On top of that, these solar pool heaters are made in the USA! Pool covers minimize evaporation and they are the most effective way to reduce pool heating costs. And dont worry about the costs to re-heat the water later, as the DOE says Its a myth that it takes more energy to heat a pool back up to a desired temperature than you save by lowering the temperature or turning off the heater.. This intelligent pump can cut the pool portion of utility bills up to 90%*, saving you hundreds of dollars per year and thousands Quick connects allow for easy assembly. In a study of 120 Florida pools, researchers found that 0.75 HP pumps were sufficient for most pools and smaller pumps can be used if you install a larger filter, increase pipe diameter and decrease length, and replace 90 pipe bends with 45 degree bends or flexible pipes. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. A, y4qjQ1jXjYjGwgY5hju4(We7'0-R1\O\~MX1vwr~/wvssD/u3`42Qy3mfiMWi2>=_?fsnb$-Gr#O?AxV F:jY:+N'%C?R:DzAgIoyYJ"kYG'Z]BCPWJlSP-PufOM%nd@Euau5`cW3m{K~K~[ `r8,$b ,NTVr(Q]Id@P2aZu 8Gg>9c~/w"_gL_?YwZqZZ&oz$y?qsnm"YmN>[YJVgD&K`KFlN[?z{ze/;o:_w;+^G~#pQq?2Ra>~Wp#r8#4Q-#sXska995KXs k.a%5\KXs k9yk9yk%y k^%y k^%y ka55\p~r Xgh;g D' }h Smartpool recommends varying numbers of heaters depending on the size of the pool: The manufacturer says its solar water heaters raise water temperature by 6 to 10, and customers corroborate this. On the safety front, this pump features a built-in Safety Vacuum Release Its total size is 43x 27 (8 square feet) and weighs about 25 pounds, so its best for small applications and easy for a single individual to pick up and move. The SunSaver ST Solar Collector is manufactured in Chico,California. Go out and inspect your proposed installation spot at different times of the day to ensure there will be no shade issues. can mean solar pool heaters can be very cost-effective when compared to traditional gas heaters or electric heat pumps in the long run. If youre looking for reliable and ultra-efficient products, Fafco can certainly cover you, but keep in mind they are much more expensive than the many other options on our list. Just set the digital thermostat and the SolarTouch controller will monitor the temperature of the pool water and solar collectors. It also gives you one-touch control over additional heaters, valves, pool lights, landscape lights, water features and more. In fact, there are a few other tricks that are much easier and less expensive that can help keep some money in your wallet. First off, these bendable collectors are 28 inches by 20 feet long, for a total of 40 square feet. The collector is a specially developed, highly stabilized polyolefin and is of parallel, circular channel design with separated tubes. Panel Clamp assembly for Heliocol Swimming Pool Solar Panels - HC-113 - 4 Pack, 3/4" New vacuum relief valve for Heliocol Pool Solar Panels - New White. Unlike the other products on our list, Fafcos SunSaver collectors are manufactured of rigid, UV-resistant polymer, so you cant roll them up. You can read more on sizing your solar pool heater in the section below. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Fafco claims these are the highest performing solar collectors on the market, as each collector contains 2x as many tubes as other solar pool collectors and the greater surface area can heat water more efficiently. SunSaver extends your swim Its high review scores and extremely low cost means its the perfect solar pool heater for those just starting out in the renewable energy world. If the item details above arent accurate or complete, we want to know about it. And, WhisperFlo is designed to be a tireless workhorse. An IntelliTouch Control System takes the work and worry out of scheduling and See our price match guarantee. Electrolytic Chlorine Generation is the easiest, most effective and convenient way to keep pool water sparkling clean. The result is that pumps are notorious energy hogs that cost hundredsoften more than $1,000per year to operate. Four-function systems are typically used to control pool and/or spa operation plus pool or spa lights and heaters. 