The sun is shining and summer is in the air here in Georgia. Your friends at Allen Pool Atlanta, your swimming pool maintenance experts, are gearing up, and we know you are too! You may be thinking about replacing your pool’s water heater. Should you go electric or solar? Read on to find out!
Most pools these days have one of two systems: an electric or a solar. The names of these two systems explain the big difference between them: an electric pump uses electricity to transfer heat from the air to the pool, and a solar pump uses the sun’s energy to heat the water. Many people are moving toward solar heating systems, so we decided to learn more about them.
A solar heater is made up of four parts: solar collector, filter, pump, and control valve. The pump sends the water through the filter first and then through the solar collector, where the sun heats the water. When it is heated it is returned to the pool through the pump. This system works well in places like Georgia because of our consistently warm, sunny summers.
The main drawback of the solar heating system is its initial cost. These systems cost between $2000 and $4000, which is a hefty price to pay, especially compared with electric pool heaters. However, after the installation process the solar heater becomes much less expensive. First and foremost, its energy source is free! Because of this, operating costs are essentially zero, as compared to about $200 annually for an electric system (assuming you use a pool cover). Therefore, the solar heater starts to pay itself back quickly. Maintenance costs of a solar heater are also lower than those of an electric heater. If you are willing to pay a higher price upfront, solar heating systems are more cost-effective in the long run.
Because the water is heated by the sun, a solar heater does heat the water more slowly than an electric heater does. For people who use the pool regularly, this typically is not an issue. However, if you use your pool infrequently, an electric heater may be the way to go because it will heat your water more quickly even if it is very cold to begin with.
Aside from cost, there is a very prominent reason for switching to solar: the environment. Using a sustainable energy source (the sun!) is great for the environment, and it is in our best interests and the best interests of our children to do whatever we can to save energy and do our part.
Remember a few minutes ago when you saw the initial price difference of a solar heater? Longevity is yet another category in which the solar heater’s benefits outweigh its cost. A solar heater will last for 20 or more years, where an electric heater lasts up to 10.
Here at Allen Pool Atlanta, we pride ourselves on helping our customers make their pools the best they can be. Our maintenance, repair, and renovation services are top-of-the-line, and we can’t wait to work with you! Call Allen Pool today at (770) 451-1621 or contact us online!
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