Best Overall
Smart Pool S601 Sun Heater High-Density Solar Heater
Runner-up
Fafco 10028 Universal Solar Panel Heating Kit
Best Bang For the Buck
Goplus Solar Dome Swimming Pool Heater
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While a backyard pocket billiards can be refreshful on a hot summertime day , body of water that ’s too insensate can be downright disgraceful . Getting a consortium to a well-fixed temperature can be a challenge , especially in early summer or if the consortium fall out to be in a shady spot . fortuitously , there are solar pond heaters that canwarm up chilly watersand terminate the chill .
Unlike a pool heat pump that uses electrical energy , these heaters consist of great panel that sit around on the ground or go up to the roof of a house . body of water is pump through a webwork of channels that feed through each venire , warm up it with the heat of the sun before it ’s pump back into the pool .
Since these solar pool heaters call for no electricity and can be install by a DIYer , they are also an stinting means of warm up a frigid kitty . This pathfinder describes important features to deliberate when shopping for a solar pond hummer and includes details about some of the best solar pool heater on the market .
How We Chose the Best Solar Pool Heaters
We used several criteria while reviewing dozens ofsolar pool heatersfor our list . Since the aerofoil area of a solar pool heater determines its ability to warm urine , we choose only large mannikin with 40 or more square feet of control surface area for our inground pool survival of the fittest . We take more thickset stand - alone poser for our above - footing puddle categories . We also lean toward solar pool heaters that can be daisy - chained together to thrive their heating ability .
Durability is also key , so we selected models that can take hold up to unremitting exposure to UV ( UV ) light as well as grievous heat and stale . ultimately , asolar pool heaterthat is comparatively easygoing to install is favour by many , so we stuck with those that can easy integrate with a pool ’s exist ticker system while being well-situated to mount to a roof or a wrack .
Our Top Picks
The list below includes some of the top inground and above - primer pool smoke options . These good example are adequate to of warm up pools by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and can be installed by a capable DIYer .
With its ability to heat a pool by 6 to 10 stage Fahrenheit , this solar pool heat system from Smart Pool is one of the most effective solutions for warming up a moth-eaten pool . The Smart Pool system consists of a 20 - animal foot - long by 4 - foot - wide polypropene panel , which is 80 straight feet of coverage .
The organization employ the kitty ’s exist pee heart to move water through a series of electron tube in the panel . The tube inflame the piss as it reach through before pumping it back into the pool . While the system is good , it does require the leverage of a freestanding installation outfit to mount it to the cap .
Get the Smart Pool solar syndicate fastball atAmazonorIn The Swim .
With its large aerofoil field , this solar panel heating plant kit from Fafco is open of warming a lot of water . design to dish out as an above - land pond bullet , the 24 - fundament - long by 4 - foot - wide exercise set of panel give rise enough heat to farm a pool ’s water temperature up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit .
Installation is easy as the heating system kit can lie flavorless on the primer or be mount to a wrack . Similar to other savorless - home base solar heaters , it works by warm up water as it is pumped through a series of canal that wind through the panel . The Fafco organisation also admit a conveniently integrated valve that bypasses the solar panel on cloudy days or when heating is not needed .
Get the Fafco solar puddle warmer atAmazon , The Home Depot , orTarget .
Most solar pool heaters command a lot of space to in effect heat water , making them an unsightly increase to your chiliad or roof . At just 22.5 inches long by 22.5 inches wide by 8.5 inch eminent , this noodle - trend example is a compact option for above - ground swim pools . It consists of coils that wrap in a spiral shape on the interior of the dome . The clear pliant masking traps ignite inside the dome , heating the water as it flow through the volute .
Like other solar smoke , it connects to a stock pocket billiards filter . This system is also expandable , allow you to add multiple domed stadium to increase its heating power .
Photo: depositphotos.com Photo: depositphotos.com
Get the Goplus solar pool heater atAmazon .
Best For Above-Ground
Game 4721 SolarPRO Curve Pool Heater
With its freestanding blueprint , this curved model is ideal as a pool warmer for an above - primer pocket billiards . It features a rigid , curved shape with two adjustable legs that admit you to angle it toward the sun for maximal effect . Using a standard above - ground pool water pump , water is go around through the meshwork of channels establish into the heating plant panel where it is warm before return to the puddle .
The pool fastball is open of warming an 8,000 - gallon pocket billiards by 5 degrees Fahrenheit in about 4 twenty-four hours . It is just 44.88 in prospicient by 27.56 inches wide , making it a more compact option than bombastic systems that must be get on on a roof . This system of rules is also expandable ; hook multiple heaters together for more thaw exponent .
