Looking to save money on your pool heating costs? Solar thermal panels capture energy from the sun, just like photovoltaic panels, but they generate heat instead of electricity. This efficient heating slashes energy bills for households with pools.
In this article, we’ll dive into what you should know about solar thermal panels, including:
- What solar thermal panels are and how they work
- How much money you can save with solar thermal panels
- Benefits of installing solar thermal panels
- Whether you should choose solar thermal or photovoltaic panels
- If solar thermal is right for your home
Join us to learn more about whether solar is ideal for your home’s energy needs.
Turn Sunshine Into Savings With Solar Pool Heating
Save money powering your everyday life. At Celestial Solar & Water Systems, we’ve been providing the best quality products and services since 2001. Reach out today for an estimate on solar thermal panels.
What Are Solar Thermal Panels, and How Do They Work?
Home solar panels fall into two main categories:
- Solar electric panels
- Solar thermal panels
Solar electric panels, also called photovoltaic panels, convert the sun’s energy into electricity. Solar thermal panels, on the other hand, collect heat from the sun and transfer it to water passing through the system.
When the panels heat water for household use, a heat exchanger transfers the warmth to a hot water tank. However, pool systems work by moving the pool’s water itself through the system using a pump, maximizing efficiency.
How Much Money Can You Save With Solar Thermal Panels?
Solar pool heating typically costs less than $1 a day — a fraction of what gas or heat pumps cost to run. As such, if you’re wondering whether solar thermal panels are worth it, the answer is usually yes. The value rises even further if you need to heat a relatively large pool due to the linear costs of gas or electricity.
Of course, you still need to factor annual savings against the cost of the solar hot water system. This cost may rise depending on how many solar panels you need to heat your pool, but it’s usually similar to heat pump systems.
The average solar water heater pays for itself in 1-7 years and lasts up to 20. A gas pool heater, in comparison, may only last 5 years, and the high operation costs continue over this time.
Benefits of Installing Solar Thermal Panels
Reducing energy bills is the biggest benefit solar thermal panels bring to your household. However, they also offer a few other perks:
- Reduced environmental impact. Solar thermal panels reduce your carbon footprint, heating your pool using clean, renewable energy. They also don’t release emissions during operation, unlike gas.
- Decreased maintenance needs. Solar heating doesn’t require much maintenance. The panels have no moving parts like motors, minimizing wear and tear.
- Increased lifespan. Solar thermal panels match or even outlast the lifespan of heat pumps. Their longevity is typically twice that of gas systems.
- Improved power supply. Solar works with both direct and diffuse sunlight. Unlike heat pumps, solar generally maintains efficiency in colder weather.
- Improved home value. Solar thermal panels appeal to home buyers who prioritize value and environmental impact. Given this, panels can boost your home value if you plan to sell.
Should You Choose Solar Thermal or Photovoltaic Panels?
Wondering whether solar thermal panels or photovoltaic panels are better for your home? Generally, it’ll come down to one question: Do you also want to power your home?
Solar electricity systems provide electricity, which you can use for multiple things, such as running a dishwasher or a pool’s heat pump. However, this versatility comes at the cost of lower efficiency. It’s always more cost-effective to heat a pool with solar thermal panels, but they can’t power your household.
Is Solar Thermal Right for Your Home?
Solar thermal panels are easily the best option for heating a pool of any size. However, the value increases with bigger pools and if you need year-round heating. They may not be the most economical choice if you rarely use your pool.
In any case, a professional like Celestial Solar & Water Systems can help you better understand your options.
Slash Energy Bills With Solar Thermal Panels!
Ready to cut your energy bills? Our factory-trained technicians use products proudly made in the USA, providing the unbeatable quality your home deserves. We’re southern California, Arizona, and Nevada’s sole Factory Authorized Distributor for the ISwim, Solaria, and Q-cells Solar Panels.
