By Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 28, 2023 2:00 PM
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While a backyard pool can be refreshing on a hot summer day, water that’s too cold can be downright shocking. Getting a pool to a comfortable temperature can be a challenge, especially in early summer or if the pool happens to be in a shady spot. Fortunately, there are solar pool heaters that can warm up chilly waters and end the shivering.
Unlike a pool heat pump that uses electricity, these heaters consist of large panels that sit on the ground or mount to the roof of a house. Water is pumped through a webwork of channels that run through each panel, warming it with the heat of the sun before it’s pumped back into the pool.
Since these solar pool heaters require no electricity and can be installed by a DIYer, they are also an economical means of warming up a frigid pool. This guide describes important features to consider when shopping for a solar pool heater and includes details about some of the best solar pool heaters on the market.
We used several criteria while reviewing dozens of solar pool heaters for our list. Since the surface area of a solar pool heater determines its ability to warm water, we chose only large models with 40 or more square feet of surface area for our inground pool selections. We selected more compact stand-alone models for our above-ground pool categories. We also leaned toward solar pool heaters that can be daisy-chained together to expand their heating ability.
Durability is also key, so we selected models that can hold up to constant exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light as well as severe heat and cold. Finally, a solar pool heater that is relatively easy to install is preferred by many, so we stuck with those that can easily integrate with a pool’s existing pump system while being easy to mount to a roof or a rack.
The list below includes some of the top inground and above-ground pool heater options. These models are capable of warming 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 degrees Fahrenheit, this solar pool heating system from Smart Pool is one of the most effective solutions for warming up a cold pool. The Smart Pool system consists of a 20-foot-long by 4-foot-wide polypropylene panel, which is 80 square feet of coverage.
The system uses the pool’s existing water pump to move water through a series of tubes in the panels. The tubes heat the water as it passes through before pumping it back into the pool. While the system is effective, it does require the purchase of a separate installation kit to mount it to the roof.
Get the Smart Pool solar pool heater at Amazon or In The Swim.
With its large surface area, this solar panel heating kit from Fafco is capable of warming a lot of water. Designed to serve as an above-ground pool heater, the 24-foot-long by 4-foot-wide set of panels produces enough heat to raise a pool’s water temperature up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Installation is easy as the heating kit can lie flat on the ground or be mounted to a rack. Similar to other flat-plate solar heaters, it works by warming water as it is pumped through a series of channels that weave through the panel. The Fafco system also includes a conveniently integrated valve that bypasses the solar panel on cloudy days or when warming is not needed.
Get the Fafco solar pool heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.
Most solar pool heaters require a lot of space to effectively heat water, making them an unsightly addition to your yard or roof. At just 22.5 inches long by 22.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches high, this dome-style model is a compact option for above-ground swimming pools. It consists of coils that wrap in a spiral shape on the inside of the dome. The clear plastic cover traps heat inside the dome, heating the water as it flows through the coils.
Like other solar heaters, it connects to a standard pool filter. This system is also expandable, allowing you to add multiple domes to increase its heating power.
Get the Goplus solar pool heater at Amazon.
With its freestanding design, this curved model is ideal as a pool heater for an above-ground pool. It features a rigid, curved shape with two adjustable legs that allow you to angle it toward the sun for maximum effect. Using a standard above-ground pool water pump, water is circulated through the network of channels built into the heating panel where it is warmed before returning to the pool.
The pool heater is capable of warming an 8,000-gallon pool by 5 degrees Fahrenheit in about 4 days. It is just 44.88 inches long by 27.56 inches wide, making it a more compact option than larger systems that must be mounted on a roof. This system is also expandable; hook multiple heaters together for more warming power.
Get the Game solar pool heater at Amazon or Marina Pool, Spa & Patio.
With its ability to mount just about anywhere, this solar pool heater is one of the most versatile options for warming a cool pool. It consists of a 20-foot-long by 2-foot-wide strip of polypropylene with multiple channels woven through it. The heater works with a pool pump, which forces water through the channels where it is warmed by the sun before being directed back into the pool.
This model can be used with both inground and above-ground pools and can be installed on a roof, a rack, the ground, or even a fence. With its 40-square-foot surface area, it’s capable of raising the temperature in a 15-foot round pool or 12-by-18-foot oval pool between 6 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Additional SunHeater pool heaters can be added to the system to heat larger pools.
Get the SunHeater solar pool heater at Amazon.
Intex swimming pools are some of the easiest backyard above-ground pools to set up, and the swimming pool heater that goes with them isn’t any different. Intex’s solar mat connects between an Intex pool pump and pool intake. The black mat sits on the ground adjacent to the pool, soaking up heat from the sun and transferring it to the water flowing through it.
The mats are capable of creating moderate heat increases of between 3 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Multiple mats can be linked together for larger Intex pools. Two mats are suitable for pumps with a flow rate of up to 330 gallons per hour, and up to six can be linked together for larger pumps with a flow rate of up to 1,500 gallons per hour.
Get the Intex solar pool heater at Amazon or The Home Depot.
This inground and above-ground pool heater from XtremepowerUS consists of two 20-foot-long by 2-foot-wide lightweight polypropylene panels that install onto the roof of a home and connect to the pool pump. The panels, which can be installed on the ground or the roof, absorb heat from the sun and then warm the water as it circulates through them.
This system is customizable, allowing you to add the number of panels required to heat the size pool you have. A single panel is enough to heat a pool with up to 257 square feet of surface area. While the kit is made from durable materials, XtremepowerUS advises 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 at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.
