Best Solar Water Heater 2023 - Save Money, Reduce Carbon Footprint (2023)

Every elementary science student knows that it takes a lot of energy to heat water. Unfortunately, the sun doesn't always shine enough to keep your pool at a comfortable temperature. However, by installing a quality solar water heater, you can capture the sun's rays for year-round concentrated water heating.

If you are ready to extend the pool season andSave on your monthly energy bill, Keep reading. Below we present the five best passive solar collectors currently available on the market. You'll also learn what you can do to maximize the efficiency of your solar water heater and how to expand the capacity of your existing system with solar panels and batteries.

Best passive solar water heater

Solar technology used to be expensive and consumer solar products catered to niche applications. Nowadays, green technology is a trend. Furthermore, solar energy is seen as an economical and environmentally sound option for even the average homeowner.

Below, we present five of the best passive solar water heaters for every pool and budget.. You can use them individually or buy several and connect them in series for greater heat output. Each is also an energy-efficient addition to homes with existing solar panels and electric pool heaters.

1.Steinbach Speedsolar coletor

Most solar pool heaters require a significant investment in your valuable backyard space, but not this one.Speedsolar Collectorfrom the German manufacturer Steinbach. Speedsolar measures just 14 x 110 x 69 cm and features a graceful, curved design that drawsmore solar panels in a smaller space.

Do you have uneven floors or need to adjust the angle for optimal placement within the sun's rays? Upgrade the sturdy built-in stands with rubberized feet to achieve this.perfect fit.

Despite taking up little space, Speedsolar has a water capacity of up to 15 l. Depending on the size of your pool, a single unit is enough to increase the water temperature by 1-2°. If you need more heat, Steinbach makes it easy to connect collectors in series; Simply place a short Ø 38 mm connecting hose between each additional device and let the sun do the rest!

The manifolds are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), while the dome is made ofresistente a UVpolycarbonate. This combination allows your Speedsolar to withstand the sun's harsh rays while effectively using them to your luxurious advantage.

steinbach solar velocityIt is compatible with all standard pool pumps and is best suited for heating above ground pools. Inside the box you'll find everything you need to quickly install your solar water heater, including collector, hose, fitting and gasket. Steinbach was kind enough to include some Teflon tape to make his life that much easier.

Benefits:

• Its rigid, curved design makes it easy to stand on the floor or lean against a wall.
• Save valuable garden space
• good finish

Disadvantages:

• Because it is a smaller unit, multiple collectors are often needed to effectively heat larger pools.
• Fittings provided are a bit fiddly and require some elbow grease to tighten properly.

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2.MISOL 10 evacuated tube solar collector

EXAMPLEoffers a different view of traditional passive solar water collectors. Instead of using black painted HDPE coils that absorb the sun's energy and transmit it directly to the indoor water, the10 vacuum hose systemit's more sophisticated.

The term "evacuee" isn't just a marketing gimmick; refers to the fact that each of these tubes actually contains a vacuum. MISOL uses layers of high-boron, high-silicon glass to create this vacuum space, and then puts rock wool in between. The result is an effective thermal insulation laminate thatlocks completely in the heatabsorbed by the sun inside.

Embedded in this system is a copper tube that contains the water to be heated and then forwarded to your pool. And there is a special aluminum nitride heat transfer strip thataccelerates heat conduction dramaticallyinside the copper water pipe.

Together, your MISOL 10 Evacuated offers moreefficient and effectivePossibility to heat your pool. Plus, with a sturdy aluminum frame and dustproof EPDM rubber connections and bushings, your solar water heater will withstand intense UV exposure and perform optimally for years to come.

Benefits:

• Space and economical way to heat water with solar energy
• very durable design
• Useful for swimming pools and small home heating systems

Disadvantages:

• As the system is relatively complex, pre-assembled shipping is not possible.
• No instructions included

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3.LWQ solar heating

If you're looking for a bigger solar water heating solution, this is it.LWQ solar heatingit's a solid choice. In 70 x 600 cm there area lot of areato harvest enough energy from the sun to effectively heat even large swimming pools. As with many high-quality solar collectors, you can connect multiple LWQ units in series for even more heat output.

