important need to live off the grid and stop the government lobbying giant oil companies who have a stranglehold on folk when it comes to heating their homes (and if not through oil, then heat generally supplied by grid-driven electricity, another stranglehold).

As Remi Wilkinson, Senior researcher with Carbon Free, places it, unavoidably, the expansion of distributed generation will lead to the restructuring of the retail electricity market and the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. The power suppliers may diversify their business to make up for income lost through household energy microgeneration alternative home energy.

She is referring to the conclusions by a bunch of UK researchers, herself included among them, who call themselves Carbon Free. Carbon Free has been studying the ever-growing trend toward alternative home energy in Britain and in the West. Carbon Free’s analyses also show that energy firms themselves have jumped in on the game and attempt to leverage microgeneration to their own advantage for opening up new markets for themselves.

Carbon Free cites the example of electricity corporations (in the United Kingdom) reporting that they are seriously researching and developing ideas for new geothermal energy facilities, as these firms see geothermal energy production as a very profitable wave of the future. Another conclusion of Carbon Free is that solar energy hot water heating technology is an effective technology for reducing home water heating costs in the future, while it is at first quite costly to install. However, solar power panels to
supply solar power hot water heating can be afordable when constructed yourself.

Finally , Carbon Free tells us that installing wind power systems,wind turbines is an effective way of reducing home electricity costs, while also being more independent.


Check out the Alternative Energy Store, they have free educational information on renewable energy systems for your home and great prices on solar panels and wind turbines for your home.

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Alternative Home Energy / Solar Heating For Your Pool

U.S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy A Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Solar Swimming Pool Heaters

You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. They’re cost competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. Actually, solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates.

How They Work

Most solar pool heating systems include the following:

  • A solar collector — the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun

  • A filter — removes debris before water is pumped through the collector

  • A pump — circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool

  • A flow control valve — automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector.

Example of a solar pool heating system. This diagram shows the path pool water would travel as it goes through a solar pool heating system. The water exiting the pool goes through a strainer, then is pumped through a filter, through the collector, through a conventional pool heater (if you have one), and back into the pool. This system also includes a check valve, a flow control valve, and temperature sensors.

Example of a solar pool heating system.

Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector(s), where it is heated before it is returned to the pool. In hot climates, the collector(s) can also be used to cool the pool during peak summer months by circulating the water through the collector(s) at night.

Some systems include sensors and an automatic or manual valve to divert water through the collector(s) when the collector temperature is sufficiently greater than the pool temperature. When the collector temperature is similar to the pool temperature, filtered water simply bypasses the collector(s) and is returned to the pool.

Solar pool collectors are made out of different materials. The type you’ll need depends on your climate and how you intend to use the collector. If you’ll only be using your pool when temperatures are above freezing, then you’ll probably only need an unglazed collector system. Unglazed collectors don’t include a glass covering (glazing). They are generally made of heavy-duty rubber or plastic treated with an ultraviolet (UV) light inhibitor to extend the life of the panels. Because of their inexpensive parts and simple design, unglazed collectors are usually less expensive than glazed collectors. These unglazed systems can even work for indoor pools in cold climates if the system is designed to drain back to the pool when not in use. Even if you have to shut the system down during cold weather, unglazed collectors may be more cost effective than installing a more expensive glazed collector system.

An illustration of a solar panel. A tube is at each end of the panel, and arrows show the flow going through one tube, across the panel, and out the end of the other tube, which is labeled the header/manifold.

Example of how a solar collector works.

Glazed collector systems are generally made of copper tubing on an aluminum plate with an iron-tempered glass covering, which increases their cost. In colder weather, glazed collector systems—with heat exchangers and transfer fluids—capture solar heat more efficiently than unglazed systems. Therefore, they can be used year-round in many climates. Glazed collectors also can be used to heat domestic hot water year-round.

Both glazed and unglazed collector systems should include freeze protection if they’ll be used in colder conditions.

Selecting a Solar Pool Heater

A solar pool heating system usually costs between $3,000 and $4,000 to buy and install. This provides a payback of between 1.5 and 7 years, depending on your local fuel costs. They also typically last longer than gas and heat pump pool heaters. Your actual cost and payback depend on many factors. Therefore, before you purchase and install a solar pool heating system, you should do the following:

Installation and Maintenance

The proper installation of a solar pool heating system depends on many factors. These factors include solar resource, climate, local building code requirements, and safety issues. Therefore, it’s best to have a qualified solar thermal systems contractor install your system.

After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly for 10–20 years. Consult your contractor and read your owner’s manual for maintenance requirements. Your collector should require little maintenance if the pool’s chemical balance and filtering system are checked regularly. Glazed collectors may need to be cleaned in dry climates where rainwater doesn’t provide a natural rinse.

When screening potential contractors for installation and/or maintenance, ask the following questions:

  • Does your company have experience installing and maintaining solar pool heating systems?

    Choose a company that has experience installing the type of system you want and servicing the applications you select.

  • How many years of experience does your company have with solar heating installation and maintenance?

    The more experience the better. Request a list of past customers who can provide references.

  • Is your company licensed or certified?

    Having a valid plumber’s and/or solar contractor’s license is required in some states. Contact your city and county for more information. Confirm licensing with your state’s contractor licensing board. The licensing board can also tell you about any complaints against state-licensed contractors.

For contractor information, see the Professional Services and Product Information resources listed on the right side of this page (or below if you’ve printed it out).

Related Information

Other Types of Pool Heaters

Learn More Evaluation Tools

Financing & Incentives

Product Information

Professional Services

State & Local Resources

Related Links

Reading List

  • The Borrower’s Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems: A Federal Overview (PDF 501 KB). (September 1998). U.S. Department of Energy. This booklet provides an extensive overview of government-authorized special financing programs available to consumers interested in installing solar energy systems for heat and electricity.
  • Heat Your Water with the Sun (PDF 603 KB). (December 2003). DOE/GO-102003-1824. U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Heating Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy (760 KB). (June 2002). North Carolina Solar Center. 2 pp.

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