Need to Know
- Cheaper to run than gas or electricity to heat your swimming pool
- Low maintenance
- Can also be more effective with pool covers
Solar pool heating is a cost-effective alternative to gas or heat pump pool heaters. Solar pool heaters capture energy from the sun through a solar collector (usually installed on a north-facing roof of a building close to the pool). The pool water is pumped through tubes sitting on top of the solar collector and returned to the pool at a warmer temperature. You can also cool the pool by circulating the water at night to reduce the temperature.
Solar heating is a cost-effective way to heat your pool. The average cost of a system, including installation, is between $3,000 and $6,000, which can be recouped in energy savings. Systems can also last more than 10 years without needing repair or replacement, making them a low-maintenance option.
Solar heating systems can warm pool water in warm climates, but their effectiveness may be limited in cooler areas with frequent cloudy or rainy conditions, and may be slow to achieve consistent temperatures. Factors like the size of your pool, your desired pool temperature and the length of the swimming season will impact the size of your solar hot water system. Ideally, your solar collector area should cover at least 80 to 100 percent of the size of your pool in metres squared.
Solar Pool Covers
You can supplement your solar pool heating system with a solar pool cover. Solar pool covers enable you to save more of the sun’s warmth – on some days, your pool can warm up to 8˚C. On top of warming up the pool water, solar pool also cut down on water lost to evaporation. They typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000.
All solar pool water heating systems should be installed by a licensed professional, and it is essential to consult with them first to make sure you are choosing the most efficient heating system for your pool.