The concept of a solar heated pool might sound simple, but there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. For instance, everybody seems to talk about the benefits of heating your pool via solar pool heating in Tampa, a city that is flooded with sunlight throughout the year. But nobody ever really discusses the financial aspects, that is, how much it could cost you and how it can save you money in the long run. It is true that solar heating, if installed and used efficiently in your pool, proves to be the best option for recreational swimmers and family use. But how does it help you cut down on expenses? There are certain guidelines that you should keep in mind so that you can extend your swimming season without fracturing the ozone layer or breaking the bank.
Factors that Affect Cost
Solar pool heating is capable of providing consistent warmth during the summer months, and extends the swimming season to fall. This method is environment-friendly and uses natural means to heat up your pool. Since electricity does not usually have a big role to play in the process, the running costs for solar pool heaters are virtually nil, giving homeowners the opportunity to save big.
What Do You Need to Pay For?
The main cost that you will incur is for buying the solar pool heating system and installing it. You should keep in mind that the price of a system depends mainly upon the size of your pool – the larger the pool, the higher the cost. Depending upon the sophistication of the system, the cost of system kits may run to a considerable amount. Installation costs are typically less in Tampa, and most people attempt to save money by installing the pool heater themselves. This, however, is not recommended since the installation should be handled by a certified professional who understands what needs to be done.
Solar pool heating systems usually include several components, which might rack up the cost, but when you think about the long-term benefits, you will see that once the initial phase of setting up the system gets over, you will have to pay negligible amounts.
How Are the Costs Divided?
Almost all costs for solar pool heating have to be handled upfront. When you are done with your purchase and have had the system installed in your pool, it might cost you less than a dollar each day to operate the mechanism. In short, a solar pool heating system might cost you comparatively more to buy and install than a traditional gas heated option. But the money that you will save in terms of running costs, more than pays for itself. Moreover, the payback time on the extra investment happens to be ridiculously short.
What Influences the Cost?
Multiple factors play a decisive role in determining the amount of money you must spend on your solar pool heating system. The pool-size is going to be the primary influencer. The collector-size for the heating system might change depending on the pitch, orientation, shading, and construction of your specific property and pool. Moreover, if you plan to use a collector that is anything but black, you need to add a minimum of 20 percent to the size of the collectors needed. Finally, the type of solar heating system that you decide to buy will influence the cost to a large extent.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Florida ranks third in the US in terms of rooftop solar potential. It is only natural for homeowners to be enthusiastic about solar pool heating solutions in Tampa and other parts of the state. What’s more, SEIA further asserts that there is enough installed solar energy in Florida to power 33,000 homes. As the state warms up to more flexible policies, one can hope to see an increase in solar energy adoption in the Sunshine State of the US.
