In the SEF determination, the power required to operate pumps and controls also considered. For example the natural gas savings consumption from a solar system with an SEF of 2.
Prices for natural gas vary significantly by location and by month. The associated Annual Solar Cost Savings would be:. Any cost associated with repairs of the system would subtract from this fuel cost savings. Homeowners insurance usually covers damage from hail. If you want to include installation and maintenance costs, consult the manufacturer s and a qualified contractor to help estimate these costs.
These costs will vary among system types and sometimes even from water heater model to model. Now we need to determine the Once you know the ppurchase and annual operating costs of the solar water heating system and compare that with the costs associated with conventional water heating systems to calculate a payback on our solar investment.
Costs vary by collector type and system configuration as well as local market factors. This price might be typical of a location with local suppliers and robust competition. The SEF rating will be associated with a system with a certain number of solar collectors 1, 2 or more.
A typical size for a home would be two solar collectors for an area of 64 or 80 sf. The simple payback period would be the initial cost divided by the annual cost savings. When compared to natural gas in our on-going example:.
In areas where the energy costs are higher than assumed here, the paybacks are lower and it is in those areas where most installation activity occurs. These are areas with high energy prices such as Hawaii and California and places where low-cost natural gas is not available and more expensive fuel oil is used. When comparing solar water heating systems, you should also consider installation and maintenance costs.
Some systems might cost more to install and maintain. Consult the manufacturer s and a qualified contractor to help estimate these costs.
These costs will vary among system types and sometimes even from model to model. Subscribe to receive updates from Energy Saver, including new blogs, updated content, and seasonal energy saving tips for consumers and homeowners. Calculating Annual Operating Costs. Every solar pool heater installation starts with an evaluation of your pool and area.
A consultation about your needs and habits helps the installer better position and size the heater to your pool to get the best results. Finally, the panels or collector system are installed and placed on a roof or nearby platform. These are thoroughly secured and strapped down to make sure that they remain stable. All tubing is then connected to the system and run to your pool, where the pump is installed just outside the pool. Two sets of plumbing are installed from the collector--one uses the pump and a filter to pull the water up to the collector, and the other sends the water straight back from the collector to the pool.
Your installer hides or minimizes the appearance of these pipes or tubes. In some cases, they can be discreetly run beneath surfaces or attached to the side of the home. Find the best solar pool heater installers near me Find Pros. Unlike most pool heaters, solar heaters consist of two pieces: a pump, which circulates the water, and the solar heater, made up of solar reflective material and tubing.
The pump pushes the water to the tubing, which is either below solar glazed panels or fixed through an unglazed solar material. The water circulates slowly, warmed by the heater, then is pumped back to the pool. Even the best solar pool heater might require pool solar panel repair. Common problems with a solar pool heater include panel leaks, plumbing repairs, panel replacements, valves, controllers, and sensor repairs that control automation.
The repair cost varies based on the brand, the required part, size, and problem. Also, the extent of wear and damage impacts the cost because the part might be repairable or need to undergo complete replacement.
Solar water heaters have many benefits for the user. They use no electricity, gas, or propane to run, so they pay for themselves over a few years. They last up to 20 years and require little regular maintenance. These heaters are expensive to purchase and must be installed in the correct location to ensure they get the proper amount of sunlight.
They also need to be appropriately sized, about equal to the surface area of the pool, to ensure that they perform sufficiently. Solar panels take a long while to heat a pool initially. It could take a day or two in a warm climate and up to an entire week in a colder one. The time it takes depends on the amount of cloud cover and temperatures. Once the pool reaches a comfortable temperature, it is important to use a cover at night and when not in use to maintain the temperature.
The solar pool heater collector size depends on the size of your pool, the climate you are in, whether your pool is above-ground or in-ground, and whether you use a pool cover. A professional can help you determine the exact number of panels for your situation. Above-ground pools lose heat faster since they do not have the insulation of the soil and need more panels for the same surface area compared to an in-ground pool.
Those living in a cooler northern climate need more panels to heat the same sized pool than those living in warmer southern climates. A solar pool heater works better when it is the correct size for your pool. It will not work well to raise the temperature if it is too small and too large of a system would be a waste of money. For cooler climates, it is usually a good idea to have the surface area of the collectors be equal to the surface area of your pool.
