Solar Panels for Swimming Pools – Heating your pool the traditional way can really crank up your utility bill. Solar energy systems for pools offer an alternative method that is much more affordable.
Solar Panels for Swimming Pools – Efficient Systems to Cut Your Utility Bill
Alternatives to Solar Energy
Unless you are living in the tropical regions, where it can get really hot, you will need some sort of heating arrangement for your pool, especially in North America and Europe.
- You have the option of going in for a pool cover but they work only to limit the heat loss versus actually heating up the water.
- Another option is to use Gas heaters, which many pool owners still use. It’s the low initial cost that attracts many pool owners towards Gas heaters but then they don’t realize that the operating cost of a gas heater can really add up. The charges over the life of the use of the pool can be much more than what a solar energy system would incur.
- Another option is to use electric swimming pool heat pumps, its operating costs are about half of that for a gas heating system. Though a better deal than gas, these operating costs may not be acceptable to the budget-minded pool owners.
Advantages of Solar Energy Systems
Solar energy is becoming increasing popular because it is very high on the utility factor as well as it is a cheaper alternative to traditional energy sources. Many devices and gadgets working on solar panels are making entry into our day to day life. A solar pool panel is one such device. As the name suggests this is a solar panel which is used to heat swimming pools.The function of the solar pool panel is quite the same as the rest of solar panels. It captures the sun’s rays or heat and then coverts it into energy which is then used to heat the pool. The solar panels for swimming pool actually transfer the heat to the pools heat exchanger which in turn heats the water. Thus the only cost that you have to put in the system is that at the time of installation. Once installed it gives you maintenance free service for quite a long time.
Another advantage of Solar pool heaters is that they’re expandable, should your energy requirements change.
Components of a Swimming Pool Solar Heater
A swimming pool solar heater has:- Swimming Pool Solar Panels/Collectors: the part that heats the water and is circulated
- Filter: removes debris before water is pumped through the panels
- Pump: circulates water through the filter, the panel, and then back to the pool
- Flow control valve: automatic or manual valve that diverts water through the pool solar panel
Your pool water is pumped by the filter and goes through the solar panels where it’s heated before returning back to your pool.
Solar Energy Systems for Swimming Pools
The two more common types of solar heater installations for pools include:- Ones that are roof-attached and
- Ones that are located pool side
The roof-attached solar heaters are more commonly used because they look less obtrusive.
Installing these devices is also fairly simple. By having adequate information and knowledge one can easily put up this system. Here are certain things to take care at the time of installation:
- You should be sure of the number of solar panels that would be required to adequately heat the pool.
- You should also find adequate space for your solar pool panel.
The only probable downside with these systems is that they cannot provide heat on demand. They capture the heat from the sun, thus there is no way to increase the output of these heaters.
Nevertheless the advantages far outweigh the downside and Solar Panels for Swimming Pools (Solar energy systems) is definitely an alternative method for affordable heating.
Solar pool heating systems do require an initial investment of around $3,000 to $5,000 for a typical 300 to 400 square foot surface area residential pool with no special installation requirements, but an adequately sized solar heating system with a life span of 15-20 years can pay for itself in 2-to-3 years by means of energy savings.
Solar Water Heating Systems
Efficiency While Water Heating – Consider Flow Control System Along with Solar Panels
Most Solar Water Heating Systems can be categorized as active or passive depending on how much control you have over the heating process. Passive systems are much simpler in design, are cheaper compared to Active systems. But then Active systems can generate more energy under varied weather conditions.
You further have a couple of variations in the systems design such as Direct systems that heat the water right in the collector and Indirect systems which incorporate heat exchangers in the design.
Usually while talking about Solar energy, the efficiency of a solar cell is what matters and drives the generation of electricity; here we talk about the best way to heat water. Since solar power is commonly used for heating as well, to be able to do it efficiently is important to increase the longevity of your system.
Consider Flow Control System Along with Solar Panels
The cost of solar panels/cells is dependent on how efficient they are at converting the solar energy from the sun into electricity. Solar panel systems traditionally have been very inefficient at converting it but with advancements in technology, efficiency has improved considerably.
From lighting up things at home, most solar panel systems can now produce enough energy to heat water for the home and pools. There are many real life examples where this is actually being done.
But even there, by doing things in the right manner, you can further increase the efficiency.
This is because if you look at how the older panel systems work, you will realize that because water more or less randomly circulates through the system, it takes more work on the part of the panels to heat up the water. It is made to heat up a much larger pool of water than you need and it results in a much longer time as well to heat up the water. This is inefficient and not to mention the wear and tear that your panels are subjected to.
Efficiency While Water Heating
To solve this problem, you need to consider installing a flow control system as well. Flow systems work by waiting for the liquid to rise to a temperature determined by you. Once the liquid meets the temperature, the system turns on the circulation pump and moves the liquid to the desired location. Once the return valve sensor notes the temperature of the returning water is within a particular range of the liquid in the panel system, the pump is shut off. This process allows for faster heating times, more efficiency and less wasted energy.
Internally, a flow control system makes use of two sensors. One sensor measures the temperature of liquid that leaves the panel while the other measures the temperature of liquid coming into the panel.
Solar Water Heating Costs
Usually the costs of residential solar water heaters range between $1,500 and $3,500. But their annual operation cost is much lower (just about $50) as against those of gas or electric water heaters, which is around $500.
So, considering the life expectancy of solar water heaters, which is around 15 to 30 years, their lifetime operating cost sums up to around $1,000. As against this, conventional water heaters, with an average life of 10 years, cost you about $10,000 during their lifetime.
But the biggest advantage of a solar water heating system is that the cost is recovered within the first few years after their purchase, as they result in substantial savings in the electricity bills.
Making Your Own Solar Power Source
When using solar power for heating, you need a solar source, a device that you use to attract and trap the heat from the sun.
Its similar to a car out in the parking lot that gets hot, when it faces the midday sun and the windows are rolled up. The seats are a solar source because they trap the heat inside and become hot, and they’re warm long after the sun has moved away and not shining directly on that car.
So creating a solar source can be easy, provided you think about all the things that attract the sun. Here are some:
- Metal
- The color black
- Glass that is tinted or clear
- Mirrors and more.
As you can see, there are many such things that can trap heat for later use.
To Conclude
To get the heat to benefit your water system, you need to come up with a way that can circulate the water through your solar source. Such a solar source can be a challenge to create but you will enjoy the rewards for years to come. You can easily find these solar sources in stores (or buy them online). Shopping for solar power items is increasingly becoming easier and more affordable.
Though solar solutions are becoming cheaper, they are still not very cheap and you get the return on your investment over a period of few years. So if you are making an investment, you need to ensure that the solar panels are well taken care-of. In that regard if you intend to use it for solar water heating, then it is important that you get flow systems as well.
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