Solar Heating systems
Clearwater has found that heating your pool with a Solar Pool Heating System is the most cost effective way to heat it. A Solar Pool Heating System will save enough money to pay for itself within two years and provided pool heating energy for your enjoyment for many years to come.


Installation of Solar pool Heating Systems
To get the full benefits of any solar pool heating installation you require a roof area large enough to accomodate the solar panels, with a southern or south / west exposure to the sun. A relatively low slope is ideal, If this is not an option, we can add more panels to a steep roof or install the solar system on a ground rack instead.

The Solar collector area will depend on the size of your pool. A rough estimate of 50% of the pools surface area is a minimum requirement for panel coverage. (length X width X .5) The amount of sun you will receive, direction your roof faces will also add to the amount of Solar collectors needed. It could be as much as 100% the area of the pool surface.

Solar panels come in 4 ft by 8, 10 or 12ft combinations. You will receive about 1000 BTU per square foot of solar collectors. Lets say you are heating with a typical gas heater, and it is rated at 250,000 BTU. You would be required at least the same number of BTU’s from your solar collectors. Example 6 – 4 x 12 ft panels would give you 288,000 BTU’s. Enough to give you the same heating capacity that you have with this size of gas heating unit. (BTU rates from Fafco panels)

The Pump
If you have at least a 3/4 HP pump, you will be fine. Most pools have 1HP or 1.5HP pumps already. The key is not to have too much power or the water will be forced through the panels too fast, and the panels will not heat efficiently, but enough power to flow the water 5 to 7 ft. per second.

Solar Controls
Solar heating is completely automatic in a properly designed and installed system. When your pool requires heat the automatic control diverts the water coming from the filter to the solar collectors. This will only happen if the solar collectors are receiving solar energy. Water will be heated until the preset temperature is reached or until no solar energy is available.

Operation and Maintenance
Solar Pool Heaters are extremely easy to operate. Turn the switch on the control to Auto at the beginning of your pool season and set the temperature you wish to maintain. At the end of your pool season turn the unit to the Off position. That’s it. It’s either on or off. It is that simple to use. Just like a thermostate in your home for the furnace.

Regular maintenance involves keeping your pool clean and in proper PH balance. We recommend that you turn your system off when cleaning, backwashing or shocking the pool. Periodically, check the solar panels for the accumulation of leaves. If present, we recommend that the leaves be removed to allow the solar panels to function at full capacity.

When it is time to close your pool, you'll be required to empty the water from the solar collectors. In a similar fashion to winterizing your pool. Clearwater Pool Service recommends that you contact our team to close the pool for the Winter season. Solar panels that are not properly drained and closed will freeze during the winter months and be damaged. This would effect your warranty and the life of your solar panels.

Life of collectors.
Swimming pool solar collectors have a life expectancy of at least 15 to 20 years if properly maintained on a regular basis. We have many customers that have their roof shingles replaced before the panels are replaced. If you happen to find yourself in this situation, Clearwater Pool Service can remove the solar panels and reinstall them when the work is completed.

Limitations
Solar heaters do have limitations. They need sun to work. On rainy or cloudy days your pools solar system will not be generating heat due to the lack of solar energy. We recommend that you use a solar blanket to help to keep the heated water in your pool to its desired temperature.

The cost of installing a solar pool heating system is about the same as a gas heater would cost. The difference is the payback from the solar. You will keep the money you would pay for gas, and within one or two seasons your solar system will be paid for.

In the Ottawa Ontario region a typical season with a gas powered heater will cost about $2000.00 for an average size pool. An electric powered heat pump would be the same or more. The average cost of a solar heating system for an in-ground pool would be $2500.00 to $4500.00 plus taxes. Installing a Solar pool heating system, with a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years makes economic sense. A solar pool heating system will save you thousands in the years to come while providing you with a warm and comfortable pool.

Clearwater Pool Service specializes in the installation and service of Solar Pool Heating systems. Let our team custom design a system that is right for you.

Call or email us for a free estimate 613-880-8769 or inquiries@clearwatersolarsystems.com

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