TURN
ON THE HEAT
- In sunny South Africa it
makes sense
- to exploit the suns natural
heat.
Solar pool heating has brought pleasure
to families all around the world for many years. Through research and
development, Solnet has perfected the industry to accommodate the harsh
South African conditions, and now provides comfort-swimming pleasure.
By installing solar panels you can heat the water in your pool to a
comfortable level for swimming when it would normally be too cold to
swim. This not only enables you to spend countless extra hours enjoying
the pool, but it will also maximise your pool investment return and
immediately increase the value of your property.
Solar Heating
Systems use the free energy of the sun and costs very little to
maintain. The environmental aspects are also important, as solar heating
systems are clean and non-polluting.
There are various types of
solar heating systems, the most effective using inert black plastic
polymers that cannot be corroded by pool chemicals or eroded by water.
Designs with individual tubes allow the roof to breathe and dry out.
Individual tube designs also reduce wind load, reducing the need for a
complicated mounting system.
Solar panels may be configured in
different ways, but the most common method is to install a continuous
row without any breaks. If there is a skylight or a change in the level
of the roof, your supplier will be forced to break the layout, but the
panels are then linked by pipes.
As a rule, solar heating units
are incorporated into an existing filter circuit. The pool pump operates
the solar unit at the same time. For this reason, the maximum number of
panels which can be used will depend on the size and power of the pump;
it must be able to supply a proper flow.
Since the heat of the
water depends on the amount and intensity of sunshine, you will
obviously have cooler water in cold, rainy weather.
The size of
the area to be covered by solar panels will depend on numerous
environmental and physical factors. These include the length of time the
swimming season can reasonably be extended in your area; where the
individual pool is located; whether the area itself is shaded, the
surface area of the water to be heated; whether wind is a problem; as
well as the pool temperature required. The direction and angle at which
the panels are to be mounted will also make a difference.
For optimum efficiency, solar panels
should face north or on a flat roof. If this is not possible, additional
panels may be required. A roof with a very high pitch will also require
more panels, as will a pool which is frequently shaded.
Having a
warm pool is one of the best investments you can make to enjoy family
time in the safety of your own home, so be sure you use a reputable and
reliable installer, such as Solnet!