Solar Pool Heating

Solar Pool Heating

There are various pool heating options available, the most energy-efficient and cost-effective way is to use Solar Pool Heating panels manufactured from high quality UV protected HDPE plastic materials.

The process uses the sun’s energy to warm your pool in the following manner. Your current pool pump draws water from your pool via the weir, and pumps it to your roof via two pipes that are installed to the wall of your home. The water circulates through the solar heated collectors on your roof, and returns the warm water back into your pool on the return line.

The panels heat output is dependant on the season, hence to average the performance out you can expect the following heat increase in your pool depending on the time of year/season.

• Summer: 7-12 deg increase of your current pool water temperature.
• Winter: 3-5 deg increase of your current pool water temperature.

If you have a solar blanket/cover installed, then the increases could be much greater as there will be minimal heat loss.

Why should you heat your pool?

The average pool owner in South Africa only uses his pool for 3 months of the year because the water is simply to cold to swim in the rest of the time. By installing a Pool heating system or a heat pump, you can now enjoy your pool all year round, thus getting the most from your swimming pool investment. You and your family will experience hours of fun in the pool.

Advantages of our Solar Panels

• Single tube design so can be easily repaired if a leak occurs
• The panels can breathe on the roof so no moisture can build up underneath and the roof gets heated too and provides extra heat onto the panels
• There is very little wind load so panels cannot be blown away
• Easy to install
• Modular system so one can add panels and upgrade at anytime with minimal fuss

When you are considering installing a Solar pool heating system, here are some of the things one must consider:

• Swimming pool size/dimensions, or volume of water
• Roof orientation and shading that roof maybe exposed to (trees casting shade etc)
• Pool and roof colour ( helps with the absorption of heat)
• Amount of shade and wind that the pool is exposed to
• Your desired swimming season
• Size of Pool pump and Sand filter
• Height of Roof(Single or double story) if double a minimum of a 1.1kw pool pump will be required.
• and pipe run from the pool pump location to the wall of building, where panels will be installed.

 

Solar Installation

Suncontrol has been in the Solar industry for a number of years and we want to provide our customer with the most efficient pool heating system to provide maximum performance.

• The panels are installed on a suitable facing roof that is as close to North as possible
• The panels are secured by using galvanised wire that is attached to the battens under the tiles or by Pop rivets (sealed properly) if it’s a metal roof
• The pipes are run over the gutter or parapet wall and down to the pool pump motor.
• A bypass & non return valve is installed on the wall for the client to regulate the heat.
• Two extra valves for isolating the system completely is optional.
• The connection is made into the current pump filtration system, generally after the filter.

We will advise you on the perfect solar pool heating system required for your location, and take into account such things as: High wind areas, Roof type, Roof position and the pipe runs etc….

So you can be assured of a Quality installation every time and backed by our 1 year workmanship installation guarantee & 12 year Panel guarantee against leaks.

Pool Heating

Our installations

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Solar Pool Heating FAQ

Why heat my pool?

When you bought your pool, it was for many reasons like having fun with the family, entertaining friends, exercise, those quiet relaxing moments or perhaps even for therapeutic reasons. I bet, you spent a lot of time making the decision to invest in a quality swimming pool, furniture, fencing and accompanying items that go along with a pool. With this kind of investment, you are expecting to get the most use out of your pool. If your pool is frequently too cold (22 degrees & below) swimming is extremely uncomfortable. You are not making full use of your investment. Solar pool heating can effectively double the length of your pool season, by extending it to between 8 to 10 months of the year.

Millions of people worldwide enjoy having a solar heated swimming pool. Heating swimming pools is today the largest use of solar energy in the world and there are good reasons for this.

Savings: The initial cost of a Solar system for a pool or spa is about 35% of the use of a heat pump. Therefore savings are guaranteed with a solar heated pool.

Reliability and safety: Solar heating systems have no heat exchangers, that fail from corrosion, no fan motors or compressors to break down. no re-gassing, therefore no maintenance is required. Your investment in a solar heating system is protected by a 12-year warranty on leaking panels. Solar systems have been in use for many years. Solar systems use no gas or electricity, they just keep heating your pool quietly, safely and reliably, year after year using your existing pool pump.

Protect the environment: You can enjoy the comfort of your solar heated pool, knowing that you are using an environmentally friendly energy source, while you conserve our natural resources.

Remember the Sun rays are free, Harness the elements today!

How much do solar panels weigh?

Single density Panels: Empty 6kg | with water 12kg
Double Density panels: Empty 10kg | with water 16kg
*Above are approximate weights.

What are the monthly running costs to heat my pool with solar Panels?
Solar energy is FREE, so there are no running costs!
Do the solar Panels have to be North facing?

North facing is not necessary. The solar panels should be installed where the sun is on them from at least 10am to 3 pm each day. Depending on the angle of the mounting surface, east and west facing systems can function equally as well. Solar panels can be fitted on any roof, including a flat roof.

Will my pool pump be suitable or big enough?

80% of swimming pools have a pump rating of 0.75kW or 1.1kW installed. These pumps will effectively circulate your pool water through the solar panels with very little extra load. The specifications for the speck pumps are as follows:

0.45 kW- at 4m dynamic head, will pump 14.5 sq.m/hr of water
0.75 kW- at 9m dynamic head, will pump 14.5 sq.m/hr of water
1.1 kW- at 16m dynamic head, will pump 14.5 sq.m/hr of water
1.5 kW- at 22m dynamic head, will pump 14.5 sq.m/hr of water