Which Solar Pool Heaters Are Considered the Best?

Type of System

• Several types of solar pool heater systems are available. In passive systems, the water circulates through the collector panel where it is heated, then passes into the pool, while fresh water enters the collector. With active systems, the water is heated in the collector and then pumped into an insulated tank and, in solar electric systems, the energy collected by solar panels works to heat the water electrically. The best system for you depends on a number of factors.

Size

• For the solar pool heater to work optimally, the surface area of the collector panels should equal at least half the size of your pool’s surface, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s website Energy Savers.gov. If the climate in your region is cooler and you experience more clouds, increasing the ratio can help to balance this. The larger the surface of solar collectors in relation to the pool size, the more warmth is generated by the system and the longer your swimming season will be.

Efficiency

• To determine which systems are the best in terms of efficiency, request the thermal performance rating of the collector panels from the supplier. The rating is measured in British thermal units per square foot per day, or in mega joules per meter per day. The more efficient the collector is, the higher the number of Btu or MJs collected. Check if the data were collected under comparable conditions, such as on days with similar hours of sunlight in similar climates. EnergySavers.gov considers thermal performances comparable if the ratings are within 25 Btu per square foot of each other per day.

Cost

• Comparison of the costs of the various systems will enable you to determine if you can realize savings by investing in a more expensive system that requires fewer collector panels. For example, if you purchase a system that has a tank in which to store water heated by the panels, the heating requirements may not be as constant. In addition, insulation of the pipes and tank help prevent heat loss, which also reduces the need for a higher surface area of collectors.

Installation

• Choosing the best system also depends on the installation requirements. For example, the collectors must be installed facing the direction of the day's greatest sunlight. The panels require positioning at an angle between 15 and 45 degrees facing into the sun, unhindered by shade from trees or other buildings. Calculate the space and weight requirements for the size system you need and identify the proposed location and its capacity to bear the weight.