SOLAR POOL HEATING SYSTEMS
For many Angelinos a dip in the pool is the best way to cool-off and relax, but even in our mild winters the water can be quite nippy. The sun can make sure your pool stays at the most comfortable temperature all year round. During the winter run the pool heating system during the day to heat the pool and in the summer the system can be run at night to cool the pool, an option you can't get with most pool heat pumps.
In these systems, pool water circulates through a large heat exchange surface, usually located on your roof, and absorbs the sun's energy. The principle is similar to the way your car radiator works, only these solar heat exchangers collect heat instead of radiating it. Most solar "collectors" are flat black panels manufactured from high technology plastics or metal which have been designed to resist weather and ultraviolet radiation.
So why, you ask, doesn't every pool have a solar heating system? Solar pool heating systems do require an initial up front investment, but a properly sized system with a life span of 15-20 years can pay for itself with energy savings within 2-to-3 years.
|
 |
| SOLAR POOL HEATING COMPONENT |
- Solar Collectors
- Diverter Valve
- Differential Controller
- Piping
Additionally, your pools existing pump, filter, and check valve are also part of the system.
The swimming pool water is directly heated by pumping it through a solar collector. This is the same principle that is used an open-loop solar water heating system. However, due to the larger volume of water, the lower temperature requirements, and seasonal use pattern, the collectors used for pool heating are simpler and less expensive than those used for solar water heating.
A solar pool collector is simply a black absorber plate which converts the Sun's radiant energy into heat. The absorber plate has parallel tubes, called risers, running through it. The risers are connected at each end by manifolds. The manifolds are the inlet and outlet pipes to the collector.
The diverter valve is used to direct the flow of water through the system.
|
 |
| If the water needs to be heated, the diverter is opened and it will send the water to the collectors. Otherwise, it will close in order to bypass the pool collectors and circulate the water back to the pool.
A differential controller determines whether the diverter valve should be opened or closed. The controller measures the temperature of the water in the pool and the water in the solar collectors. If the temperature in the collectors is at least 4 degrees F higher than the pool water and the pool is below the desired temperature set by the homeowner, the controller opens the diverter valve.
With those components in place, you now have a solar heated pool!
|
| DIRECT PUMP |
The direct pumped system, has one or more solar energy collectors installed on the roof and a storage tank somewhere below. A pump circulates the water from the tank up to the collector and back again. This is called a direct (or open loop) system because the sun's heat is transferred directly to the water circulating through the collector tubing and storage tank; no anti-freeze solution or heat exchanger is involved. This system typically has a differential controller that senses temperature differences between water leaving the solar collector and the coldest water in the storage tank. When the water in the collector is about 15-20ƒ F warmer than the water in the tank, the pump is turned on by the controller. When the temperature difference drops to about 3-5ƒ F, the pump is turned off.
|
| INDIRECT PUMP |
The indirect pumped system, design is common in northern climates, where freezing weather occurs more frequently. An antifreeze solution circulates through the collector, and a heat exchanger transfers the heat from the antifreeze solution to the tank water. In this system a heat transfer solution is pumped through the collector in a closed loop. The loop includes the collector, connecting piping, the pump, an expansion tank and a heat exchanger.
A heat exchanger coil in the lower half of the storage tank transfers heat from the heat transfer solution to the water in the solar storage tank. An alternative of this design is to wrap the heat exchanger around the tank. This keeps it from contact with potable water. |
| USING POOL COVERS |
Did you know that evaporation accounts for 70% of a pool's total heat loss?!!!
The best way to minimize heat loss due to evaporation is to use a pool cover. There are a couple of different types to consider.
The first type of pool cover is a solar blanket. These covers are similar to the bubble wrap used as packing protection. In addition to reducing heat loss due to evaporation, their transparent design helps to collect and trap solar thermal energy. This can help the pool stay an extra 5-10 degrees F warmer. This type of simple pool cover can be purchased for around $100 to $200, depending on the size needed.
Vinyl covers are a second type.
These are more durable than solar blankets, but are also more expensive. You can find insulated and uninsulated vinyl covers. Since they are heavier than the bubble covers, you will probably want to get a reel to help roll the cover up. This will make the placement and removal of the cover easier. This type of pool cover ranges in price from a couple of hundred dollars to over $1000, depending on size, type of cover, and type of reel.
Investing in a pool cover is important if you want to get the most out of your pool's solar heating system and extend your swimming season. |
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or sugestions and someone will be in touch with you
| Please fill-out form below |
|
|
|