206 0 obj <>stream Inside the collectors, the water runs through thin pipes usually made of copper or plastic where the sun heats it to the desired temperature. By going with a solar pool heating system, you'll be able to save money on your electric bill, and the heating panels will also take the unnecessary strain off of your pool pump. Additionally, the flow chamber and flow metering holes between the header pipes and collector tubes will maximize circulation and heating efficiency. Integral by-pass valve, to turn your system on and off as needed. While not a huge issue, this does require a bit of planning beforehand. At the same time, an IntelliTouch system makes sure all your equipment operates at peak efficiency for minimum energy usage and cost. H " ? You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. An astute reader might wonder if simply installing photovoltaic (PV, the kind that will convert sunlight to electricity) solar panels instead of solar collectors might make more financial sense. Put briefly, solar pool heaters collect sunlight to heat your pools water. 2020 FAFCO, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | FAFCO Inc. Each collector is 4 feet wide by 20 feet long, for a total area of 80 square feet. endstream endobj 207 0 obj <>stream One user noted that the water temperature will reach 90 to 100 degrees on days that see 80 degrees or higher. A single solid 4' x 20' pre-plumbed panel with no need for couplings. Generally speaking, your solar collectors should equal about half of your pools square footage. This innovative hydraulic design moves water more efficiently and more quietly than competitive pumps. A FAFCO solar pool heating system can cost less to install than a gas heater and it instantly adds value to your home and from then on, your heat is free from the sun. And with the hot water running under the solar panels acting as a heat sink, the PV solar cells actually perform more efficiently, since PV panel performance actually decreases as ambient temperature increases. season by heating your pool to a warm, comfortable temperature from spring through fall. The SolarTouch controller gives you the precision and reliability of full digital control. Not only do they extend your soaking season, but a solar pool heater can also help bring down your energy bills. Unlike heat pumps and gas heaters which last about five years solar heaters have no moving internal parts that wear out over time, so solar pool heaters generally last much longer. nX2a+c&`::* 3$&c0V 4I)UNXY)^# However, all systems follow the basic set-up above. The IntelliChlor chlorine generator uses common table salt to produce all the chlorine your pool needs, right in your pool safely, effectively, and automatically. As long as there are no cracks, leaks, or equipment degradation, youre good to go! They come in two different sizes 4 x 10 and 4 x 12 and contain a 2 header pipe for better flow and less strain on your pump. You select from systems that control four or eight accessory functions. Target does not represent or warrant that this information is accurate or complete. The SunSaver Solar Collector is manufactured in Chico, California. Some users even purchase several and hook them up in line for larger in-ground pools. 3 !1AQa"q2B#$Rb34rC%Scs5&DTdEt6UeuF'Vfv7GWgw 5 !1AQaq"2B#R3$brCScs4%&5DTdEU6teuFVfv'7GWgw ? In fact, its 2x as big as the others, making it one of the best solar heater for larger pools, as youll need less equipment and fewer connections that can suffer leaks. In real life, that ROI could extend to 7 years or so if your utility costs are lower than most, you installed premium components that increased your installation costs, or you live in an area with less sunlight. If you have a specific question about this item, you may consult the item's label, contact the manufacturer directly or call Target Guest Services at 1-800-591-3869. The above item details were provided by the Target Plus Partner. They're FAFCO's innovative SunSaver systems. The cheapest type of cover is the bubble cover, similar to bubble wrap for packaging, but heavier. gYMwsuOI>v2-zN$rK{=I-T Or even better, reach out to a few solar installers, as they almost always know exactly what incentives are available. Incentives generally fall under three categories: rebates, tax incentives (both credits and exemptions), and loans. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Excellent price with great customer reviews. They can give you more time in your pool without a huge investment and save you money in the long run. Here are a few examples of whats out there and what you can expect: To see whats available in your area, check out your city, state, and utilitys websites or the DSIRE database, an online repository of renewable energy incentives. 