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What can I expect from a solar heating system ?

-In a good spring (like 2003), you will be able to swim (temp min 22 degC - 72F) in April.
-From May 15 till Sept 15, you will be able to swim daily. The temperature of the water will be equal to the maximum day temperature.
-In June-July-August, you will reach temperatures of 28-32 degC / 82-90F. Above 30 DegC, you will have to use more chlorine!

22°C = 72F (= minimum swimming temperature) - 25°C = 77F - 28°C = 82F (=comfortable)

These temperatures were measured in my inground "Seuropool", made of isolating polystyrene blocks. The surface of my solar heating equals the surface of the pool. The heating is mounted under a 10 degrees angle towards the south. A temperature controler is switching on and off the pump. The pool is covered by a bubble cover. The average temperature between May 15th and September 15th was 28,3° (=83F) and the maximum temperature raise per day was 4°C (7,2F).

What surface of solar heating do I need ?

In general, we recommend to have 75% of your pool area in solar heating pannels.

In Nothern Europe, the ideal slope to put the solar heating 30degrees and oriented towards the South.
For a temp increase of 3 degC - 6F, you will need ideal circumstancies (Coverd pool - slope 30 degrees south) and 75% of the surface of the pool in solar heating.
-If the pool is not covered, multiply the surface by 2.
-If the solar heating is oriented towards East or West, multiply the surface by 1.5.
-If the solar heating is on a flat roof , East or West, multiply the surface by 1.1
-If the solar heating is on a straight wall , multiply the surface by 2.

The surface of heating needed is always related to the area of the pool, as 80% of the heat loss occurs via the water surface.

You can calculate the solar heaters you need (including connecting pieces) via our turbocalculator for solar heating.

What is the difference between Smartpool and Rubber solar heating?

The main differences are that the Smartpool heating is more expensive, made out of polypropylene and that it has fixed dimentions. (0,6mx6m of 1,2mx6m / 2x20ft or 4x20ft). The rubber heating is tailored to your needs.

Smartpool	Rubber

The necessary surface of both systems are comparable.

The Smartpool 0,6 x 6 m (2'x20') is made for small aboveground pools. The diameter of the connections is 3,2 -3,8 cm (1 1/2 -1 1/4 inch). It is easy to connect 3 solar heaters. The connector pieces are included in the kit.

The Smartpool 1,22 x 6 m (4'x20') and the rubber heater is made for larger aboveground and inground pools. The diameter of the connections is 5 cm (2 inch). It is easy to connect multiple solar heaters. The connector pieces are included in the kit.

The Smartpool products are made of high quality chlorine and UV resistant black material (Polypropylene). See also www.smartpool.com

Given some creativity, you can easily attach the smartpool heaters ot a roof (using straps, hooks ...)

The rubber heaters are made of high quality chlorine and UV resistant black material (EPDM rubber). See also www.emersol.com

Given some creativity, you can easily attach the smartpool heaters ot a roof (using straps, hooks ...)

How do the solar heaters work?

-The swimming pool pump circulates the water through the absorber. Via an orifice, part of the water is sent through the fine plastic tubes (a couple of mm diameter).
-The water is heated by the sun while passing through the fine tubes.
-The warm water returns to the swimming pool.

For the large Smartpool (1m20 x 6m , 4 x 20 ft) and the rubber heaters, the water comes in from one side and goes out the other side (6m or 20 ft further for the Smartpool case).

The small Smartpool (0,6 x 6m , 4 x 20 ft) has a special device. A orifice makes the water make a loop through the heating, and therefore the inlet and outlet are on the same side. Due to the orifice design, only 3 heaters can be connected together.

Installing your Smartpool solar heating system is easy.

