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Solar Energy Systems
John Herbert
Director
Capturing solar radiation is a cost effective method to reduce
your operating costs.
Above: simple solar collector
Once installed, solar energy is free! and can dramatically reduce your
energy bills. Solar water heaters are not suitable for every location,
before considering a solar thermal system consult the experts.
And remember that lower utility bills provides indirect
benefits - reducing your environmental footprint.
Swimming pools
A solar heating system for your pool is an economical
alternative to conventional heaters. Properly designed solar
collectors capture free energy from the sun and use it to heat
your pool.
Solar water heating also extends your swimming season whilst
reducing monthly fuel bills, and without depleting non-renewable
resources such as fossil fuels.
In fact, solar pool heating is the most economical solar application
today. Solar heaters already make up over 10 percent of all new pool
heating equipment sales in Canada - Yes, that's right cold snowy
Canada!
Solar - Five Good Reasons
Even Canadians are using solar energy to heat their pools, here
are five good reasons to consider solar water heating:
No. 1: Saves money
Lowering your pool heating costs saves you money.
The price of energy has always been increasing, sooner rather
than later, these cost will be passed on the pool owners - on the
other hand, after you invest in solar - the sun's energy is free!
Over a fifteen year period, you could spend five, six times or more money
heating with gas what you would spend on installing a solar heater today.
Once your solar system is installed energy bills are dramatically
reduced.
Many pool owners switch to solar because it meets all of their heating
needs. But even if you continue to use a gas or electric heater as a
backup, solar is a very smart investment that will save you money, year
after year.
No. 2: Extends swim season
Solar water heating allows you to extend your swimming season
whether or not you have an existing heater. You can keep your pool
warmer and open longer with free energy from the sun.
In most areas a solar heater used in combination with a good quality
pool cover can add two to four weeks to the beginning and end of the
swimming season. You get a longer swimming season for free, whilst
improving customer satisfaction.
No. 3: Durability
Solar equipment is durable, and often lasts longer than gas or
electric heaters. With proper annual maintenance, one can expect
fuelled heaters to last seven to ten years.
Most gas heaters have a two-year warranty, and well-made heat
pumps carry a two-year warranty with five-year warranty on the
compressors.
Solar panels generally have a minimum ten year warranty, and
often last up to twenty years. That means owner might change their
fossil fuel heaters TWICE during the lifespan of one good quality solar
collector.
No. 4: Lower maintenance
Solar water heating systems requires less maintenance which
lowers your operating cost.
Unlike gas and electric heaters, which must be serviced by a registered
technician every year - a solar water heater requires very little
servicing. That means less hassle and lower costs for you. And less
downtime means more income for commercial operators, keeping your
customers happy.
No. 5: Environment benefits
If saving money is not reason enough, going solar energy is
good for the environment. The damaging effect of burning fossil fuels
is well known, polluting the air we breathe.
Burning fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides that
cause the formation of photochemical smog in urban areas. Using solar energy heating
instead of fossil fuel can help, it reduces pollution whilst saving you
money.
Burning fuels also releases carbon dioxide, the main cause of climate
change. Replacing you gas heater with a solar heater could prevent
three to ten tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each
season. That's about the same amount produced by operating your car for
one year!
How does a solar heater work?
A solar pool heater is simple to operate and doesn't change
the way you operate your pool.
Solar collectors are usually mounted on the roof or another structure.
This is the least expensive option and doesn't take up extra space on
the site. When suitable roof space is not available, collectors can be
ground-mounted on a rack.
The existing pool pump is used to circulate water from the pool through
the solar collectors and back to the pool. On sunny days, an automatic
controller diverts the water to the solar panel, it is really that
simple.
The key to a successful project, and lower bills is the properly designed
and selected the equipment.
About the Author
John Herbert is a
veteran chief engineer with more than 30 years international engineering experience, educated in
the United Kingdom, he worked in the UK and then across Asia for more than two decades
engaged by international and local companies. He is a Hong Kong Registered Energy
Assessor (REA) and BEAM Professional, and is stationed in Hong Kong.