Introduction
Solar energy offers the best options available as to heating your pool. Economically, it is the best value. Hundreds of thousands of pool owners in the U.S. have made the intelligent choice of using solar pool heating for their pools. A solar pool system can achieve or surpass the same results as other forms of pool heating. It requires no extra maintenance beyond normal pool winterizing procedures, and other than installation, the process costs you nothing.

How it Works
The pump that circulates the pool water through the filter diverts the water automatically into many small passages of a solar collector. In midst of passing through the collector, the water is essentially warmed by energy generated by the sun. The warmed water then flows back into the pool. When the pool has reached the desired optimal temperature, the water will bypass the solar passages and filters back into the swimming pool.

Implications
A good-sized solar pool heating system can more than double your swim season! Depending on weather and climatic conditions, the pool temperature can be raised 2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit each time it passes through the solar passages. Your pool’s temperature can be raised by 15 degrees Fahrenheit over several days weather permitting! Implementing a solar blanket will help keep the heat in at night or when it is windy, and can ameliorate the solar pool heating system further.

It Can Also Cool the Pool
During the dog days of summer, running the solar system at night can cool your pool to a more refreshing temperature. The possibilities can reach to lower the temperature to several degrees Fahrenheit per night. Also, disengaging the solar blanket at night will significantly lower the temperature of an over-heated pool. For other pool accessories, refer to our homepage.

How it Compares
Propane and natural gas heaters normally have the most economical cost of installation, but the downside is they have the highest cost of operation. Gas heaters last anywhere between five to eight years. Heat pumps have a life expectancy of about eight to twelve years, though the cost of installation is higher than gas, the cost of operation is about sixty-five percent lower.

The cost of installing a solar pool heating system is very close to that of a heat pump, but the great thing is the power of the sun is free, so there is no cost of operation! A well-installed solar pool heating system will last anywhere between ten to fifteen years. Another positive aspect is that solar heating has been around for over thirty years, so the effectiveness and tenacity has been proven.

digg it | my yahoo | furl | delicious