1 R4cCxIUi1/M~ ?> Its engineered thermoplastic housing withstands extreme heat and resists corrosion. Evaporation is the largest source of heat loss for pools. If you decrease your pump size on top of the number of hours your pump is running, you could save up to 75% on your pumps energy use. A pump pulls water from the pool and sends it through a strainer and filter to remove any debris that could clog the system. b&I+l(3wD+^Qi*tVXU x @:{`LScIbv p Solar pool heating is a smart investment. Because of this, many choose not to heat the pool at all, limiting its use to only the hottest days of summer. Dont forget that solar collectors need sunlight! True pool covers are UV-resistant and built to last several seasons in full sun. In an effort to save money, many pool owners with gas heaters tend to turn on their heaters only when they want to swim. In the same Florida study, pool owners who decreased their pump use to just 3 hours per day still reported good water quality and dropped their pumping energy use by 60%! Copyright 2021 - EarthTechling. The collectors are thin rectangular panels, typically installed on your roof. Great customer reviews! Whats more, other pumps rely on induction motor technology, which is far less efficient. Exactly how many collectors you need depends on the size of the pool and the manufacturer typically recommends between one and three. If you have an electric heat pump pool heater, then adding PV panels will certainly help cut down your pools energy use as well as inside your home. A pool cover is simply a vapor barrier. Heres why. Finally-high-performance, easy-to-install solar heating systems for above ground pools! %PDF-1.7 % Obviously, the bigger the pool, the greater your heating needs are and the bigger your solar pool heater will need to be. If you chose to install 4x10 collectors (40 square feet each), youd need around 13 collectors in total for this pool. This includes equipment and installation costs. Solar pool heaters are an excellent way to extend your pools season in the spring and fall, while also cutting down on your pools energy use. These set speeds are almost always higher than required, thereby overpowering the jobs they are assigned to do and wasting energy. If youre looking to extend your season, the SolarPro Curve is one of the best solar heaters for smaller or above-ground pools. You can expect to pay around $1,200 to $3,000 for a good vinyl cover, but with the energy savings youd reap, youd likely pay off the investment in a year or two. While there arent too many reviews for Fafco online, it is one of the best-known brands in the solar pool heating industry and they back up their products with a fantastic 12-year warranty. Solar Heating Systems & Panels for Swimming Pools. When sizing your solar pool heater, youll need to take into account your pools size, desired temperature gain, wind, and sunlight availability. If youre gone for a few days or dont plan on using the pool, turn the temperature down or even turn the heater off. Unlike most others on our list, this collector is rigid plastic with a unique curved design, which GAME says accelerates heating, and includes two adjustable legs to angle the collector towards the sun. Enjoy a warm swim, especially in the colder months with 5 of these FAFCO SunSaver Solar Powered Heating Panels. A flow control valve monitors your pool waters temperature and diverts the water to the solar collectors when it dips below the set temperature. One attractive, light-weight panel sets up anywhere your pool is and starts heating Most owners typically keep their pool temperatures between 78 and 82. After a few days in the sun, users report the water temperature can climb to the high 80s and even low 90s. In comparison, if you heat a 1,000 square foot pool with a gas pool heater, you can expect to pay about $1,500 to $3,600 a year, depending on your utility costs, location, and ambient temperature. Smartpools SunHeater kit is the largest solar heater on our list and is designed for in-ground pools. Keep that in mind if youre looking into this kit. "JN*JIu/Mi-- {[m69 The back-of-the-napkin calculations above give you a general idea