Aside from electric pumps, heaters, and skimmers the swimming pool today is very much like those built as public baths in Rome more than 2,000 years ago. As the fictional character Jed Clampett said in the 1960s television comedy, “It’s a cement pond.”
In recent years technology has fueled a renewed interest in electric vehicles and transformed photography. So, is it any surprise to learn that the swimming pool is also about to be transformed?
As an example, in the United Kingdom solar heating systems are becoming increasingly popular. This has allowed for use of exterior swimming pools all year long in a more energy efficient manner.
There are four primary components in this type of system. The solar collector, a pump, a valve and a filter. As with traditional pool systems, debris is removed from the water through the filter. The difference is that the pump uses a flow control valve to pushes the water to the solar collectors. The warmed water is then pumped back to the pool.
There are two primary types of collectors. One is the unglazed solar collector. This is the most cost effective and simplest option to install, maintain and use. Unglazed collectors are not covered by a glass layer and are made of plastic or rubber. The primary disadvantage is that they are less efficient in colder climates. Obviously this would not be a consideration in Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Needles, or communities in the Colorado River Valley.
Glazed solar collectors are more expensive. This is mainly due to the extensive uses of iron tempered glass, aluminum, and copper. These panels have been proven to be very efficient for domestic water heating needs in colder climates. However, it is recommended that both glazed and unglazed collectors be protected against freezing.
As swimming pools looses heat even on warm days resultant of evaporation, use of a solar collector system can aid in ensuring consistent temperatures in an energy efficient manner. This has the added advantage of ensuring swimming pool use in every season without increasing utility bills.
So why would a person choose solar collectors? As the technologies behind them evolve, the cost for purchase becomes more feasible. And as they can cut the cost of energy bills, there is a shorter payback time on investment. As a bonus, electricity and natural gas prices continue to increase but the cost of use for solar energy is mostly limited to maintenance. And the projected life span for collectors is twenty years. And solar heating systems can be adapted to work with automatic control systems. This is an additional cost saving measure.
From design to installation and pool cleaning to pool equipment, in the upper Colorado River Valley, Baron Services is your one stop shop for all swimming pool needs. You can rest assured that the professionals at Baron will provide unequaled service regardless of changing times.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America