If you have a swimming pool at your home, you should be able to swim in it whenever you want irrespective of the season. It’s the reason why pool heating devices have gained such popularity. And we all know how solar pool heating is not only energy-efficient but is effective in keeping your pool when compared to other alternatives.
However, does it really work in winter? As solar heating relies mainly on sunlight which is minimum in colder months, can you expect the solar pool heating system to work at its best during winter? Let’s find out.
Solar pool heating in winter
The solar heating system collects heat from the sun to warm up your pool naturally, keeping your energy bills down and reducing the environmental impact. On average, solar pool heating can increase the temperature of your pool by 5 to 15 degrees more than its current temperature.
During winter, the water can get too cold and the amount of temperature provided by solar panels may not be enough to warm up the water. Also, multiple factors will impact whether the heat produced by the panels is enough for your pool such as the size of the solar collector, roof orientation and the amount of shade your pool and roof receive.
If the solar panels don’t receive enough sunlight during winter, then the water doesn’t get to the set temperature even though your panels can produce more heat. You have to consider the sun’s orientation to the panels so that your pool stays warm all the time.
And winter is the season when you will crave lapping in the warm water. So, how to maintain its temperature even if the heat provided by panels isn’t enough? You could use a heat pump in combination with a solar heater during the winter, keeping your pool warm while still using as much natural heat as possible.
The size of the solar heater
If you are installing a solar heating system for the first time, make sure to consider your usage during the winter season. If you use it a lot, then you may want to go for a bigger solar heater. Some of the other factors that contribute to the size of the solar heater are:
- Pool size
- The hours you use the pool
- Geographic area
- The climate in your region
- Orientation of the solar collectors
If you live in warm states like Queensland, then warming up your pool in winter might not be an issue, provided that you have an average-sized pool. But in other cool areas, you might want to think about the size of the solar heating panels and the angle to the sun’s orientation when you are installing it.
If you want to install the heating panels correctly, it’s better to take suggestions from professionals and then decide the best place to install the solar panels.
Does it cost more to use solar panels in winter?
Installing the whole solar panel system is a one-time investment. And including its parts like the solar charge controller. Even if you use the solar heater during winter months, there is no extra money involved as there will be no fuel burning to produce heat. Using solar heaters is both durable and economic as you don’t have to spend much on repairs and pool maintenance as well. When you use the solar heater, you can spend extra money on upgrading your pool and buying new accessories for it.
Does it require extra maintenance in winter?
Unlike electrical or gas heaters, you don’t have to spend money on mechanical errors like wear and tear of the motor or compressor. Operating a solar panel system is easy and simple. So, maintaining it even during winter months is easy and doesn’t require more money or effort.
Swimming in your pool, especially during cool winter afternoons, is relaxing and enjoyable. To have such joy all the time during the season, installing a solar panel system is the best solution. No matter the season, you can enjoy the perfectly warm water in your pool, and the best part is, you don’t have to spend more money on pool maintenance and repairs.
