Solar Pool Heaters
Plants have been using the energy from the sun for billions of years. Until recently, but, this energy has been available only indirectly to humans via the energy we harvest in the form of everything from fossil fuels to plants to wind power all solar energy derivatives.
Today, as environmental awareness and rising oil prices place pressure on society, the potential of emerging solar energy technologies that directly harness the nearly limitless energy of the sun is increasingly desirable and economically feasible.
Harnessing solar energy involves both the direct use of the radiated heat as well as its conversion to electricity in the most efficient way possible. Concentrating systems engage mirrors and lenses to direct the sunlight to the area of collection. In some systems, parabolic trough-shaped structures of photovoltaic cells can even be powered to follow the motion of the sun allow for increased electricity generation. Non-concentrating systems are often simple flat panel collectors that are most commonly found as rooftop PV or as solar pool heaters.
Worldwide, solar currently provides less than one percent of electricity demand but is projected to supply 26% of the worlds consumption by 2040. This industrial transition will occur as solar generated electricity becomes cost effective throughout the United States and much of the world.
Solar energy enjoys many environmental and economic advantages over other forms of energy currently used. Solar power products that are used at home include solar heaters which focus thermal energy from the sun. This principle can be used to heat water to replace the cold water in the pool. The pool solar heater system is a solar powered hot water system to use in pools. Unlike other types of solar powered devices, pool solar heaters are rather simple and can extend the swimming season considerably.
Solar Pool Heaters use free heat from the sun to keep your pool warm and comfortable this swimming season. Above-ground and in-ground solar pool heaters are a fantastic way to conserve nature’s precious resources, while saving you money on gas bills. Selecting a Solar Pool Heater is now simpler than ever. Solar Pool Heating provides you and your family with a cost-effective and environmentally conscious way to keep your pool warm and inviting even during the winter months. Contrary to common belief, there is enough solar energy, even in the cold Northeast, to warm your pool to summer levels. Solar Pool Heaters are fantastic for recreational pool use and are recommended for those who are comfortable with pool water temperatures ranging from the low to mid 80′s. Solar works year round in southern climates, and extends the season in northern climates.
Installing a solar pool heater can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs. Solar pool heaters are quite cost competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters. They have very low annual operating costs and is really considered to be the most cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates. The pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collectors to be heated. Solar pool collectors are made of different materials. The type you need often depends directly on climate and use of the collector. If you intend to use your pool when temperatures are above freezing, then you will probably only need an unglazed collector system. These do not include a glass covering and are generally made of heavy duty rubber or plastic treated with UV inhibitors.
Having a pool at home is one of the most sought after luxuries in owning a home. But, to fully delight in your pool anytime you want, you have to consider a lot of factors that your pool is vulnerable to.
For example, your pool is vulnerable to the changes in weather conditions in your area, so the water temperature also changes. This means when it gets a bit colder, the water’s temperature also falls. A solar pool heater can help you make the most out of your swimming pool.
Solar pool heaters come in different systems, most of which require a considerable amount of investment. On average, prices for solar pool heaters can take up to $2,000 for the heater unit alone.
Some pool heaters are affordable, but they require a lot of electricity when used. So this also translates to more costs for you. But fortunately there is one affordable option for you; you can build your own solar pool heater instead of buy one. You can invest in an affordable guide or plot that will instruct you on how to build a solar pool heater, or you can simply download a guide from the Internet.
Understanding how solar pool heaters work is the key to successfully building one. Solar pool heaters are backed by the passive solar principle. According to this, the water in your pool passes through long flexible tubing before being exposed to reflectors that absorb the sun’s heat through the tubing, thus affecting the temperature of the water. The reflectors are easily affected by temperature changes, so you will need to protect it.
So if you want to heat your pool without investing in an expensive solar pool heater system, you can simply place a protective cover over the reflectors. Polythene sheeting can be very effective for this purpose. But, if you are just building your pool, you may want to use halved storm water piping for the reflectors then cover the piping with chrome paint, which will enable you to heat your pool efficiently.
Now, to distribute the heat from the reflectors to the pool water, use a solar electric pump or even a small pump such as those used in ponds if you want a cheaper alternative. If you don’t mind shelling out a bit, the solar electric pump is certainly the better, quicker, and more durable option. It is also friendlier to the environment. Ideally, the pump should be able to deliver 10 liters of water in a minute. At this rate, you will be able to raise your pool’s water level up to 5’2”.
You can also build a solar panel that already encompasses the tubing and the reflectors. The size of the solar panel will depend on various factors such as manageability, structural reliability, and effectiveness in heating relative to the size of the pool. The solar panel heater should be placed in a location where it will be exposed to the most sun, such as on the roof. The time you place your solar panel out will also affect how effective it will be, so get them out in the time of day when it is hottest, which is usually in the middle of the day. You can use more than one solar panel; the more heat you want, the more solar panels you need. This is why spas use multiple and larger solar panels because they have more heating requirements.
You can enhance the effectiveness of your solar pool heater by using a solar pool blanket along with it, though this is usually done when you want extra effective heating. For normal purposes, your solar pool panel heater can do the work by itself.