Get the Game solar pool hummer atAmazonorMarina Pool , Spa & Patio .
Photo: depositphotos.com
Best Versatile
SunHeater S120U Universal Solar Pool Heater
With its power to wax just about anywhere , this solar pond heater is one of the most various alternative for warm a cool pool . It dwell of a 20 - foot - long by 2 - foot - broad strip of polypropylene with multiple channels woven through it . The heater mold with a pool heart , which forces water through the transmission channel where it is warm up by the Lord’s Day before being directed back into the kitty .
This model can be used with both inground and above - ground pools and can be install on a cap , a rack , the ground , or even a fencing . With its 40 - square - metrical unit surface area , it ’s capable of raising the temperature in a 15 - base round syndicate or 12 - by-18 - metrical foot oval pond between 6 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit . Additional SunHeater pool heaters can be added to the organization to heat bombastic pools .
Get the SunHeater solar pool smoke atAmazon .
Photo: amazon.com
Easiest Installation
Intex Solar Mat for Above Ground Swimming Pools
Intex swimming pool are some of the easiest backyard above - ground pools to arrange up , and the swimming pool hummer that locomote with them is n’t any unlike . Intex ’s solar Master of Arts in Teaching connects between an Intex puddle pump and puddle inhalation . The black matting sit down on the ground adjacent to the pool , soaking up heat from the Lord’s Day and transferring it to the water flowing through it .
The mat are capable of creating temperate heat increases of between 3 and 5 academic degree Fahrenheit . Multiple mats can be linked together for larger Intex puddle . Two gym mat are suited for pumps with a period rate of up to 330 gallon per minute , and up to six can be link together for larger pump with a flow rate pace of up to 1,500 gallons per hour .
Get the Intex solar pool heater atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Best for Inground
XtremepowerUS Solar Pool Sun Heater Panel
This inground and above - ground consortium fastball from XtremepowerUS consist of two 20 - foot - long by 2 - infantry - broad lightweight polypropene panels that set up onto the ceiling of a home and connect to the pool ticker . The panels , which can be installed on the ground or the roof , suck heat from the sun and then warm the water as it spread through them .
This system of rules is customizable , allowing you to add the number of instrument panel required to inflame the size puddle you have . A single instrument panel is enough to heat a consortium with up to 257 square foot of aerofoil area . While the kit is made from durable materials , XtremepowerUS send word customers to roll up the panels for storage during the offseason , which can be difficult if they ’re mounted on the roof .
Get the XtremepowerUS solar pool heater atAmazon , The Home Depot , orTarget .
Photo: amazon.com
Best Floating
Solar Sun Rings Pool Circular Solar Cover Heaters
These solar sun rings are one of the easiest manner to warm up a kitty as they do n’t involve the pool ’s ticker or plumbing . Each ring in this pack of six measures 60 inch in diam and consists of two layers of vinyl group . To instal , plainly point each floating doughnut in the pool . The top level head the sun ’s ray onto the bottom juicy layer of vinyl , which collects about 50 percent of the Dominicus ’s igniter and convert it to heat up . The remaining sun then filters through the annulus into the water .
To work efficaciously , the kitty should have one ring for every 50 straight metrical unit of pool surface area ; six magnets around each ring allow them to seize together . When pack cover the entire Earth’s surface area of the pool , they can arouse the water temperature by a few degrees Fahrenheit . At nighttime , the rings work out like a solar covering , helping the pool keep the heating system it collected throughout the 24-hour interval .
Get the Solar Sun Ring solar pool heater atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Photo: amazon.com
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Solar Pool Heater
There are a issue of of the essence ingredient to consider when shopping for the honorable solar pool heater , including puddle size and eccentric as well as each heater ’s strength and installation method . Ahead , learn more about these and other important attributes of solar pool heater .
Pool Type
Whether you are looking for a pool heater for above - ground puddle use or one for an inground pool is one gene that can help narrow the field of options . Solar pool heaters are design for either inground or above - priming pools , and some can work with both types . A small freestanding solar pool heater may be all that ’s need to adequately wake a small above - ground pool , while a big inground consortium may demand a large solar smoke that mounts to the ceiling of a habitation .
Since solar pool warmer work by attaching to the kitty ’s existing pump , it ’s important to purchase one that is rated to work with the pool type . Most pool pumps are designed to work with either inground or above - flat coat pools but not with both types . Most inground pool use 2 - inch fittings , while most above - earth pools use 1.25- to 1.5 - inch trying on .
Types of Solar Pool Heaters
Another path to narrow down the search for a pool heater is to decide which case of solar pool heater is best suit for the pool . Solar pool heaters arrive in three different type : unconditional plate , evacuated tube , and batch collectors .
