A solar pool heater is one of the simplest and most successful applications of eco-friendly solar power, reducing heating costs to zero for many pool and spa owners.

Pool water is pumped through panels exposed to the sun's rays and the heated water is returned to the pool. Programmable, thermostatic valves allow control of the pool temperature.

Solar attic heaters use a heat exchanger to both cool the attic of your house and heat a pool or spa.

In many parts of the country, heating even a small pool can cost hundreds of dollars a month, especially if it is in a shady place. This cost can be cut out altogether from late spring to late fall.

For owners whose local climate allows them to use no heating, swimmimg pool solar heaters will offer greater comfort in the water and extend the swim season for at least six weeks.

Spa owners can reduce their fuel bills to zero in summer months if they use enough panels and follow the best energy saving practices (most especially the use of quality covers at night).

Many systems are simple enough and low tech enough to allow anyone with good DIY skills to install for themselves. Initial costs are low and running costs are negligible so even a company installation repays the outlay very quickly. After that it's a free ride (or swim).

Swimmimg pool solar covers can bring big increases in water temperture for less than a hundred dollars.

Companies that Install Solar Pool Heating

The solar pool heating systems are all essentially the same in principle, so I will offer details from just one company- Suntrek based in California and Nevada..

How They Work

As the Suntrek graphic above shows, water from the pool is pumped through solar panels to be heated by the suns rays. Panels can be mounted on roofs or on the ground and need to be about 80% of the pool's size for maximum benefit.

During the winter, the system should be drained down, otherwise the only maintenance required is cleaning the panels from time to time with soap and water.

Installation costs between $2,500 and $7,500 with the capital outlay being recouped in one to two years. The lifetime of the equipment is 20-25 years and Suntrek offer a 15 year warranty.This compares well with a gas heater whose lifetime is 7 to 10 years and a standard warranty period of 2 years.

http://www.suntreksolar.com

Companies Offering Similar Systems

• Hot Sun Inc, based in California; http://www.powermat.com/
• Flasolar, Florida based company: http://flasolar.com
• Siliconsolar, New York company: http://www.siliconsolar.com/solar-pool-heaters.html
• Solardirect: https://shop.solardirect.com/esm_installsmart.php

Sunheater DIY Solar Pool Heating from Cost Co

Cost Co offer solar pool heaters from Sunheater for both in-ground and above ground pools using the pool or spa's own filtration pump Full instructions for DIY installation are provided.

Above ground pools :

A 40 sq ft collector is $199.00 including all plumbing and shipping,

Inground pool

The flexible, mat-like panels are roof mounted, rack mounted or simply set up on the ground.

For a pool less than 160 sq feet the price is $469.

For pools of 320 square feet or less the system costs $799.

The price includes shipping plus everything needed to mount the panels for a solar pool heater and connect to your plumbing. Follow the links below for details.

Solar Enthusiasts

Solar enthusiasts have used everything from lengths of hosepipe to parabolic mirrors and giant magnifying glasses to heat pools using the energy of the sun. If you are interested, check out the links below.

Some of the installations can look ramshackle but their proud owners report good results.

Problems encountered by DIY Solar Pool Installers

The most difficult issue is finding space for the panels, especially if you don't have a roof that catches enough sun in the day. The installations can also be unsightly. One solution is to create a feature near the pool- a place to change, a shade or even a bar and use the roof space.

Flasolar have a calculator that will work out how big your panels should be. Its big advantage is that it takes into account which direction your panels will be facing and therefore how much sun they will receive. Only roofs facing directly north are completely unusable.flasolar.com/php/pool_panels_entry.php

Once installed, the only serious problems that usually arise with solar pool heaters come from leaks in the system. The constant expansion and contraction of the panels as they heat and cool quickly exposes bad workmanship in the plumbing so it is important to follow installation instructions carefully. If you get a leak in the panels themselves there are sealing solutions available from manufacturers.

Other Problems with Solar Pool Heating

If the pool or spa is too cool it might be:

• The panels are too small.
• The panels are not catching enough sun and need repositioning.
• The panels need cleaning.
• The water is not circulating for long enough or is circulating at the wrong time of day- if you let water circulate at night, it will cool the pool. These problems can be solved by resetting the timer if one is installed or by installing one or by remembering to operate the system at the right times manually

If there are air bubbles coming from the pool or spa water inlet when the solar heating is on, there is probably a problem with water circulation

• Check the filter.
• Check that all valves are open
• Examine the vacuum relief valve and ensure that it is clean and working properly.

Solar Attic Pool Heater

Many companies offer a pool heater that uses the heat in an attic to heat a swimming pool. This will also cool the attic saving money on air conditioning (up to 30% in some homes).

The core of the system is a heat exchanger, not a heat pump so there is no compressor and the system only uses as much electricity as a fan. There is also the advantage of not needing to find space for solar panels and the system is neat and invisible.

Long Island SolarPools offer installation in Long Island or ship in kit form anywhere in the US. Full specifications on their site.

http://www.longislandsolarpools.com/

Automatic Control Systems

Pentair SunTouch Control System

This is an easy to program controller that will regulate conventional gas or electric heaters and solar pool heaters to get the best performance at the most economical price. It can also control salt chlorine generators.

Price around $350

http://www.a1poolparts.com/-strse-1796/Pentair-Suntouch-Control-System/Detail.bok

Swimming Pool Solar Covers (or Solar Blankets)

Solar covers  trap the heat of the sun and can raise temperature by 10 to 15 degrees on their own. The bubble wrap like material both conserves heat and magnifies the suns rays. Buy in sheets and cut to fit your pool. The price for smaller pools is less than a one hundred dollars.