of how many collectors youll need, but if you want a truly accurate estimate, youll need to talk to a solar pool heater installer. Installing a solar pool heater isnt the only way to decrease your pools energy use. Even just a cheap plastic tarp can do the trick but it likely wont last too long and is too cumbersome to use regularly. There's nothing better than lounging around outside on beautiful summer days. While not all utilities and states offer these kinds of incentives (most dont), you might get lucky and be eligible for one or several! Once youve installed your solar heating system, heating your pool is absolutely free (unless you use an auxiliary heater). 1I6 5l]?Rz>>Cf=ch}15f'[}Vddu54Gg~%S=\q[nG~k?WSU&KY93us*>mTj`~ S~.O3u}V:=lo-}k[["Tw12?v gXe}6B45}o6O5:`B(h{ RU513\#q\\JGNefU4@A/TI%)$IOy3zGcr]W. Financial savings arent the only benefits to solar pool heaters. A large, cost-effective, solar pool heater for large pools. FAFCO solar pool heating dramatically extends your swimming season, enabling healthy enjoyment and exercise in luxurious warm water from spring to fall. A low-cost solar heater for both in-ground and above-ground pools. The collectors can be installed anywhere theres ample space and sunlight, though at this size your roof is probably the best bet. All Rights Reserved. Get the best solar pool heater for your pool today! So remember: When youre out of town, turn that temp down! See how a store is chosen for you. As you can see, solar water heaters are actually pretty simple systems and only need four basic pieces of equipment to operate: In reality, that system can be far more complicated as you add auxiliary pool heaters, spa operation, suction valves, and return valves. Installing a smaller, more efficient pool pump can help lower pumping bills by up to 40%. On top of that, circulating the water six hours a day or less is generally sufficient to keep your pool clean. FAFCOs solar pool heaters simply workand keep on working. most efficient solar controller you can buy: the SolarTouch controller from Pentair Aquatic Systems. The solar collectors themselves are the single biggest expense, costing about $400 each, though that price can go up or down depending on size and quality. After the filter, the water is sent to the solar collectors. View as: Make the most of your backyard swimming pool with 5 FAFCO Solar Powered panels for the SunSaver Solar Heating System. It is unglazed, un-insulated, and designed for low temperature applications such as swimming pool heating, heat pumps, aquaculture, and hydroponics. Take the work and worry out of scheduling and operating pool and spa heating, filtration and cleaning cycles. If youre really interested in both PV solar and solar pool heating, there are a couple of different manufactures like CoolPV and DualSun that have created dual thermal and photovoltaic solar panels. Thanks for your product and its years of service.. Youll need a bright, obstruction-free place to install your collectors. That might be a bit chilly for little ones or the elderly, but if you can handle it, youll save quite a bit of money the DOE estimates that for every degree above 78, youll use between 10% and 30% more energy. Make the most of it with the smartest, Their low annual operating costs (in other words, their free clean energy!) The premium quality, superior technology, and second-to-none performance and reliability of FAFCO solar collectors are backed by a 12-year worry-free collector warranty. The heater is made from flexible polypropylene and can be rolled up and stored if needed. To say the IntelliFlo VF pump is a radically differentand superiorpool pump is a massive understatement. Solar pool heaters though are working anytime theres daylight, so you can enjoy more spontaneous dips in the pool on a nice day! _7\}X$:nd[gL}#!jz}otLnn>ff.C0gscj}/k0gL}2d]} :vs\w W$7Skw_ >ulQ9-\=#m R[F~~ [_[y?> _K^En-Lq6?9B5(els+4},h\uuw'* ; I}", C]_1OkK'0 kA%YV +RVZ8Z[OOow%2J\[eTZ" >gj9]My[3d>-ys'sPkG'7 ++j{N>Gs+J.CvK}.^.