Using swimming pool solar panels for heating the water is an economical and practical method that saves on power costs. It is also an environmentally-friendly method of heating the water that allows swimming activities to be comfortably enjoyed for more months of the year.

Technology has advanced at a fast rate in the past few years, which has drastically lowered the cost of solar heating and the installation of the system. Research has discovered better ways of using the sun's energy and how to use cheaper materials in the manufacture of systems.

Plastics are now used for components of water heating systems for pools because the water is considered non-potable. The pump that runs the filtration unit can also be used to circulate the water through the solar water-heating unit, saving the cost of another pump. A safety valve automatically opens when the desired water temperature is reached and the water goes back without having been heated any more.

Solar panels need to be mounted so that they face the direction which receives the most direct sunlight in the day. This could be on the shed that houses the pump and filter, on a frame on the ground or on the house roof. Heat collectors are set under the panel and the water pipes are fitted below these. The sun heats the panel, the heat transfers to the collectors and then into the water as it passes underneath.

Some systems will also provide the power to run the filter and pump, making the whole system almost completely self-sufficient. The cooler months may represent a problem in some areas, but grid power may be used to carry the system over this short period of time. It is also possible to have the system provide hot water for the home as well.

Like with so many industries, costs vary and you will do well to shop around to find the system that suits your needs the best and to get the best price. Apart from the cost of the unit and its installation, there may be maintenance costs, although these tend to be few and far between. Damage from extreme weather conditions is the biggest potential problem; check whether your household insurance policy covers this. The cheapest option will be the one that just heats the swimming-pool water.

Swimming pool solar panels are a good investment in most cases because of the potential saving on power costs and the increased time the swimming-pool can be comfortably used. Add to this the potential to also heat water for use in the house, and you have a win-win situation.

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