Everything you need to know about finding a Solar Pool Heating Expert

Solar pool heating has come a long way in recent years. Environmentally friendly, energy efficient and economical are just some of the reasons solar beats other types of pool heating hands down.

Using your pool for more of the year is attractive to anyone, particularly those living in the southern states of Australia. And using the free energy of the sun to heat pool water just makes perfect sense.

Solar Pool Heating: Characteristics

• How it works: The use of a solar-powered heat pump to warm your pool or spa works on the same principles as any other solar system. Solar pool heating involves placing pipes upon the roof of the home (usually north facing). The pool water is pumped via the pipes to a solar collector and the water is heated up via the sun’s energy. Depending upon where you live, up to 80% of the surface area of the pool is required in piping. Your existing solar pool pump is used to pump water to the collector from the pool.
• Alternative energy sources: Using solar energy to heat your pool is a lot cheaper than gas, LPG and grid electricity. It also produces a lot less greenhouse gas.
• Automated system: When choosing a solar pool heating system, you have the option of a standard or automatic digital system. With the automatic type, the system regulates itself according to how much heat is available and how warm you want the water. When a certain difference between the external temperature (ambient) and the pool temperature is reached, the automated system turns itself on or off.
• Roof types: The weight of the system usually doesn’t prohibit certain types of roofs being eligible for solar pool heating.
• Roof orientation/slope: Solar systems are more efficient when facing north. However, west facing might be suitable and flat roofs are also fine. 
• Size: The size you require depends upon the size of the surface area of your pool, available roof space, its location (i.e. northern or southern part of Australia) and the colour of collector you select. This will give you the percentage of collector you will need.
• Durability: Solar pool heating systems are usually resistant to freezing, corrosion, UV radiation and pool chemicals. The lifespan of the system can be up to about 30 years.
  

Specialist Solar Pool Heating Providers

Initial consultation with a specialist solar pool heating provider will work out the size of the collector/absorber required for your specific position and requirements. Quotes can then be presented. Specialist companies can tailor make the system to fit unusual spots and they can be installed almost anywhere to catch maximum sun. Don’t fret if your roof is not north facing. An expert will be able to advise you of options. There’s also solar pool heating kits available from specialist providers.