A solar pool heater means more enjoyment, more fun out of your swimming pool. After all, why do you have a swimming pool? It's an expensive asset on which you also spend valuable time and money, maintaining it.

There are four ways to heat your pool

• electric heater
• gas, usually a propane heater
• Electric energy
• using a pool cover
• solar pool heating

You would know already that heating a swimming pool electrically or with gas is very expensive. Consequently many people make a choice - not to heat the pool at all at cooler times of the year or day.

But this means wasting your asset just because it is expensive to heat. Why have a pool and then not swim in it? Use solar power energy and make your pool or outdoor spa an hospitable environment to enjoy at any time. A solar pool heater - or spa heater - allows you to extend the use of your pool or outdoor spa into spring and autumn, cool evenings and mornings.

Further advantages of solar pool heating include:

• You save on energy, gas or electricity, running a conventional pool heater
• Solar energy is free!
• You reduce greenhouse gas emissions

You can buy a solar pool heater, up to a cost of $2000. Or you can build one yourself. For much less.

Is a DIY solar pool heater not incredibly complex and expensive to put together? No, it only requires a good set of instructions and basic handyman's skills to build one yourself.

And the cost? It can actually be done for as little as under US$100.

Yes, of course you do need a circulation pump and if that runs on mains power it will take a measly 15 to 20 Watts only for a 30,000 litre pool. But of course, using a solar powered pump will not even require this use of mains power.

There are solar pool heaters for different situations, and they come in any size. Rooftop systems lay flat on your roof and are best for the very large pools, or you may like to consider an on the ground system. The on the ground system is installed right next to your pool with a maximum exposure to the sun's warmth.

It is the on the ground system that could be built for under US$100.

So, in selecting your solar pool heater system you need to know the size of your pool and your local weather conditions (you do need sunshine!).

Just remember that heated pool water is a good environment for bacterial and algae growth so must monitor correct chlorine or salt levels to the water. You should get expert advice about that from your local pool supplier.

Oh, and the pool cover. Yes, by all means use it as a passive solar top-up of your pool enjoyment.

Now enjoy your swim!

About the Author

Dr Erik Leipoldt has long been concerned about the effects of global warming. He uses his experience of severe disability in practical approaches towards alternate energy sources to survive and thrive with climate change. See http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/solar-pool-heater.html