SOLAR HEATING – WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION?

A swimming pool should be a source of fun, comfort and good exercise. But if you are a pool owner, you are also part of a national conversation concerning topical issues and economic trends, symbolized by the current popularity of solar heating and environmental action.  You didn’t realize you were part of that conversation, did you?

No doubt solar power is a hot trend, excuse the pun, a form of technology that - depending on your individual needs and budget - may be a worthwhile investment. After all, the leading heating systems are durable, cost-effective and easy to maintain. The way you use your pool - whether it is a backyard oasis of Playboy mansion-type nonstop activity, or a source of occasional recreation - will also largely determine the way you heat your pool. 

If solar is your answer then you will certainly be in good company; you will join a cross-section of celebrities and homeowners who appreciate the rewards and reliability of this form of energy.

We’ve all heard the adage, the sun is free.  Well, we also all know that harnessing this free energy is anything but free.  The benefits of solar power are incredible, no doubt! A solar-powered pool can easily last 12 to 15 years and it only takes a day or so to enjoy a fully heated pool. Nothing better than jumping in a warm pool heated by the sun after a long day at the office.

Still, the ideal heating system and the initial investment you must make is the one that accurately reflects the way you use your pool. If your pool is a veritable playground of nonstop fun, then solar heating is the right system without a doubt. It probably is a very wise investment for the weekend swimmer, too.  Any usage less than that should be scrutinized.  You know how much you are currently paying to heat your pool.  Compare this number to how much a solar installation will cost.  Depending on your costs, Solar can pay for itself in about two to four years, on average.

Ask yourself this:  Will “free heat” change my usage of the pool?  In other words, if you don’t have to face a huge monthly heating bill and can enjoy a heated pool, would you and your family swim more often?  If the answer is YES! then solar heating is for you.

When shopping around, look for these features:

• Virtually maintenance-free
• Water drains from the panels when the pump is off.
• Solar panels can be positioned on rooftops, on the ground or even on fences.
• In the event a panel suffers damage, it should be able to snap off a hinge and quickly repaired.

These benefits, which constitute the equivalent of pain-free ownership and constant enjoyment, are the strongest testimonial on behalf of solar power's inherent appeal.

The panels further provide a form of longevity and efficacy that strongly complement the right homeowner's needs. Remember, cost aside, your solar heater will be an environmental boon, a form of energy that does well by doing good.  Like Mother Nature herself, solar heat sustains itself.

For more information, contact Jeff Kerber Pool Plastering, Inc. at 800-560-SWIM (7946) or visit us on the web at jeffkerber.com.