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stalled solar pool heater can create safety issues
or even costly damages.
Zrallack told me about safety hazards he’s
seen that seem intuitive to an experienced contractor but may not stand out to the do-it-yourselfer. “Someone attaching wires to a controller
may not know of all the code regulations that
should be followed, resulting in overloaded circuits that can keep wires hot all the time. Contractors know what calculations to do to avoid
this,” he noted.
“Then there’s the potential problem that the
wrong size PVC pipe could be used. After it is
on the roof for a couple of years, the pressure
causes it to burst, and you’ve got 40 gallons of
water per minute flooding into the attic.”
The challenge goes beyond getting a solar
pool-heating system to work. It’s important
that a solar pool heater be built and installed
by a professional with experience, training and
knowledge of the system operation, the code
regulations, the required permitting and all the
nuances of these systems. “Keep in mind,” Zrallack added, “solar systems work by absorbing
energy so they are expanding and contracting
every single day. A knowledgeable solar contractor will make sure this won’t cause any roof
damage, which is why most systems sold today
last 15 to 20 years or so — usually longer than
the roof itself.”
A lot of variables need to be considered when
building and installing a solar pool-heating system. “You need to look at factors like the surface
area and the depth of the pool, horsepower of
the pump, length of run from the pool equipment to where it is mounted on the roof, type of
roof, shading, orientation to the sun and so many
other things,” explained Thomas Babb of Heliocol Green Energy in Tempe, Ariz. “If something
goes wrong with the installation, you could burn
up the motor or do a lot worse damage to the
pool. Just the slightest mistake or unplanned detail could easily open a can of worms.”
Dave Bessette, president of Allsolar Service
Co. ( allsolarflorida.com) in Florida, agrees. “In
the 30-plus years that I’ve been in the solar business,” he said, “I have never seen a homeowner
successfully build a solar pool system. Most
have used garden hoses, PVC pipe (often painted black) and copper pipe. Some have buried
the pipes underground and some have put them
on the roof. In many of these cases, the systems
allSolar ServICe Co.
If a homeowner installs the system on the roof, it
will likely void the roof warranty. dave Bessette,
president of allsolar Service Co., noted, “the inevitable roof leak caused by this untrained person could negate their potential of claiming insurance coverage to cover the damages.”
have worked for a while only to have the materials they used eventually fail.”
On solar system inspections around the country, I’ve seen my share of homemade solar pool
heaters comprising nothing more than garden
hoses nailed to the roof and a pump directing
the water through them. In theory, something
that simple could even work — but you’d need
enough roof space for the estimated 2 miles of
garden hose required to heat the typical residential pool!
Bessette pointed out another concern for the
do-it-yourselfer: If a homeowner installs the
system on the roof, it will likely void the roof
warranty. He noted, “The inevitable roof leak
caused by this untrained person could negate
their potential of claiming insurance coverage
to cover the damages.”
Goodbye, Volatile Heating Bills —
Hello, Longer Swim Season
Again, I think it’s the very simplicity of these
systems that make them seem so easy to put together. If you’ve got a backyard swimming pool,
you know how frustrating it is to see it sitting
empty so much of the year, regardless of your
climate and the length of the swimming season
in your area. It was a big investment, and you’d
sure like to be using it more of the year.
As utility costs continue to rise, your only practical application for pool heating is a solar system
along with a pool cover. Solar heating systems
average between $3,500 and $6,000 nationally
for a typical 15- by 30-foot (5- by 10-yard) residential pool, but you’ll see a payback on your investment in just a few years through savings over
the use of a gas heater. The sun won’t be sending
you a heating bill every month.
Most solar pool-heating systems use unglazed, low-temperature solar collectors typically made out of rubber or plastic and treated
with an ultraviolet light inhibitor to extend their
lives. These simple collectors will raise the water temperature the few degrees needed to extend your swimming season by a few weeks or
months. You can add more solar collectors to
expand the system and extend your swimming
season even more.
An experienced contractor will help you find
the system appropriate for your climate to maximize the heating season. To take advantage of
any tax credits or rebates, be sure the system
you choose is certified by the national Solar Rating and Certification Corp. ( solar-rating.org) or
a comparable rating system.
Though the federal tax credits do not apply
to solar pool-heating systems, some states offer incentives, and they can be substantial. For
example, North Carolina has a 35 percent renewable energy state tax credit that applies to
solar pool heaters. Look for incentives in your
area at dsireusa.com. A number of dealers
around the country offer financing options, and
some of the major financial institutions have revolving finance plans on an unsecured basis for
homeowners with good credit.
To get started with your solar pool-heating
installation, check for information on dealers in
your area at findsolar.com or seia.org.
So before you get the urge to install your own
solar pool heater, give some serious thought to
the wiring, the plumbing, the roofing and everything else involved. You may save some money
upfront that way, but you’ll soon see why working with an experienced solar energy contractor
will ensure that your system works safely, reliably and properly for many years to come. ST
