Solar pool heaters can offer the home owner a great deal of savings on their electric bill.  While they may initially cost about the same as others that are powered by gas or by an electric pump, they operate a lot more cost effectively making them the clear and better choice between the three.  Regardless of the climate, these will work effectively anyplace where the sun shines.

Typical solar pool heaters involve a system that includes a collector, which is responsible for bringing the cooler water in and then heating it with the rays that are generated by the sun, a filter for collecting debris and particles, a pump and a flow control valve.  The pump brings the water to the filter and then on to the collector, and the flow control valve either works automatically or by hand to make sure that there is a flow of water going to the collector and the filter.

The collector can be composed of different types of materials, and the one that a home owner needs to choose will depend on how the solar pool heaters will be used and the type of seasonal changes that are typical for the area in which they live.  Collectors are made in unglazed and glazed models, which include a top that is made of glass.  Unglazed units are either made of rubber or plastic.  A special light reflector is added to stop the ultraviolet light from damaging the unit prematurely.  Unglazed units are far more inexpensive than those that include the glass topper, and usually the unglazed unit is all a home owner needs to have.

The key to solar pool heaters being so efficient lies within the way that the collector works.  They feature tubing that is made of copper with a plate made of aluminum.  Glazed collectors also have a glass top that is iron tempered.  The glazed collector is more expensive as previously mentioned, but because it captures more of the sun’s rays, it may be possible to use the glazed collector year round. 

Solar pool heaters are essential for those who prefer to swim year round, regardless of the weather. Because it keeps the water warm, it makes it perfect to enjoy all year, even in the dead of winter.  Another reason that people may want the warmer water may be for personal preference, and many need warmer water temperatures for some medical purposes.  

Once the initial cost has been invested, then it takes very little maintenance for optimal upkeep of the unit.  On the unglazed units, all of the parts that may need to be replaced are relatively inexpensive.  Again, they are more expensive on the glazed units. 

The size of the heater that is needed will be dependent on the size of the swimming pool.  The homeowner will need to know the dimensions of the area, as well as the number of gallons it holds in order to purchase a unit that will effectively warm the water year round.  It is also important to place the warming unit in a spot that will receive the required hours of direct sunlight each day.