The Full Cost Of A Solar Pool Heater
Do you want a heated pool without the high utility bills? Are you looking for affordable alternatives to keeping your pool water steaming? Well, solar energy is probably the answer for you.
In this post well cover the solar pool heater cost, and well walk you through everything you need to know about solar pool heating. Keep reading to find out the cost of your average solar pool heater, how it works, the pros, cons and whether its the right option for you.
Important note: The heaters you use for your pool are not the same as the solar panels you use for your home electricity. They’re very different and serve different purposes.
Removing Your Old Pool Heater
If you already have a heater in your pool, youre going to have to remove it before installing a new one. The cost of removing an old pool heater will average around $25 to $50 depending on the type of heater you have and how it fits into your pool setup. If you hire a professional, most will simply include removal in the overall installation cost. If you dont know whether or not you need a new one, read my guide on how long pool heaters last.
Siting A Solar Swimming Pool Heater’s Collector
Collectors can be mounted on roofs or anywhere near the swimming pool that provides the proper exposure, orientation, and tilt toward the sun. Both the orientation and tilt of the collector will affect your solar pool heating system’s performance. Your contractor should consider them while evaluating your site’s solar resource and sizing your system.
Read Also: How To Hook Solar Panels To Your House
How Much Does It Cost To Install
Theres a number of factors on which installation cost depends. The size of your pool, solar heating unit purchased and manpower required to install a system.
Since different companies install the solar pool heating systems, we cant give you a hard number here. The best advice for pricing out the installation cost of your pool heater is to call around and get at least 5 quotes. Then use the one with the best combination of pricing, customer service, and reviews.
It may cost more if theres additional work required such as a very large pool, sharp angled roof, or other unique circumstances. But this information should be gathered by the businesses when theyre building your quote.
How Much Will Solar Heating Warm My Pool
![Best Solar Pool Heaters in 2021 Best Solar Pool Heaters in 2021](https://www.solarproguide.com/wp-content/uploads/best-solar-pool-heaters-in-2021-best-solar-pool-cover.jpeg)
The effectiveness of solar heating depends on a range of factors, including where you live, how much sun the collectors will receive in a day and the size of your pool. However, according to Compass Pools, solar pool heating should warm your pool by between 2 and 10 degrees Celsius, depending on the size of the pool and your location.
Depending on where you live, the current weather and whether or not you use a pool cover, it could take anywhere from one to 11 days to heat the pool to 28 degrees Celsius, according to My Perfect Pool.
SPASA advises there are many factors that may influence the temperature of your solar-heated pool, including:
You May Like: Solar Panel Installers San Diego
Which Size Solar Collector Is Right For Your Home
Depending on how many months out of the year you plan to use your pool and how warm you prefer your water to be, the Department of Energy recommends the solar collector be between 50% and 100% of the square footage size of the pools surface.
For example, if a pool is 15-by-20 feet, it has 300 square feet of surface area. Therefore, the solar collector should be between 150 and 300 square feet in size.
Homeowners looking to keep their pool open throughout the year should consider a solar collector that is the full size of the pool or larger.
For example, a 15-by-30-foot outdoor swimming pool in Florida typically requires a collector that equals 100% of the pool’s square footage to accommodate year-round use. This equals 450 square feet of collectors.
In northern California, most people use outdoor pools 68 months per year, so they typically size their systems at 60%70% of the pool’s surface area.
What Is The Solar Pool Heater Installation Process
Installing aSolar Pool Heater is simple and it takes around each day to finish a mean crewof two. Solar pool heating collectors are usually located on the wall, but couldalso be mounted however sufficient sunlight is getting. The steps are givenbelow:
i) Confirm proper matchinitially survey region. a) Designing the piping design while buildingmulti-bank structures.
ii) Lay the first panel down and make sure that certain roof isstraight and square. Just lay the substrate under each panel.
iii) Couple all panels together in one bank.
iv) Make sure the panel orientation is straight on the wall. To makesure drainage, the panel bottom header should be inclined approximately14 every 10 feet towards the top cap.
v) Secure 3 or 4top ties in situ for holding panel banks.
vi) Then protect the remaining tops, bases, and braces for the frames.
vii) The vacuum safety valveand therefore the end caps are installed. Then connect the supply to panels andreturn pipes. These pipes should be routed, so that when the pump shuts downthe system will drain completely. Solar pool heaters are installed by applyingthese ways.