The LWQ Solar Heater consists of a combination of plastic and EPDM. The result is a flexible solar system that is ready for immediate use.thermally efficient and durableagainst UV rays and ozone cracking.

Due to its large area, the LWQ Solar Heater is best positioned on your roof where you can make the most of its size to capture maximum solar energy. If you can spare lawn space, laying it in the ground is also a viable option, as is mounting it on a wicker frame. Whatever you choose, it won't be hard work as it's extraLuzand it has quick connect installation.

WhileLWQ solar heatingWith a higher price tag, it easily justifies its cost by the sheer amount of heat it provides. Plus, the money you save on an electric heater not only ensures lower monthly bills, but also contributes to a greener and healthier planet overall.

Benefits:

• Ecological heater for medium pools
• Extremely lightweight yet durable for long-term roof mounting
• degradation resistant

Disadvantages:

• Large areas may not be feasible on all lots
• Caro
• Adapter (like back pressure valve) not included

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4.AquaForte Lagoon Solar Heater

In stark contrast to the previous entry on our list of the best solar water heaters, we come to the compact ones.AquaForte sink heater. When space around your pool is an absolute must, these compact collectors make a real impact.

Securely housed in aUV resistant polycarbonate dome, you will find extensive length of solar panel coil. These are ribbed to increase the surface area through which solar energy is absorbed and then transferred to the water inside. Beneath these coils is a high-gloss reflective shell that ensures that the sun not collected at the entrance shines back onto the back of the tubes.

Nothing high tech thereAquaForte's design, it's just a smart way to get physics science gametoo much heating of a small unit. And it really is small, with a usable area of ​​almost four square meters. The dome has an elevation of about half its width, so take this into account when placing the AquaForte in your landscaping.

While there's a lot to be said for the effectiveness of this device, honestly, a single AquaForte won't be enough to raise an average-sized pool more than one degree. For this reason, we generally recommend that you extend what you can for two sessions.install in seriesfor a multiple of the heating capacity.

Benefits:

• Clever arched design provides plenty of surface area while saving space in your garden
• Durable polycarbonate dome protects plastic catcher from UV rays and physical deterioration
• Compact, affordable solar collectors lend themselves to being connected in series for more heat

Disadvantages:

• Small footprint is a compromise for overall heating performance, but requires multiple units for significant heating of medium or larger pools
• The manual only comes in Dutch (too bad!)

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5.Intex solar heating mat

intex simply meanssolar heating matis the last recommendation on our list, but not least. If you have a pool with a capacity of 30,000L or less, you will hardly find moreCost benefitthan at Intex.

The solar heating mat has a heat absorbing surface of 1 square meter. However, this increases to up to 44% when filled with water, providing even more heat output. For medium sized above ground pools you can expect an effective effectTemperature rises between 3-5°, depends on the weather.

While it lacks advanced UV and ozone protection, you'll find that it does.durable PVC constructionvery durable to serve you all year round. At 2.9 kg, Intex is extremely portable and can be easily positioned wherever you need it. It's also easy to deflate, so you can easily store it away during those months when the pool isn't in use.

intexallows for easy installation, including a 32mm hose plus adapter for 38mm hoses in the box. As long as your pump filter has a flow rate of less than 7,500 l/h (or 2,000 gal/h), you can install the solar heating mat as easily as connecting the inlet and outlet hoses through the bypass valve (not included). ). As with our other recommended solar panels, you can combine multiple Intex units in series to heat larger pools.

Overall, at less than £100, the Intex Solar Heating Mat does a lot to justify its modest investment. Not only does it provide effective heating, it also does so without taxing your energy meter or taking up an excessive amount of space in your property.

Benefits:

• Extremely affordable for a great warm-up
• easy to install
• modest footprint
• environmentally friendly

Disadvantages:

• Price requires a compromise between performance and longevity, with the former being preferred

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How do solar water heaters work?

They say nothing in life comes for free, but that's not entirely true when it comes to solar water heaters. Of course, you have to pay for the unit upfront, but once you set it up, it generates heat without affecting your electric bill. (Or, in fact, at no cost to you!) No, it's not magic, and, to be honest, it's not even high-tech - it's mankind's oldest heat source, the inexhaustible sun.

