Is a solar pool heater worth the investment? It’s a question the swimming pool contractors from Tipton Pools get asked all the time. It is a very personal decision, but for those pool owners who want to extend the swim season by opening the pool early or keeping it open longer at the end of the season, the investment is worth it.
If you’re already heating the pool water, a switch to solar may be worth the investment on the money you will save once it’s installed and paid for. Solar heaters are efficient and help reduce your carbon footprint. If you currently have a pool heater and it’s old and not energy-efficient, an upgrade to solar might make sense.
Over time you will see a return on the investment you put into your swimming pool’s solar, heater but it is an upfront investment that could be costly.
Is a solar pool heater worth the investment?
When you weigh the cost of your swimming pool by the number of weeks or months you can comfortably swim without a pool water heater, you may find the investment in a solar heater worth it. Every pool owner we know wants to swim for as many months of the year as they can; no one wants to look in the backyard at a pool that is covered more months than it is used.
Here are items to consider when deciding if you want a solar pool water heater:
- Do you regularly use a pool cover? If you’re not diligent in using a pool cover, any heated water will escape and the heater — no matter what type — will struggle to maintain a comfortable water temperature.
- If you swim laps and want to swim year round, a solar heater could efficiently help you do that.
- If your swimming pool holds close to 20,000 gallons of water, it could mean you would have to run a traditional pool heater for TWO DAYS before the water was warm enough to swim. A solar heater can keep the water at a steady comfortable temperature so it’s ready when you are.
- If you live in a sunny part of the country, you have a free source of pool water heat at your disposal. Keep in mind, though that you don’t have to live in Arizona to use a solar heater — as long as the sun shines you can heat the water.
- If the pool doesn’t receive much direct sunlight and is in a mostly shaded area the solar heater won’t effectively have the heat source it requires to warm the water. If your pool is surrounded by trees or even if your neighbor’s houses cast shade on the pool, the solar heater will have a harder time keeping the pool water warm.
There are many logistical thoughts to keep in mind when considering a solar pool water heating unit. Give us a call and let’s do a site review of your home and the pool’s placement and talk about the cost and the return on investment with the installation of a solar pool heater.