Don’t Miss: Cost Of Solar Energy Per Kwh
Individual Solar Water Heater With Discharge In Swimming Pool
DualSun has have developed a system that makes the most of solar energy. It is called the Individual Solar Water Heater with Discharge in Swimming Pool and is the best solution on the market.
Schematic diagram of a ISWH with Discharge in Swimming Pool solar heating installation
In this configuration, the solar installation is connected to both the solar hot water tank and the swimming pool. Within this system, the panels first heat the solar water heater. Once the water in the solar water tank is heated, it is fed into the pool.
What are the benefits?
- Better photovoltaic efficiency compared to a traditional ISWH due to the more effectively water-cooled panels
- Energy autonomy and free solar heating for your swimming pool
Conversely, this configuration requires the swimming pool to be located close to the house. This very system is implemented in an exemplary project in Cabriès. Have a look!
Solar Hot Water Collector Efficiency
Solar hot water collector efficiency is 70% to 90% on sunny days and 10% to 30% on cloudy days. Energy efficiency depends on the type of collector, sun exposure, and outdoor air temperature.
- Solar thermal collector panels must receive a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight per day to maintain hot water in the storage tank for 24 hours.
- The ideal solar collector position is south-facing and tilted at an angle equal in degrees to the home’s latitude. The hot water output of collectors facing southeast or southwest can be 10% to 20% lower than south-facing panels.
- Choose a collector with a selective surface coating to maximize its ability to capture and retain heat.
Recommended Reading: Can A Solar Panel Charge A Tesla
How Does Solar Pool Heating Work
Every pool has a pump to filter, sanitise and heat the water. Solar pool heating works by using the pump to run water through specially designed solar panels that heat the water in much the same way a solar water heater works.
A solar pool heater involves several components working together, including:
- Solar collectors that heat the water
- A filter that removes debris before the water passes through the collectors
- A flow control valve that controls the flow of water
Once installed, a solar heating system can increase the temperature of the water by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius. This depends on:
- The number of solar collectors
- How much sun shines on the collectors
- The pitch and orientation of the roof
- The type of solar pool heating you choose
Having a pool blanket will also help your pool to retain heat as much as 75%. A pool blanket can also reduce evaporation and keep debris out of the pool when you’re not using it. An above ground pool will retain more heat than an in-ground pool, but solar pool heaters are an excellent choice for either type of pool.
Electric Heat Pump Pool Heater Installation
Electric heat pump heaters are one of the most popular choices for builder-owners, and with good reason. They are somewhat expensive to run per month and can cost up to $200 in monthly bills, but installation is easy.
Installation and labor costs usually come out to $750-$1,000 for electric heat pump pool heaters. The biggest difficulty in installing pool heaters is doing the circuitry and hookup.
If you are simply replacing an old heat pump heater and circuitry is there, you could save hundreds in labor. Once your electric heat pump pool heater is installed, the only limitation is that it cant run if its below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Read Also: How To Put Solar Panels On Rv
Average Upfront Costs For Solar Pool Heaters
The upfront cost for a solar pool heater is between $1,500 and $5,000 on average, but it will vary depending on the size and type of heater you choose.
Size is the most significant factor that will affect the cost of your pool heater. Solar pool heaters are available in various sizes to fit any pool size. Youll need a larger and more expensive heating system if you have a large pool.
Other determining factors are your pool type and what kind of solar panels you want.
