Solar Pool Heat FAQsexpand/collapse all answers

Absolutely. Depending on the weather, you can expect your solar pool heater to raise your pool temperature 2°F to 5°F each time the water passes through the system. With several days of good weather, this could equal an increase of 5°F to 15°F. To make the system even more effective, use a solar blanket at night to help hold in the heat.

No. Solar pool panels and controls are designed specifically to heat a large volume of water in a swimming pool, and to operate in temperature ranges of 80°F to 100°F. Household space heating and household hot water are different applications of solar, requiring heating smaller volumes of household water to higher temperatures.

Solar pool heating system prices for a residential pool depend on the location and size of the pool, location of the solar panels, desired temperature and season, and type of pool equipment. Because of all the variables, it is impossible to give an accurate estimate without careful inspection of the site. If a pool owner heats their pool with natural gas through the normal swimming season, an investment in solar can pay for itself in 2 to 3 years.

The majority of residential solar pool heaters use an automatically controlled valve to divert the existing filtration flow to the solar panels, so there is no additional cost to operate the solar pool heater. Some pools might require an additional solar boost pump that would cost a few dollars per month to operate during the swimming season.

Modern solar collectors made of stabilized polypropylene can be expected to last between 15 to 20 years.

Usually no special maintenance is required during the season. Modern electronic controls allow you to "set and forget" the solar heater. It is recommended that the panels be shut off and drained in the winter, which takes just a few minutes.

Yes. In fact, our parent company, J. Tortorella Pools, offers a complete "green package" for new and existing gunite pools.