Saving Money with a Solar Pool Heating System
For homeowners considering installing solar pool heating systems to keep the water in their swimming pools comfortably warm, costs have never been lower than they are now. A number of incentive programs available at the federal, state and local level significantly reduce installation expenditures. Today, a solar pool heater is likely to feature a photovoltaic (PV) collector that not only offers better efficiency than earlier models, but one that is lighter and more attractive as well.
Once installed, a solar pool heater immediately reduces a homeowner's monthly energy costs. Through monthly savings as well as through rebates and tax credits offered by incentive programs, solar pool heating systems typically pay for themselves in two to seven years. After that, homeowners will enjoy free solar power for the life of the system, which can be more than 20 years.
How Solar Pool Systems Work
Solar pool heating systems can be either mounted on the ground or on a roof. As roofs usually have better exposure to the sun, the majority of PV arrays are roof-mounted systems. A flat-plate collector, which is a PV panel enclosed in a weather-proof box, absorbs energy from sunlight to heat a fluid, sometimes water, but most often antifreeze. The fluid flows through loops of piping to an insulated water tank. The heated water may be delivered to the tank passively, using gravity, or actively, using water pumps.
Naturally, these PV products work best on bright, sunny days. When the temperature outside is 90 degrees F, for example, the water in the tank can be as hot at 160 degrees F. Even on cloudy days, however, the system saves homeowners money because the water is still partially heated in the tank.
Incentive Programs
The tax credit offered by the federal government can pay for up to 30 percent of installation costs. Should a homeowner not owe as much in taxes to benefit from the full credit in the year that the product is installed, the credit can be carried forward to use in future returns through 2016. Most states offer worthwhile rebate programs as well. Some utilities and local governments also offer incentive programs. Homeowners should make sure that the product that they purchase meets the energy-efficiency standards that each program requires. Combined savings from incentive programs can cut installation costs by up to 50 percent or more.
Solar heating systems for swimming pools are available in do-it-yourself kits or can be professionally installed. Established brands that come with warranties are often a good indication of a quality product.
Once installed, a solar pool heater immediately reduces a homeowner's monthly energy costs. Through monthly savings as well as through rebates and tax credits offered by incentive programs, solar pool heating systems typically pay for themselves in two to seven years. After that, homeowners will enjoy free solar power for the life of the system, which can be more than 20 years.
How Solar Pool Systems Work
Solar pool heating systems can be either mounted on the ground or on a roof. As roofs usually have better exposure to the sun, the majority of PV arrays are roof-mounted systems. A flat-plate collector, which is a PV panel enclosed in a weather-proof box, absorbs energy from sunlight to heat a fluid, sometimes water, but most often antifreeze. The fluid flows through loops of piping to an insulated water tank. The heated water may be delivered to the tank passively, using gravity, or actively, using water pumps.
Naturally, these PV products work best on bright, sunny days. When the temperature outside is 90 degrees F, for example, the water in the tank can be as hot at 160 degrees F. Even on cloudy days, however, the system saves homeowners money because the water is still partially heated in the tank.
Incentive Programs
The tax credit offered by the federal government can pay for up to 30 percent of installation costs. Should a homeowner not owe as much in taxes to benefit from the full credit in the year that the product is installed, the credit can be carried forward to use in future returns through 2016. Most states offer worthwhile rebate programs as well. Some utilities and local governments also offer incentive programs. Homeowners should make sure that the product that they purchase meets the energy-efficiency standards that each program requires. Combined savings from incentive programs can cut installation costs by up to 50 percent or more.
Solar heating systems for swimming pools are available in do-it-yourself kits or can be professionally installed. Established brands that come with warranties are often a good indication of a quality product.
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