How Does A Solar Pool Heater Work?
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is "How does a solar pool heater work?" Often the operation of a solar pool heater is misunderstood.
So how does a solar pool heater work?
By utilizing the existing pump the pool water is pumped from the pool through pools filtration equipment. The water is then pumped up to the solar pool heater panel array(s). As the cool pool water enters the solar pool collectors from the bottom headers it flows upwards through the collectors riser tubes to the top header pipes. The stored solar heat in the collectors is then transferred to the pool water. At this point the warmed water then flows through the return PVC line and is retuned back into the swimming pool gently raising the temperature of the pool until the desired pool water temperature is reached.
A typical solar pool heating system includes the following components:
Solar Collector(s) - the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun
PVC Plumbing Lines - PVC feed and return plumbing lines that transport the pool water from your pool to the solar panel array(s) and back to your pool
Pool Filter - removes debris before water is pumped through the collector
Pool Pump - circulates water through the filter, solar collector(s) and back to the pool
3-way Flow Control Valve - automatic or manual valve diverts pool water through the solar array(s)
2-way Flow Control Valves - controls the direction of the pool water flow through the feed and return PVC plumbing lines