These solar sun rings are one of the easiest ways to warm up a pool as they don’t involve the pool’s pump or plumbing. Each ring in this pack of six measures 60 inches in diameter and consists of two layers of vinyl. To install, simply place each floating ring in the pool. The top layer directs the sun’s rays onto the bottom blue layer of vinyl, which collects about 50 percent of the sun’s light and converts it to heat. The remaining sunlight then filters through the rings into the water.
To work effectively, the pool should have one ring for every 50 square feet of pool surface area; six magnets around each ring allows them to attach together. When rings cover the entire surface area of the pool, they can raise the water temperature by a few degrees Fahrenheit. At night, the rings work like a solar cover, helping the pool retain the heat it collected throughout the day.
Get the Solar Sun Ring solar pool heater at Amazon or The Home Depot.
There are a number of crucial factors to consider when shopping for the best solar pool heater, including pool size and type as well as each heater’s durability and installation method. Ahead, learn more about these and other important attributes of solar pool heaters.
Whether you are looking for a pool heater for above-ground pool use or one for an inground pool is one factor that can help narrow the field of options. Solar pool heaters are designed for either inground or above-ground pools, and some can work with both types. A small freestanding solar pool heater may be all that’s needed to adequately heat a small above-ground pool, while a large inground pool may demand a large solar heater that mounts to the roof of a home.
Since solar pool heaters work by attaching to the pool’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-ground pools but not with both types. Most inground pools use 2-inch fittings, while most above-ground pools use 1.25- to 1.5-inch fittings.
Another way to narrow down the search for a pool heater is to decide which type of solar pool heater is best suited for the pool. Solar pool heaters come in three different types: flat plate, evacuated tube, and batch collectors.
Since it takes more energy to heat a larger pool than a smaller one, it’s vital that the solar pool heating system is large enough to capably warm the amount of water in the pool. Typically, the surface area of the solar pool heater should equal 50 to 100 percent of the surface area of the pool to effectively warm it.
Pools located in regions where it’s cooler or cloudier require a surface area that is closer to 100 percent of the pool’s surface area, while a smaller system will suffice for warmer and sunnier climates. Solar pool heaters with larger surface areas are better able to extend the pool season by keeping the pool water warm even through early fall.
Solar pool heaters come in a variety of mounting options. Small models consist of rigid square-shaped or round frames, which can either be mounted to a roof or installed as a stand-alone unit. Many rigid solar pool heaters have adjustable legs that allow you to position the panel to absorb as much sunlight as possible.
Large solar pool heaters consist of panels that must be mounted to a structure, which is typically either a rack that sits on the ground or the roof of a home. Most large solar pool heaters require buyers to purchase installation kits and racks separately, which can add to the overall cost.
A solar pool heater’s ability to raise the temperature of the water is dependent on a variety of factors, including the heater’s surface area as well as how many hours of direct sunlight the heater receives on a daily basis. On a cloudy day, a solar heater will have no effect on a pool’s water temperature.
Usually, a heater’s ability to affect the temperature of the pool water depends on the size of its surface area. When sized properly, a solar water heater can warm the temperature of a pool by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit over a period of several days. To get the most out of a solar pool heater, it’s a good idea to also invest in a pool cover to prevent heat loss at night.
If you’re wondering, “How much is a solar pool heater?” it’s important to factor in the durability of the materials and design. Most solar pool heaters consist of black polypropylene, which does an excellent job of absorbing the sun’s heat. Polypropylene is also flexible and fairly lightweight, which makes it easier for a DIYer to mount it to a roof than a large rigid solar panel.
Although polypropylene is impervious to water, the material is susceptible to damage from UV light. For that reason, quality solar pool heaters use polypropylene treated with a stabilizer that protects it from the harmful effects of UV rays. This protective layer gives it an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Smaller stand-alone models designed to sit on the ground consist of plastic or polypropylene tubing encased in a weather-resistant box with a metal frame and glass or translucent plastic cover.
All solar pool heaters need to be cleaned regularly to prevent debris from collecting around or on top of them. It’s also important to drain a solar pool heater before freezing temperatures arrive in the fall or winter to prevent damaging the tubes.
If you’re wondering how a solar pool heater works or whether it can keep a pool warm in cold weather, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these devices.
A solar pool heater consists of a large dark-colored panel that can absorb the heat of the sun. These panels have a series of channels and two valve openings. The openings are connected to the pool pump, which sends water through these channels. As the water flows through, it’s warmed by the sun before exiting through the panel and returning to the pool.
A solar pool heater can warm pool water by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit without using any electricity.
The number of solar panels you need to heat your pool depends on the size of the swimming pool. Generally, a solar panel’s surface area should be at least 60 percent of the pool’s surface area to adequately warm it.
Unless the pool pump uses small-diameter plumbing, use 2-inch plumbing tubing for a solar pool heater, as that’s the standard size for most pool pumps.
Solar pool heaters can generally heat pool water by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit beyond its normal temperature. Unless you live in a warmer climate, such as Florida, pool water can drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the wintertime, which is beyond a solar pool heater’s ability to warm it to a comfortable temperature.
Most solar pool heaters will last for 10 to 15 years before the material begins to break down due to damaging UV rays and exposure to extreme temperatures.
To keep your solar pool heater from freezing in the wintertime, make sure to completely drain it in the fall when it’s time to winterize your pool.
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