How Does Solar Pool Heater Work
![Solar Pool Heater 735 W Set of 5 Solar Pool Heater 735 W Set of 5](https://www.solarproguide.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-pool-heater-735-w-set-of-5-low-cost-direct.jpeg)
Solar pool heatingsystems are operated by absorbing significantamount of daylight byusing this energy to flow water into the tankand out into the pool.
The water flows through a number of solar collectors and warmththem up along the way. A solar heater consumes ultraviolet radiance fromthe sun and then utilize it to generateheat to the swimming pool water.
The unstable pool water firstly transfers to the tank. It flows through a filter until water enters in the collector to remove seeds, algae, and sand. The water being heated by the sun into the solar panel until its floating to the pool water.
If you stay in a warm climatic region, in the summer season, the collector is often wont to cool the pool water.
This would be possible if you pump water through the collector in the dark.
The reservoir temperature becomes greater than that of the stream when water is transferred to the reservoir, through a flow generating device.
The filtered pool water just bypasses the collector before floating to the pool, until the temperature of the collector becomes like the temperature of the reservoir.
You can use unglazed collectors forgetting best results when the temperature is above the melting point.
Don’t Miss: Can Sole Custody Be Changed To Joint
Solarpoolsupply Industrial Grade Diy Solar Pool Heater System Kit
The SolarPoolSupply industrial-grade solar pool heater system kit is one of the most efficient solar pool heating systems on the market.
The square header gives you maximum flow and efficiency. The leading attachment method proves to be the top industry method for panel connection and PVC plumbing. You can mount panels closer and more efficiently.
Alternatives Available
The solar pool heating system includes solar panels, a solar heater, solar manifold, solar clamps, solar pipes, plumbing adaptors, and solar panel attachments. All components are industry-leading high-quality materials meant to last decades in direct sunlight.
The SolarPoolSupply industrial-grade DIY solar pool heater is easy to install for anyone with basic construction experience. It is a solar heating system for the pool that can be installed with solar plumbing on new or old systems and new construction solar panel installation.
SolarPoolSupply offers an industrial-grade DIY solar pool heater system kit that is easy to install and eliminates the need for rubber hoses or metal clamps.
You May Like: Can I Put A Solar Panel On My Car
Pool Heater Replacement Cost Factors
- Pool size & heater size Large pools or homes in cold climates require a larger pool heater, increasing the costs.
- Above ground vs. inground pool An inground pool typically needs a larger heater than an above-ground pool.
- Location & climate Gas heaters are more popular in northern regions, while solar heaters are suitable for sunny climates.
- Labor to install a pool heater costs $500 to $1,500, depending on the heater type.
- Permits Installing roof-mounted collectors for a solar pool heater or running a new gas line for a gas pool heater requires a permit.
- Removing the old heater costs $25 to $50 and is typically included in the installation estimate.
- Saltwater pools use the same gas, heat pump, or solar pool heater a chlorine or bromine pool uses.
Also Check: Cost Of Solar Battery Backup
Do Solar Pool Heaters Work In The Winter
While it might seem like a solar pool heating system might not be the most ideal setup during winter, solar pool heaters actually work even during this season.
This is because solar energy is dependent on the sun, which is present all year long.
If your solar pool heating system is properly installed, you will be able to take advantage of peak sun hours, which is the time of day when the sun shines the brightest.
Your solar panels will still get sufficient sun exposure even as the sun continues to change its angle throughout the year.
Solar Pool Heater Prices By Collector Size
The solar pool heaters collection area should always be positioned where it will receive maximum sunlight. Typical locations are a roof or nearby platform. In areas of the Northern Hemisphere, you will position the collector facing south to receive the most sunlight exposure. Depending on where you live, the collector might require tilting by as much as 45 degrees east or west. Usually, the degree is determined by your regions latitude minus 10 to 15 degrees. When you have the heater professionally installed, the installer will make the necessary adjustments based on your location. They will determine the area that receives the most sunlight.
