How Well Do Solar Pool Heaters Work? | The Cost Of Solar Pool Heating

Curious about the cost of solar pool heating? Want to know how well solar pool heaters work?

Uncover the answers in this post

  If you're reading this post, then you're probably trying to weigh out the pros and cons of solar pool heaters. You might be thinking about installing a solar pool heating system in your pool, or you might be comparing them to other pool heaters. Wherever you stand, this post will walk you through everything you need to know about solar pool heating. From the different types of heating systems and how they work to heating speed and installation costs. As with any pool heater, solar pool heaters come with their own set of benefits and limitations that all pool owners should know about before making a decision. So if you're looking to knock out of all of your solar pool heating research in one spot, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to learn how well solar pool heaters work, how much they cost you, and more.  

How Well Do Solar Pool Heaters Work? | The Cost Of Solar Pool Heaters

   

How do solar pool heaters work?

To answer this essential question, let's first answer and even better one: What is a solar pool heater? Two major components comprise a solar pool heater: Solar heating panels & a swimming pool pump Yup, just those two parts make up a "solar pool heater". Unlike a pool heat pump or gas pool heater, a solar pool heater isn't a physical heating unit, but instead two separate parts working as one. This is why they're more commonly referred to as solar pool heating systems (a lot less confusing). So now that we've properly defined a solar pool heater, let's talk about how they work. How solar pool heaters work:
  • Pool pump sends water through the pipes to a diverter valve
  • Diverter valve sends water up the pipe leading to the solar panels
    • Solar panels are usually positioned on top of a roof, on fence, or a ground-level platform facing the south
  • Water slowly travels up through the panels, heating as it passes through
  • Heated water travels down the panel's outlet pipe
  • A check valve, which prevents back cycling between cold and heated water, directs warm water into the pool
 

What's the cost of solar pool heating?

Here's the question nearly every pool owner wants to know the answer to right away. Since a solar pool heater's greatest selling point is "free heat", it's assumed that they're relatively low cost. Although certainly a cost-effective option, there are a few important factors to consider regarding the overall cost of solar heating on both a short term and long term scale. How much does a solar pool heater cost to install? Solar pool heating systems range in price from a low of $3,000 to a high of about $9,000. That said, the average cost a solar pool heater installation falls in the $5,000 range. The price of installation is based on a few factors, including:
  • The size of your pool
  • The type of panels you purchase
  • Your available sun exposure
  • The amount of additional work needed for installation
That gives you a good idea of how much it'll cost to install a solar pool heating system, but you're probably still wondering: How much does it cost to heat pool with a solar pool heater? Although the solar heat your panels harvest will certainly be free of charge, the electricity you need to pump water through your system isn't. In order to warm your water, you need to make sure it can travel through the solar panels. So expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $200 each month on electricity for powering your solar pool heating system (the filter pump). Related: 7 Best Ways To Lower Your Swimming Pool Bills By Up To 50%  

What are the different types of solar pool heaters?

There are two main types of solar pool heating systems:  

Propylene mats

These are the more economical option. Propylene solar pool heating systems consist of a series of thin mats, each containing small veins or tubes within.  Water travels through these veins as it flows through the mats. Two PVC pipes hold the mat together — one on top and one on bottom — through which water enters and exits the solar array.  

Glazed solar panels