If you’ve spent a lot of money on your swimming pool but don’t get to spend as much time using it as you would like, it’s time to consider a great option like solar pool heating. Heating your pool with solar, not only uses free energy from the sun to warm your pool (saving you money I the long run), it means that you get to spend more time in the pool- from early morning to late evening, and from early spring right through to late autumn. Need more convincing that solar heating for your swimming pool is the answer? Here are a few things you should keep in mind when you are looking at solar options, to help ensure that you are getting the best product for your needs.
It won’t affect your home
When you think solar power, you probably think of those massive panels that you install on your roof if you have your electricity supplied by solar panels. While solar pool heating options from solar work in a similar manner, the panels are actually very different. Solar collectors for your swimming pool are generally large lengths of black (plenty of companies provide solar collectors in colours to match your roof), tubing that is attached to your roof. Depending on the type you install (rigid or strip solar collectors), these can be installed inconspicuously on your roof, in a way that has the least visual impact possible. Your installer will advise you on the best way to do this so that you can still get the most sunlight possible.
High quality is best
The age old saying that you get what you pay for rings true when it comes to heating your pool. There are plenty of providers out there that may offer you cheap pool heating, only to have it last a short amount of time, which will cost you more in the long run. You should look for a provider that has products specifically designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions, including damage from birds and pests. Speaking of quality, a good system for heating your pool should come with a life long warranty (over 10 years). Most systems last 20-25 years, so if your provider doesn’t have a long life warranty, look elsewhere.
How to get the most out of your solar pool heating system
You won’t need to run the system at night as there is no sun to heat the pool, but you can help to keep the pool warmer for longer by adding a solar pool blanket for the evenings and when the weather is really bad. To also help ensure that your solar pool heating system provides you with warm water all year round, in the winter months you should book for an annual service. Many providers actually offer this service, and you should aim to do it at the end of winter or beginning of spring. While a good quality system requires little maintenance, an annual service during down time will ensure that there are no major problems when it comes to spring/summer, when you start using your pool again.
Keeping these points in mind when you purchase a solar pool heating system for your swimming pool, will help to ensure that you get the most out of it throughout the year.