Pool heater costs range from $2,800 to $8,000, depending on the size and horsepower. Solar panels vary in size, but many are 4 x 10 or 4 x 20. The number of panels needed in a system depends on many factors, including the size of the pool, your climate, whether it is an in-ground pool or above-ground pool, and whether you use a pool cover. Here is a general example of the number of 4 x 10 glazed panels needed for an in-ground pool in a warm climate and their cost.
Number of 4 x 10 Solar Panels | Pool Surface Area |
---|---|
$6,100 – $8,000 |
Recommended Reading: How Many Solar Panels For Rv
Do Solar Hot Water Systems Need Servicing
Solar water heaters require routine maintenance to ensure efficient operation. Many installation companies provide yearly maintenance. Inspect the system annually for the following problems:
- Collector is not shaded â Vegetation growth and new construction may create shading that wasn’t present during installation.
- Dirty collector panels
- Cracks in the collector glazing or seals
- Damaged collector mounting or roof penetration
- Leaks at pipe and duct connections or seals
- Damaged or degraded insulation, ducts, or wiring
- Pressure relief valve stuck open or closed
- Pump not operating
- Cracks, rust, or corrosion in the storage tank
For indirect systems, hire a solar contractor to flush the collector or hot water loop with a vinegar solution and replace the heat transfer fluid every 3 to 5 years.
Average Cost To Install A Solar Pool Heater
Cost to install a solar pool heaterFactor |
---|
The following factors affect the cost to install a solar pool heater:
- Pool size a larger pool needs more solar collector panels to heat the pool to the desired temperature.
- Location and climate affect the air temperature and length of the swimming season, dictating the number of solar collectors needed.
- Sun exposure homes with ideal sun exposure, such as in Florida, need fewer panels than homes that spend part of the day in the shade.
- Collector type and efficiency glazed collectors are the most efficient but most expensive to install.
- Inground vs. above-ground pool solar heating for inground pools typically costs more.
- A flow control valve and automatic diverter valve cost $325 to $600. A controller increases efficiency and performance by bypassing the solar collectors during cloudy or rainy days.
- Rebates and tax incentives may reduce the total installation cost, depending on location.
- Plumbers charge$45 to $150 per hour. Install the solar collector panels as close to the pool pump as possible to reduce plumbing costs.
You May Like: How To Install The Ring Solar Panel
Does Solar Pool Heating Work
Solar pool heating is somethingwhich is considered as a vital element for more people,especially within south where sunshine is out there all yearround. Sunshine abundance makes this region an ideal candidate forthis sustainable and renewable source of energy.
And after inclement weather,it can put your pool back to a comfort zone for bath forseveral sunshine days during a string. The solar package is acollection of panels, typically on the deck, which collects electricity fromthe sun to power up the swimming pool. Those panels contain a set ofnarrow holes.
Before floating to the pool, water is pumped through these tubes or collectors and is warmed by the suns heat. The mean heat output is about 1,000-1,500 Btus.
The machine can also be able to cool water in hot conditions by pushing it through the collectors in the dark.
The collectortubes can often be vitrified or powdered. This provides themmore productivity as they hold more of the warmth.
Are You Ready To Invest In Solar Panels To Heat Your Swimming Pool
![Blue Wave SolarPro Solar Unit Pool Heater in the Solar Pool Heaters ... Blue Wave SolarPro Solar Unit Pool Heater in the Solar Pool Heaters ...](https://www.solarproguide.com/wp-content/uploads/blue-wave-solarpro-solar-unit-pool-heater-in-the-solar-pool-heaters.jpeg)
Are you looking for a way to heat your swimming pool without spending a lot of money? Solar panels may be the answer for you. Not only do they provide an environmentally friendly option for heating your pool, but they can also save you money on your energy bills. Here is some information on solar panels and how they can help heat your swimming pool.
Why Consider Solar Panels? A solar panel system can be installed to heat your pool. All you have to do is hook up your solar panels, and youre ready to go. The system will heat the water in your pool, keeping it warm and comfortable for swimming, even extending your swim season perhaps in sunny climates.
Recommended Reading: Is Solar Power Good For The Environment