What is Solar Pool Heating??

[Free4Life11]

I am looking at vacation homes and sometimes they come up saying Solar Pool Heating included.

What exactly is that? Would it work in January?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[MalcolmC]

Matt,

Solar pool heating uses panels fixed on the house roof to heat water which is trickled over black, corrugated metal panels and picks up the heat from them.

Obviously these work best when the sun shines strongest but they can still be effective in the Winter and they don't really cost anything to run since the pump has to operate anyway.

We don't have them on our house, we have an electric heat pump, ( like an Air-conditioner in reverse) which again works best when its warmer but still works even down to about 40 degrees. We also have a pool cover which helps retain the heat but you have to remember to put it over the pool in the evening and take it off when you start using the pool again.

The other alternative is a gas heater but these are falling out of favour due to the high cost of natural gas.

Homes we have stayed in on Westridge in the past have had both solar heating and a gas heater.

Hope that's of some help

 

[FLeisure]

The main problem with solar heating is in the Winter. If the pool is cold, solar heating won't really work. If a pool has another form of heating such as electric or gas to get the initial heat into the pool, the solar heating can then take over thus reducing the cost for the owner.

It must be noted that the initial heating of the pool is expensive and that you shouldn't expect to pay for just one or two days heat if the solar takes over. The first one or two days of heating can cost the owner anywhere from $ 60 upwards - the average charge to the guest is $ 20 per day and there is still a cost to purchasing the solar system in the first place.

And always remember to use the pool blanket every night in the colder months - otherwise you'll lose 90% of the heat generated during the day !