1. Put the solar heating in the sun, and let it warm up before opening up.
2. Put the Solar heating on its destination spot. When this is a inclined roof, you may need a little creativity to fix the heating to the roof. Attach is using strings, or fix it to a concrete mat or a garden fence which previously, you attached to the roof. Ideally, place the heating under a 30¢ª angle and oriented to the south.
3. For the small smartpool (0,6 x 6m , 2 x 20 ft) : Look into the 2 tubes of the heater. In one tube, you will see a orifice. On this tube, you have to make the inlet AND outlet connection. The connections on the 2x20 ft Smartpool solar heater are 1,5 inch connections. You may need a 1,5 to 2 inch connector.For the large smartpool (1,22 x 6m , 2x20 ft) and the rubber heating : connect the inlet and outlet as shown on the draing below.
4. On the other tube, put the 2 stops.
5. If you have more than one solar heating, join them together with the black flexible tubing in the box.
6. Start the pump as soon as the sun is shining.

Also read the chapters "Why do I need a 3-valve connection kit" and "Why do I need a temperature controller?"

You can calculate the solar heaters you need (including connecting pieces) via our turbocalculator for solar heating.

How do I have to make a by-pass Why do I need a by-pass on my solar heating system?

It is desirable to have the pump on circulation and to filter the swimming pool water while not going over the solar heating system. In summer, the swimming pool water temperature can raise to levels of more than 86 degree F (30 deg). Underthese circumstances, it is necessary to filter 16-20 hrs/day to avoid algae growth. On rainy days or overnights, the solar heating system will cool down the water rather than heating it.

How do I have to make a by-pass ?

You have to connect your heating system such that it is possible to by-pass the solar heater. You have 2 possibilities : via 3 separate valves and via a 3-way valve. The connectionare made as shown on the photograph below

The 3-valve set-up is a cheaper, but more difficult to explain to operate. It may be desirable to use the 3 way valve when you need to explain a friend or a neighbour how to "baby-sit"your pool when you're on holiday.

The connection is made in exactly the same manner for the Smartpool 1,22x6m and the corrugated tubes. Only, for these heaters we do not need a reduction piece/tubing since all connections are 2'' (5cm).

You can calculate the solar heaters you need (including connecting pieces) via our turbocalculator for solar heating.

How does the by-pass for swimming pool heating work?

In the Photo above, the 2 upper valves are open and the lower valve is shut. The water will circulate over the heater. If the lower valve is openend and the top valves are shut, the water will not circulate over the heater.

Beware : never pump against all valves shut! The best system is to switch off the pump, open all valves, then shut the valves which need shutting and finally restart the pump.

For the 3-way valve, you just need to switch the valve position. You do not need to bother stopping the pump : the valve is never completely shut.

How strong does my pump need to be to make solar heating work?

The pump must have a flow of minimum 4 m3/hr (220gph). If the solar heating is at a height or at a large distance of the swimming pool, it may be necessary to place a larger pump or a booster pump. See also : dimentioning of swimming pool pumps.

Why do I need a temperature controller?

Especially in may, June and from mid August onwards, clouds can throw a shadow on the heating system. In a few minutes, the temperature on the roof can drop from 85-75F (25-30 degC) to 64-68 F (18-20 degC ). During such instances, the solar heating will cool down the swimming pool water, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Which types of temperature controllers exist?

There are 2 types of temperature controlers .
- Controlling via the swimming pool pump: each time the temperature of the roof drops, the pump will automatically stop pumping. When the temperature rises, the pump will switch on again. A "differential" will take care that the pump does not break down by switching on-off-on rapidly

-Controlling via a automated valve: The swimming pool pump will run a full day. When the temperature of the roof is higher than the swimming pool water, a valve will shut and oblige the water to run over the heating system. As soon as the roof cools down, the valve will open and the water will by-pass the heating system. The advantage of this system is that the pump can run smoothly all the time

How do I connect my temperature controler ?

On a temperature controler, there ore twe temperature meters: one for the water and one for the roof. The water temperature meter has to be in the cold water of the filter outlet. The roof temperature probe has to be close to the solar heating, in full sunshine.

If you steer the pump via the minisol temperature controler, here is how to connect it:

What do I have to do with my solar heating in winter ?

Just empty it! Everything can stay outdoors the whole winter.