Sometimes, you want nothing more than to take a dip in the pool in wintertime… but you’re not really looking forward to the sudden shock of cold that’s bound to come with it. Of course, you could invest in an electric pool heater, but you’re not too fond of the electricity bills that will follow, and you’re definitely not looking to contribute to the energy crisis…

If that’s your train of thought these days when temperatures are dropping all over the Gold Coast, we’ve got just the thing for you: Solar Pool Heaters!

Solar pool heaters are your go-to option if you want to enjoy pool parties even in cold weather, while also conserving your electricity bills, AND reducing your carbon footprint! What’s not to like?

How Do Solar Pool Heaters Work?

Solar pool heaters are powered by solar energy which is capable of heating the water temperature of your swimming pool to a considerable degree! (Our Heatseeker Suntuf solar pool heater can even transform your swimming pool into a tropical oasis, with large heat rises of over 10 degrees!) While solar pool heaters come in different sizes and with slightly different features based on brand and make, any solar pool heater always comes equipped with the following three basic components:

Solar collector

Solar collectors are smooth panels that are mounted on your roof to store and collect solar energy from the sun. This is the unit that is responsible for the actual process of heating up your swimming pool.

Pool Pump

A pool pump circulates the water through the solar pool heating system.

Pool filter

A pool filter ensures that there’s no debris in your swimming pool. No one wants to swim in a pool that has leaves floating in it, or gunk at the bottom!

A solar pool heater operates in a fairly straightforward manner, using the above three basic, integrated components—there are a lot of fancy mechanics involved.

The pool pump pumps the water in your swimming pool into the pool filter; and ensures the removal of dirt and debris. The water thus cleaned is then directed to the solar pool heating system— the solar collector panels— through a series of plumbing valves. The water collected at the bottom of the panels then rises to the top through a series of individual tubes. The swimming pool water is heated as it makes its way up these tubular panels to the top of the solar collectors. Finally, the water thus heated is circulated back to the swimming pool, and the process begins anew.

Some solar pool heaters also have sensors that alert the system when the collector temperature is sufficiently greater than the pool temperature. In this case, automatic or manual valves are used to divert water through the collectors. They will still be filtered, but they will not be heated.

Solar pool heaters don’t come in handy just during the winter months— they’re also pretty useful in the summer. Swimming pool water can be cooled by being circulated in the solar panels on summer nights, which means you get to have a refreshing swim in colder water!

Glazed and Unglazed Solar Pool Collectors

Solar pool collectors come in two forms: glazed and unglazed.

Glazed solar pool collectors are made of copper tubing on an aluminium plate with iron-tempered glass covering. This enables them to absorb more sunlight, and thus makes them applicable to a wider range of temperatures. The material used for glazed solar pool collectors means they are comparatively more expensive as compared to unglazed solar pool collectors.

Unglazed solar collectors are coated with rubber or plastic and treated with an ultraviolet light inhibitor to extend the life of the system. Unglazed solar collectors have no glass covering. Due to their cheaper parts, unglazed solar collectors are much less expensive and maybe slightly less efficient than glazed solar collectors. They operate on the same principle as that of a garden hose heating up the water inside it; if left out in the sun for long enough.

If you want to invest in a state-of-the-art solar pool heating strip collector that’s certifiably the most advanced in the world in terms of make and efficiency, look no further than our NanoTek solar pool heating strips! They have increased capacity as well as a higher rate of solar power transfer, in addition to being made of extremely high quality material.

Are Solar Pool Heaters Expensive?

Solar pool heaters are actually the most economical way to heat your pool! While other types of swimming pool heaters have operational costs in addition to the upfront cost, solar pool heaters will only cost you an upfront payment. On average, this upfront payment is calculated to be between $2400-$2500. Because solar pool heaters are powered by solar energy and not electricity or gas, they are a much more economical option as compared to electric heating pumps or gas pool heaters which require a considerable amount in operational expenses.

Solar pool heaters also don’t cost as much in terms of maintenance. Check out our Heatseeker Plus solar pool heating system, which in addition to its high efficiency rate, also collects less debris thus ensuring consistent performance AND eliminating any need for routine maintenance checks!

Are Solar Pool Heaters Worth It?

Upfront Cost

The upfront cost of solar pool heating systems, in addition to the many moving parts that make it look like it would take a very complicated process to assemble and install the whole system, are factors that often discourage buyers from investing in solar pool heaters. But we’re here to tell you that that definitely should not be the case.

The upfront cost of solar pool heaters is absolutely worth the investment, considering their performance and durability. Specifically designed to withstand the harshest Australian climates, our Rhino solar pool heating panels and Ultimate Blue Solar Pool heating system, are testimony to the longevity of solar pool heaters. Most properly installed, high quality solar pool heaters will last up to 20 years, with Rhino solar pool heating panels even offering an unmatched warranty of 25 years!

Also, you can realize a return on your upfront investment, because the energy you obtain from it is virtually free of charge.

Clean Energy

In addition to certified claims of higher efficiency rates, solar pool heaters are also worth investing in due to the fact that they’re environmentally friendly. Solar pool heaters run on clean energy that emits zero toxins; and minimizes your carbon footprint.

Quiet Operation

Solar pool heaters don’t contribute to noise pollution either—they operate quietly, which means you don’t have to struggle to hear your thoughts over the sound of a pool heater that’s running in the background!

Visual Appeal

One of the best things about solar pool heaters is that you don’t have to worry about them becoming an eyesore in your garden as most other complicated mechanical systems are wont to do. In fact, solar pool heaters often have the opposite effect in that they add to the visual appeal and property value of your house, with the sophisticated and elegant look of smooth solar panels.

No in-ground plumbing

Unlike with gas pool heaters, solar pool heating systems don’t require in-ground plumbing, so your grass remains intact, too. It’s a win on all grounds (pun intended)!

How to Choose the Best Solar Pool Heater for your Pool

There are a few factors you may want to consider when choosing the best solar pool heater for your pool. Make sure to choose a solar pool heater that’s within your budget range, and one that will fit within your space. Opt for a solar pool heater that complies with the standards of efficiency you’re looking for. You can choose from the solar heating products we have up on our website. And you can always contact us if you need help choosing the solar pool heater that’s just right for you!