}V5~:2?Qzk!U~",5/nYq6?vI\}9c:n~kP)}d[G%MTcSCn% U @4~C={ W v Xbtl*nee}XxvSvFOf=VUOd\oWuG\N62:~%u] -_E#3n`7v6lk?0;@OO{G]C:_Cx#:? c ?N+NnS% _{R;?O`ZkS_O?E System (SVRS) that senses drain blockage and automatically shuts the pump off to provide an important layer of protection against entrapment. After all, you could power your entire home as well as your pool pump and other electrical equipment with clean, no-cost electricity. It is unglazed, uninsulated, and designed for low temperature applications such as swimming pool heating, heat pumps, aquaculture, and hydroponics. Exif II* b j ( 1 r 2 i Adobe Photoshop 7.0 2004:09:13 13:56:31 1 ( " H H JFIF H H Adobe_CM Adobe d Exactly how much your system will cost depends on your heating needs. One of the highest efficiency solar collectors for pools on the market. First things first, properly managing your pools temperature gives you the single biggest return on your investment, as theres no cost and no investment. Other users note they kit has few leaks at connection points a common issue with these cheaper kits. You can shorten the time it takes to see a return on your investment by taking advantage of all available incentives to drop your total costs as much as possible. You start saving money from day one! Pretty cool! Most customers praise the functionality of the kit, saying they work great on mild to hot days, even in northern Washington. On occasion, manufacturers may modify their items and update their labels. For even greater convenience, you can add any of these optional controllers: The IntelliFlo VS+SVRS Variable Speed Pump is the revolutionary way to reduce energy costs and provide the safest possible pool environment. Pool pumps keep the pools chemicals well mixed and remove debris in the water, but the EPA notes that as long as the pumps are running when the chemicals are added, theyll remain well-mixed. List, Sungrabber End Cap for Solar Swimming Pool Heating Panels, Sungrabber End Caps for Solar Swimming Pool Heating Panels - 2 pack, Dacron Strap 32 inch for Fafco Sunsaver Solar Panel, 1-2'X20' SunQuest Solar Swimming Pool Heater with Add-On Couplers, 1-2'X20' SunQuest Solar Swimming Pool Heater - Max-Flow, 1-2X20' SunQuest Solar Swimming Pool Heater Replacement Panel, Vinyl Strap 32 inch for Fafco Sunsaver Solar Panel, 2-2'X20' SunQuest Solar Swimming Pool Heater with Couplers, 2-2'X20' SunQuest Solar Swimming Pool Heater with Add-On Couplers, 2-2X20 SunQuest Solar Swimming Pool Heater Replacement Panels, Panel Clamp Bottom for Heliocol Swimming Pool Solar Panels - HC-113B, Header extension flange for Heliocol Swimming Pool Solar Panels - HC-111. Utilities, states, and cities across the US offer a variety of incentives to help drop the cost of renewable energy projects, including solar pool heating systems. JFIF ` ` hbb &&sL ?#` A\&wA O U We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented. Solar collectors come in three standardized sizes: 4x8, 4x10, and 4x12. You could of course install both a PV solar system as well as a solar pool heating system, but thats a high cost and youd likely not have enough roof space to house all the PV panels as well as the collectors youd need to really make a dent in your energy use. 2017 Copyright All Rights Reserved. The heating panels work exclusively with the SunSaver Heating System that connects directly to your pool's filtration system. At this rate, the solar pool heater you paid $3k to $4k for would enjoy a payback of 1 to 3 years. Simply mount the 4-foot wide by 10-foot long panels either on the roof or ground and to ensure optimal heating, make sure the sun mats are in direct exposure to unobstructed sunlight. Replacement costs for solar water heaters are also low. Lets take a quick look at our four top picks for the best solar pool heaters in 2021 before we dive into more detailed reviews: Lets take a better look at our favorite solar pool heaters. The solar heaters connectors are compatible with pools from a variety of manufacturers. FAFCO 820-FAFCO 4 X 10 Foot SunSaver Solar Powered Panel Pool Efficient Heating System with Patented Metering System and Flow Chamber 10ft - 5 Panels, undefined out of 5 stars with undefined reviews, Easily heat up your above-ground swimming pool with environmentally-friendly solar panel, Eliminates hot and cold spots with a patented metering system for consistent heating throughout, Flow chamber and flow metering holes between header pipes and collector tubes maximize circulation and heating efficiency, Save on pool heating cost as environmentally-friendly heating panel takes the unnecessary strain off your pool pump, Exclusively compatible with the SunSaver system that connects directly to your pool filtration system.