SOLAR SWIMMING POOL HEATERS
The main types on the market with their advantages and disadvantages
Heating your swimming pool shouldn’t cost the earth. There exists a variety of swimming pool heaters that are not only eco-friendly, but also that will enable you to save significantly on running costs. One of the best sources of energy- especially during those hot summer months where you want to make the most out of your pool- is the Sun. For this article, we will be comparing the main types of solar swimming pool heaters available.
Solar mat
The cheapest option out of them all, the solar mat collects sunlight on its large, mattress-like surface, and heats the water flowing through. In climates where the temperature is high, the sun is shining without any clouds, and there is no wind, the solar mat can perform relatively well. It is an ideal solution if you are looking to spend as little as possible, but this low price comes at the expense of a variety of factors.
Firstly, the solar mat is space consuming, taking up a lot of floor space, which can be especially frustrating in a smaller garden. Also, a large black mat is perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing type of pool heater available, not an ideal option to brighten up a garden. For a solar mat to work effectively, the weather must be just right, as it does not function well when it is windy, even if there isn’t a cloud in sight. A lot of the energy collected is lost, as the wind simply blows the heat away.
Firstly, the solar mat is space consuming, taking up a lot of floor space, which can be especially frustrating in a smaller garden. Also, a large black mat is perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing type of pool heater available, not an ideal option to brighten up a garden. For a solar mat to work effectively, the weather must be just right, as it does not function well when it is windy, even if there isn’t a cloud in sight. A lot of the energy collected is lost, as the wind simply blows the heat away.
Evacuated tube
The evacuated tube solar water heater is the most expensive option out of all the solar pool heaters; however, this type of heater performs very well. They are efficient even when there are differences in temperature (between the water and the air) and can even perform in cloudy climates. You would be able to heat your pool without any problems, as the evacuated tube can reach high temperatures.
The downside with this type of solar water heater is that it is very expensive to purchase, and to install. It is likely that this system would need to be set up by a professional installer, who may charge you a lot of money. For a smaller pool, this would not be a worthwhile investment. An entire system for a larger pool would easily cost in the thousands of pounds, plus it is also quite space consuming. This type of system is unsuitable for swimming pools, as the evacuated tube system is designed for high temperature water heating to be used commercially.
HIGHEST RECORDED POOL TEMPERATURE
As hot water rises, the highest recorded pool temperature shows the temperature at the top of the pool. The table above shows that the SolarisKit solar water heater is able to heat water above ambient temperature, reaching the ideal 25 degrees Celsius pool temperature that is desirable during the summer.
flat plate
Not as expensive as the evacuated tube, flat plate solar water heaters are high performance collectors that are able to reach high temperatures. They are the most used solar water heater in Europe, boasting a mature market. They do however come with a few drawbacks.
Again, like the evacuated tube, they require an installer to install, not ideal for a smaller sized swimming pool. This type of heater must be firmly fixed at a certain angle (dependant on your location); they are usually installed on a roof. Installation costs will again be an issue, this system must also be installed by a professional.
As we tested a swimming pool in Dundee, Scotland, it is likely that the weather may be warmer anywhere south of this location. We used Dundee as this is where we are based, and to show that if our system works in Sundee, it works anywhere!
SolarisKit S400
At an affordable price, the SolarisKit S400 pool heater is easy to assemble and install. This is the smallest design out of all the solar pool heaters, yet it is very efficient. Its prismatic design means that it can collect sunlight at all times of the day, and like the evacuated tube, works in cloudy climates too. It can easily be connected to most types of swimming pools, and you will not need to hire a professional to install a SolarisKit system. The unique, prismatic design is unlike anything on the market.
Each collector takes roughly about 15 minutes to assemble, though some may not be fans of assembling it themselves. The assembly, however, does not require any tooling and comes with easy step-by-step instructions.
Choosing between the different types of solar pool heaters requires considering the price, the installation costs, as well as the performance of the pool heater in different climates. The size of the pool in question should also be considered, as the payback period may not be as attractive in the long term. Either way, choosing a solar pool heater should remain the priority, as it is important to choose the eco-friendly solution where possible.