SOLAR HOT WATER POOL HEATING Solar Energy in Canada Solar energy can meet three distinct applications: heating water, heating air, and generation of electricity in any residential or commercial setting. In most cases, solar energy provides the lowest lifecycle cost, and the lowest environmental impact from the release of greenhouse gases (GHG). Designing Solar Energy for your Pool Solar energy can be used to heat the water in a
swimming pool, in order to extend the swimming
season from May to September, while reducing the
heating costs significantly and reducing the
environmental damage from conventional fuel Without a heating unit, an outdoor pool will reach 21oC (70oF) by June, or by May if you add a solar blanket and a solar heating unit. The pool will retain that temperature until the end of September in a typical summer. Automatic control Solar pool heating expenses are lower than fuel burning alternatives. The cost of a solar system will vary with the size of the pool and the type of Installation, and require no separate heat exchange unit. A solar system for an 18’ diameter pool will cost $1,200, while a 20 x 40’ rectangular pool would cost $3,200. All figures are estimates, and will depend on a number of site-specific issues. As the cost of natural gas and oil continues to rise, the economic benefits of solar energy become obvious. Solar heating systems include only one moving part, a water diversion valve, and require almost no maintenance. Solar manufacturers offer a 10 to 15 year full replacement warranty, and some offer a limited lifetime warranty, compared with a standard 4 year warranty on gas and oil heaters. Fossil fuel heaters require maintenance of burner nozzles, firing chambers and chimneys, with annual maintenance at $100. Location There are four location choices for pool collectors:
In most of Canada, the sun traverses the sky at approximately 60o above the horizon in May, and reaches a maximum angle of 70 o by summer solstice (June 21) before descending to 60 o by late September. In designing a layout for the location of the collectors, you must remember that the ‘magnetic north’ of a compass is not the ‘true north’ path of the sun. Collectors should be oriented as close as possible to ‘true north’ for maximum efficiency. Some municipalities in Canada have by-laws which restrict the height of construction or have specific building code regulations which may prohibit certain choices for plumbing and/or electrical work. Be sure to consult local authorities before finalizing any plans to install a solar energy pool heater. A solar pool heater is compatible with any existing pump and filter in a swimming pool. The solar system is attached to existing plumbing between the filter and the pool, and a valve is installed in the return line to divert the pool water through the solar collectors when the pool requires heating. At night or when the pool is up to the desired temperature, the valve returns the pool water directly to the pool without a detour to the collectors. The pool water is always pumped and filtered in exactly the same way as it was before the solar system was added. Author: Jeffrey Knapp The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), with assistance from Natural Resources Canada, has produced this series of bulletins to explain the feasible applications of solar energy in Canada. To demonstrate how you can put the sun to work for you, CanSIA has posted these bulletins on its internet homepage, with additional information on solar energy and a comprehensive directory of companies that are involved in the design, sale and installation of solar energy across Canada. Members of CanSIA comply with a Code of Ethics. Please go to www.CanSIA.ca, or contact our office: 2415 Holly Lane, Suite 250, Ottawa, ON K1V 7P2 Links for additional information: An Introduction to Solar Pool Heating Systems Residential Solar Water-Heating + Seasonal Pool-Heating Address for Canadian Renewable Energy website
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