If you've ever left a smoothie out in the sun only to return it to a molten, inedible puddle, you've intuitively understood how solar water heaters work. However, commercial units maximize the transmission of sunlight into a body of water through intelligent design.

the basic design

The typical solar collector consists of an extended length of black plastic or HDPE tube containing a high volume of water. That long water-filled coil is almost always black, which, as your elementary school science teacher will remind you, is better at absorbing light and therefore heat. In addition, the coil wraps around many times and usually has some form of ribs to maximize the surface area through which it absorbs even more solar energy.

So your pool pump pushes water through that long heating chamber and out the other side full of heat where it is channeled to the rest of your pool. The beauty of this system is that it happens all the time as long as the sun is shining. And really, solar water heaters are really simple in general.

variants

Of course, there are some variations on this design. For example, some devices employ a reflector under the coils that reflects the sun, which is not absorbed on the first pass, back to the collector. This basically allows the sun to hit the coils twice as hard, generating a higher level of heat in less time.

Other systems have expandable coils that greatly increase the surface area available for solar absorption when filled with water. This not only increases the heating capacity, but also saves space if your garden is smaller.

There are also solar water heaters that use a type of vacuum tube. This is a little more complicated, but extremely effective; Essentially, you're laying a series of these tubes that have a double layer of insulation that lets in heat but doesn't let it out. The heat is thus trapped in this chamber and heats the copper water pipe inside. While copper is a good conductor of heat, these tubes often have a strip of material that is even more thermally conductive to further accelerate heat transfer.

From there, the water flows back into your pool to heat it up, just like a traditional plastic coil solar water heater.

Tips for getting the most out of your solar system

So it's now clear that solar water heaters use simple physics to deliver heat to your pool. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure the device you choose performs at its best. Here's a quick buying guide to make your life easier:

Avoid heat loss in the pool

Solar water heaters work great when it's sunny outside, but what about at night or when it's cloudy? Obviously, without exposure to the sun, your solar panel will not be able to continue heating your pool.

So, without the sun or your heater available to provide a constant supply of heat, your pool starts to cool down. This is primarily due to evaporation, where high-energy water particles turn into steam and transport heat in and out of the pool. This not only means cooler water, but it also means your solar water heater has to work harder to catch up on lost degrees the next day.

But you can retain most of your pool's heat by simply covering it when not in use. Not only does this keep your pool nice and clean, it also traps heat and prevents water from evaporating. It's a low-tech solution that will greatly increase the efficiency of your solar water heater!

Beware of advertised performance numbers

There's a dirty secret to the passive solar pool heating industry. And that means there's no 100% foolproof way to guarantee how much a single unit can raise your pool's temperature in a day. Here's why:

• Pools vary greatly in size and design, and as such, heat demand and heat retention are highly variable.
• Likewise, your location has a big impact on the performance of your solar water heater. More sun means more heat and vice versa.
• While your water heater does a lot of the work to heat your pool, the sun also shines on the surface of the water itself!

Taking these variables into account, it takes some pretty extensive calculations to determine the absolute performance of your solar water heater. Manufacturers can't even begin to account for the different use cases for their products individually, so they tend to come up with the most general numbers.

We encourage you to pay special attention to reviews from people who live near you and who have similarly sized pools to yours. They let you know if a single solar panel was sufficient for the task or if additional units were needed.

think about longevity

It's easy to think that since solar water heaters don't have fragile electrical components or moving parts, they are pretty immune to breakage and maintenance. And a well-built collector lives up to that reputation. Still, wear and tear can occur in a few key ways:

dano UV

Sunbathing on holiday in Spain is a great way to get a tan, but too much sun exposure causes sunburn and skin damage. The same goes for your solar water heater, although it has much higher tolerances than your body. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation will destroy the plastic and rubber parts of your heater, so at best most devices have a certain lifespan.