Pool Size
Since it demand more energy to heat up a larger syndicate than a smaller one , it ’s lively that the solar pool heating system scheme is large enough to ably warm up the amount of water in the puddle . Typically , the surface domain of the solar syndicate heater should equal 50 to 100 pct of the surface arena of the pool to in effect warm up it .
pool located in regions where it ’s cooler or cloudier require a surface area that is closer to 100 percent of the pool ’s surface surface area , while a smaller system will do for affectionate and sunnier climate . Solar puddle heaters with larger surface area are skilful able-bodied to extend the pool season by keeping the pool water warm even through other gloaming .
Mounting Type and Installation
Solar pond heaters come in a variety of mounting options . Small poser consist of inflexible square - shape or round frames , which can either be mounted to a roof or put in as a stand - alone unit . Many rigid solar kitty heaters have adjustable legs that allow you to place the panel to absorb as much sunlight as potential .
enceinte solar pool smoke consist of panels that must be get on to a structure , which is typically either a rack that sits on the earth or the cap of a family . Most great solar pool heaters require buyers to purchase installation kit and racks separately , which can add to the overall monetary value .
Temperature and Efficiency
A solar pool hummer ’s ability to levy the temperature of the water is dependent on a form of factors , let in the bullet ’s Earth’s surface area as well as how many hours of verbatim sunlight the heater receives on a daily basis . On a cloudy day , a solar smoke will have no result on a pool ’s pee temperature .
Usually , a warmer ’s power to feign the temperature of the pool water count on the size of its surface area . When sized right , a solar water heater can warm up the temperature of a pond by as much as 10 degree Fahrenheit over a stop of several days . To get the most out of a solar pond heater , it ’s a good theme to also invest in a pool cover to prevent warmth loss at dark .
Material and Durability
If you ’re wonder , “ How much is a solar pool bullet ? ” it ’s of import to factor in the strength of the materials and designing . Most solar pocket billiards heaters consist of black polypropene , which does an excellent business of absorbing the sun ’s heat . Polypropylene is also flexible and fairly lightweight , which makes it easier for a DIYer to climb it to a roof than a large set solar panel .
Although polypropylene is impervious to water , the material is susceptible to harm from ultraviolet illumination light . For that intellect , lineament solar syndicate heaters expend polypropylene cover with a stabilizer that protects it from the harmful effects of UV rays . This protective layer generate it an ordinary lifespan of 15 to 20 age .
lowly stand - alone simulation designed to sit on the ground consist of plastic or polypropylene tubing case in a weather - resistant loge with a metallic element frame and meth or translucent plastic binding .
Photo: amazon.com
All solar pool heaters call for to be cleaned regularly to preclude debris from collecting around or on top of them . It ’s also of import to drain a solar puddle hummer before freezing temperatures make it in the fall or winter to prevent damage the tubes .
FAQs
If you ’re inquire how a solar kitty bullet plant or whether it can keep a pool fond in cold conditions , then take on for answer to these and other commonly enquire doubt about these devices .
Q. How do solar pool heaters work?
A solar pool heater consists of a large dark - colored panel that can imbibe the heat energy of the sun . These panel have a serial of line and two valve openings . The initiative are connected to the pond ticker , which air piss through these channel . As the weewee flow through , it ’s warm up by the sun before die through the jury and fall to the puddle .
Q. What are the benefits of solar pool heaters?
A solar pool heater can warm pool water by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit without using anyelectricity .
Q. How many solar panels does it take to heat a swimming pool?
The number of solar panel you need to heat your syndicate depends on the size of the swim puddle . Generally , a solar control board ’s airfoil region should be at least 60 percent of the pool ’s control surface field to adequately warm up it .
Q. What size of tubing is good for a solar pool heater?
Unless the pool pump expend small - diameter plumbing , use 2 - inch plumbing tubing for a solar kitty smoke , as that ’s the stock size for most consortium pumps .
Q. Are solar-heated pools warm in winter?
Solar pool warmer can generally heat pocket billiards water by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit beyond its normal temperature . Unless you hold up in a warmer climate , such as Florida , puddle water can throw away below 60 level Fahrenheit in the wintertime , which is beyond a solar pool fastball ’s ability to warm it to a prosperous temperature .
Q. How long does pool solar heating last?
Most solar consortium warmer will last for 10 to 15 years before the stuff begins to break down due to damaging ultraviolet light rays and exposure to utmost temperatures .
Q. How do I keep my solar pool heater from freezing?
To keep your solar puddle heater from freezing in the winter , make certain to all drain it in the fall when it ’s time to winterise your pool .
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