Solar Pool Heaters

In The Swim Knowledge Pool: Solar Pool Heaters

Harness the Power of the Sun

In The Swim has solar pool heaters for inground pools and solar pool heaters for above ground pools. Capture the sun´s energy and put it to work heating your swimming pool! Solar pool heaters work well in all parts of the U.S., placed in any backyard area with daily unobstructed sun. Modular above ground pool solar heaters connect quickly to the pool return hose, and inground solar heaters are mounted to a nearby roof, rack or fence. 

Pool Solar Heater Benefits

• •  Most affordable pool heater you can buy, and free to operate
• •  Environmentally friendly - no emissions, and no fuel used
• •  Simple DIY installation by any handy homeowner

The best feature of solar pool heaters is the free pool heat, after a low initial cost. In addition, solar pool heaters start great backyard conversations!

How Solar Heaters Work: Inground or above ground solar pool heaters circulate pool water through black tubes that absorb the sun’s heat. A solar panel bypass allows you to control the flow rate through the solar panels and turn the system off during rainy days or after dark. Facing the solar panels in a southern direction, tipped towards the sun will increase solar heating; 6 hours of daily, unobstructed sun is best for optimum heating.

Will Solar Pool Heaters Work on My Pool? Solar pool heaters will work well across the entire country, as long as you have a sunny spot near your pool pump that gets 4-6 hours of direct sun. Heat output depends on several factors, including the size of the solar system in relation to the pool, whether or not the pool is covered, and how many hours of daily sun the pool and solar panels receive. Good-sized solar heater systems can add between 15-20° F to your pool water, in all regions of the country, and smaller solar systems can easily add 5-10° F. 

How Many Solar Panels are Needed? The more solar panel surface area you have (Sq. Ft.), the more solar energy you can transfer to the pool water. Inground solar heaters are typically sized to 40-50% of the pool surface area, but shallower above ground solar heaters are best sized to match 20-30% of the pool surface area. Calculate the pool surface area in square feet, and then use the multiplier to buy enough solar panels to match the result. The more solar panels you add, the greater the heat gain. 

Solar Pool Heater Installation

Above ground solar pool heaters are built for simple installation. Simply cut the return hose and connect the hose ends to the bypass kit, to allow you to reduce the flow rate into the solar panels (slower is best for heat absorption). Using a 3-way diverter valve, or two 2-way valves will allow you to bypass the solar panels completely, during rainy days or after dark, or if the pool becomes too warm. 

Inground pool solar heaters may require advance planning for placement of the 10' or 20' long solar panels, and some PVC plumbing to route the water into and out of the solar panels. Our 10' and 20' panels can be placed directly on the ground, but for best results, mount onto a roof or rack, facing south. The Bypass Valve Kit is used for control of flow into the solar panels, and to bypass the system completely during inclement weather, and at night.    

In The Swim solar pool heater experts are happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding solar pool heating or any of In the Swim’s pool supplies. Give us a call anytime at 1-800-288-7946.