However, high quality plastics and EPDM fittings will greatly increase the longevity of your solar water heater. In addition, many devices have a polycarbonate shield that naturally filters nearly 100% of UVA/UVB rays (it's the same material used in manybusiness glasses) without sacrificing the warmth of the sun.

ozone depletion

Less known is the interaction between widespread atmospheric ozone gas and plastic. While the physics behind the chemical reaction is beyond the scope of this article, suffice it to say that ozone can corrode your pickup coils, causing leaks and low heat over time.

While there's no good way to control the ozone in the air around your property, you can choose solar water heaters made from HDPE (high-density polyethylene). This material is highly resistant to the corrosive effects of ozone and offers a much longer service life.

Alternatively, and additionally, you can look for collectors sealed in an airtight enclosure, which will significantly reduce the ozone exposure of your sensitive plastic and rubber parts.

Physical damage and deformation

Most devices will break with enough impact force, and your solar water heater is no exception. Although HDPE is a fairly robust substance, it does not withstand excessive physical abuse. Of course, you need to be extra careful not to puncture plastic or softer rubber cups. Be sure to place your heater in a location that will not obstruct foot traffic and where debris from trees, rocks, and other landscaping can be prevented from falling.

However, this alone is not enough to ensure that your solar water heater will avoid physical damage. We've already covered UV and ozone damage, but it's also worth noting that these damaging forces can cause lower panels to warp. If your heater becomes warped, it can reduce its ability to absorb heat and cause leaks as the plumbing doesn't fit more quickly. For this reason, it is doubly important to ensure that the heater you choose is made of wear-resistant materials or has some form of shielding.

Are passive solar heaters the only way to heat your pool?

People often choose passive solar panels for their simplicity and economy. They usually don't require any special installation and work well enough for moderate heating without affecting your monthly electricity bill.

However, these systems have nowhere to store the collected energy except in your pool. As a result, you will find that you have no way to effectively heat your pool during prolonged periods of cloudiness or cooler weather. Every solar system has its advantages and disadvantages; Here's what you can do to supplement your passive collector:

Consider solar panels and batteries for your home

You probably don't need us to introduce you to solar panels as the UK continues to aggressively pursue carbon neutral energy sources in pursuit of a green economy. Widespread public interest, supported by government subsidies, has fueled many innovations in the solar industry and has driven prices down across the board.

So it's not news that solar panels can help lower your monthly electricity bill and reduce your annual greenhouse gas emissions. But how can you help heat your pool? The answer is simple: storage.

Unlike passive systems, you can store energy collected from the sun through solar panels in the form of electrical charge in batteries. You can refer to this later when you need it and enjoy modern wonders like warm pool water in late autumn or even winter!

Of course, the initial investment is higher than a passive solar water system because you have to buy the panels, battery and electric pool water heater and then pay for professional installation. But the silver lining is that this green energy system is not a one-trick pony; Battery powered solar panels heat your pool and provide electricityElectric kettle, leave the air conditioning on in the summer and stay warm all winter. And all this while lowering your monthly electricity bill!

How much do solar panels cost?

Solar panel prices are falling all the time. In 2020, UK residents saw prices as low as £6,000 for a medium-sized home! Obviously, there is no one-size-fits-all solution; Your costs will depend on how much power you need from your solar system, how efficient you want it to be, how big your roof is, where you live, etc.

If you are interested in adapting your home to the requirements of the 21st century, request your free solar installation quote here. Solar Guide is a trusted industry expert to help you assess your needs and provide you with the most cost-effective options available.

Wrap up

The solar industry is booming; There are numerous solutions to suit both your budget and your need for year-round heated pool water. Today we look at the five best solar water heaters on the market. We also discuss how to get the most out of your new pool heating system.

While these passive heaters offer exceptional heat for the money, they mostly work when the sun is strong. For a more robust pool heating system that works all year round, you can combine your passive collectors with electric water heaters. And you can manipulate them to extract energy from batteries powered by solar panels.

Of course, such a system requires a larger initial investment. But prices continue to fall as innovation and investment increases in the solar industry. Also, the long-term savings often pay off in the end. You'll also feel comfortable living in luxury with your perfectly heated swimming pool, knowing it doesn't harm the environment.

Are you planning to invest in solar energy? Which solar water heating system best fits your home needs and lifestyle? Leave us a comment below!