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Solar Swimming Pool Heaters
If you would like to heat your swimming pool
water by using the energy from the sun, you
should consider installing a solar heating
system. Solar systems cost about the same
to buy as either gas or heat pump pool heaters,
but they last much longer and are more cost
effective to operate. Solar heaters work
by pumping the pool’s water through a filter
and then through the solar collector, which
heats it and then returns it to the pool.
The water can also be cooled during periods
of hot weather by circulating the pool’s
water through the collector at night.
If you are thinking of buying
a solar heater,
consider the following:
- A complete solar system consists of a filter,
which removes debris before water is pumped
through the collector, a pump to circulate the water, a flow control valve,
which diverts the pool water through the
collector, and the solar collector, which
allows the sun to heat the water.
- Unglazed collectors can be used if you will
only be using the pool when the temperature
is above freezing. They are usually made
from heavy duty plastic or rubber treated
with a light inhibitor that protects them
from deteriorating in the sun’s ultraviolet
rays. They are less expensive than glazed
collectors, which are generally made of copper
tubing on an aluminum plate with an iron
tempered glass covering. However, glazed
collectors heat the water more efficiently
than unglazed collectors, so they can frequently
be used all year. Both types need freeze
protection systems if they will be used in
colder climates.
- Convenient solar heating systems include
sensors which automatically divert the pool’s
water to the collector when it is cooler
than the water in the collector. When the
temperature is about the same in both the
pool and the collector, the filtered water
bypasses the collector and goes directly
to the pool.
- Once properly installed, solar heating systems
will last for many years and need very little
maintenance as long as the pool’s chemical
balance and filtering system are routinely
checked. Glazed collectors will need to be
cleaned in dry climates where rainwater does
not naturally rinse them.
As you might expect, solar pool heating systems
will work best in geographical areas that
receive abundant sunshine. |
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