Home Improvement Ideas

Archive for the ‘Swimming Pools’ Category

When having Carlton Pools build your pool, you may ask the questions, “Why not go strictly solar for heating my pool? After all, it’s free.” Not exactly – in fact, not by a long shot. An adequate solar pool heating system will cost considerably more initially than other form of heating. It can add 25% to 50% to the cost of building a pool.

Solar systems can definitely have restrictions. To begin with, they require enough area in which to install large collector panels, usually on a roof or deck overhang near the pool. Even in an area like Florida, the total solar collector area needs to be at least equal to 75% (100 % is better) of the pool surface area. This means that if you have a 20 x 40 pool you should have a 20 x 40 collector area available for best results.

You probably would have to increase the size of your electric pump – or provide a second pump – to deliver the pool water to the collector panels. And the pump would have to work almost continuously during most sunlight hours. This means your pump would be running during “peak load” periods when the utilities’ generating plants are often taxed to capacity – and when they charge more per kilowatt than during “off peak” periods.

Solar heating systems heat slowly – and not at all in cloudy, cool periods. Depending on the collector size and your location and climate, a solar system may not be able to warm the water to your desired temperature, even in the swimming season, except in the afternoon. And there is just not enough solar energy to heat your pool for swimming in the winter, early spring or late fall – no matter how many hours you pump.

However, Solar pool heating systems do reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If this is what is important to you, Carlton Pools will provide any heating system that fits your needs.

Written By: Phillip Thow