In a warmer climate, the collector area should be about half the size of the surface area of your pool. Pool covers will trap heat and reduce the number of needed panels. A mathematical formula is used to determine the number of BTUs needed to heat your pool. It takes 10 BTUs every hour for each square foot of pool surface area for each degree you wish to raise the temperature of your pool. This equals 4, Solar panels come with a BTU output rating. The sun generates close to BTUs per square foot per hour.
These numbers change based on each unique situation. The table below shows the square feet of solar panels needed if the panels function at 50 percent capacity. While solar energy is green and does not rely on electricity or gas, it still varies in how efficiently it heats your pool. For example, some systems like propylene mats are not very efficient in northern climates. For this reason, have a professional assess your needs before purchasing a system to select a pool heater that can efficiently heat your pool to the desired temperature.
Most solar pool heaters do not require much maintenance to keep them running properly. Glazed panels may need to be cleaned periodically in dry climates to remove any built-up debris. Otherwise, the main focus is on keeping the filter clean and the pump regularly inspected. The biggest difference between above-ground and in-ground pools is that in-ground pools have added insulation thanks to the dirt that surrounds them.
The soil holds in the heat and does not let it escape as quickly. An above-ground pool loses heat through the top and sides. So, if you have an above-ground pool and an in-ground pool of the same size in the same climate, an above-ground pool will need a larger heating system.
If you do have an above-ground pool, consider adding insulation to cut costs on the size of the solar heating system. Also, be sure to use a pool cover at night and when not in use. Costs will be more to install a system to heat an above-ground pool since you will need to add extra panels. Keep in mind that needing more panels not only increases the costs but also increases the space needed on your property for the panels.
As the sun warms the air, the pump draws in heat from the air and warms the pool. Both systems use some electricity to run their pumps 2 and circulate the water. The cost of electricity is negligible compared to the cost of heating a pool using gas or propane.
In most cases, heat pumps extend the time you use the pool by about 2 to 3 months a year. The main difference is that the solar heater runs almost constantly during the day to heat the water, while heat pumps are only used as needed.
Therefore, they may take longer to warm a pool, but they can raise the temperature slightly more than a solar heater. An electric pool heater is only practical for a small pool or for use in an area where the temperature is consistently over 55 degrees. An electric pool heater needs its own electrical circuit to provide enough energy. In an electric pool heating system, water is pumped through the system, heated by an element, and returned to the pool.
Electric units are relatively inexpensive compared to a solar heating system, but the cost to run them adds up quickly. Consult with a pro when installing a solar pool heater Find Pros.
A pool cover serves a multitude of purposes. Some are designed to help winterize the pool, others aid in keeping the water warm, and some keep dirt and debris out of the water. Ultimately, you have to factor in the cost of installing the solar pool heater.
Once it is paid for, then you can start reaping the benefits of free heat. According to the U. Usually, it takes from six to ten panels to heat a pool, with the average being from seven to eight panels. Depending on the size of the panels and the pool, most heaters need to run for a few hours to sufficiently warm the pool. Cost to install a solar pool heater varies greatly by region and even by zip code. To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
FIXR provides cost guides, comparisons, and term cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation and repair projects. Log In. Loading, please wait Password Recovery. Get Local Cost. Glazed solar heater for a foot x foot in-ground pool mounted on the house. Reviewed by Nieves Martinez. Written by Fixr. These include:. Though the above range of factors needs to be taken into account when calculating the potential savings offered by solar thermal systems, it is possible to give a rough idea of how much you can expect to save.
The typical output of a domestic solar thermal installation in the US is between kWh and kWh , though once again this depends on individual factors. With state incentives and a reduction in heating bills, you should expect to pay off your initial investment within about ten years in most states of the US. It is necessary to underline the fact that a solar thermal system will not fully replace your existing water heating system, and will not provide any space heating.
Obviously, solar thermal systems are most productive in the summer, when there is most sunlight. You will therefore rely more on other, non-renewable energy sources during the winter months. If you are planning on adding a solar thermal system to a new build or as part of a larger refinancing job as part of a mortgage, then your payments on the money lent may be considerably lower.
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