How many Bahamians own a pool? We enjoy pool parties, family and fun in the water, swimming for exercise or just relaxing. Let me correct that – we enjoy these things for about half the year. It feels like, for the other half, the water is just too cold for us.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could heat your pool for free and benefit from it all year? Of course, there are many options for heating a pool. You can use oil, propane, natural gas or an electric heat pump. However, for a regular or commercial sized swimming pool, the most cost-effective option by far is solar thermal pool heating. Why? You can’t beat free!

Much like water sitting in a hose gets warmed in the sun, a solar thermal system uses the sun to heat water for free. This happens automatically every day. At essentially no cost to you (except for your pool pump that is running anyway), you get to enjoy a mid-80ºF pool for as much of the year as you like!

Here’s how a solar thermal pool heating system works:

Step 1: While your pool pump does its normal job, it also moves water to the solar collectors.

Step 2: Cool pool water enters the solar collector from the bottom.

Step 3: As water flows upward through the collector tubes, our tropical sun heats the water for free.

Step 4: The warm water is then returned to your pool.

Step 5: You enjoy swimming in your comfortable, mid-80 degree water all year long!

At this point, it should be said that not all solar thermal systems are created equal. Here are a few helpful things to look for if you want a good system:

• Is the system adjustable to match the size of your pool? You don’t want to squeeze a sumo wrestler into skinny jeans, and you don’t want the wrong sized pool heater for your pool. Your energy solutions professional should have a reliable system calculator to right-size your system.

• How easy is the system to install? Is a complete package provided? Easily installed systems save you valuable labor costs and help avoid errors.

• What shapes are the tubes inside the thermal collectors? This one’s a bit technical, but suffice it to say that the “super-ellipse” shape gets you better performance than circle, rectangle or any other shape. Insist on super-ellipse to get the best cool weather and windy day performance, which is when you need it most.

• Does the system come with a lifetime warranty? Good systems do. If the manufacturer won’t stand behind its product, you probably should not either.

• How environmentally friendly is the system? Is it built to be durable and last instead of filling the garbage dump? Superior systems have UV stabilizers and strong materials to stand up to nature.

• Good systems are also economic. Low cost and easy install let your heater pay for itself in just a few years in comparison to other heating options.

• Is the system automatic? Getting a superior system means you don’t have to stress about anything. You just enjoy your heated pool!

• Finally, is the system hurricane tested? This is especially important in The Bahamas. A good system will withstand wind speeds of 150 mph+.

Does a solar pool heater sound like something you might be interested in? Good systems go for about $4,000 to $10,000 installed, depending on the site and pool size. If that’s in your budget, and you want to make the most use of your pool all year round, have more fun or just be able to brag, then a solar pool heater is something that can open up your year. Pool party this winter anyone? It’s warmer in the water.

• Joshua Key is the general manager for SuperGreen Solutions Bahamas, located on Wulff Road next to FYP. SuperGreen Solutions leads the market as one of the premier advisors, suppliers and installers of domestic and commercial energy efficient solutions, making it truly a ‘one-stop energy-efficient solution shop’. Having been in the energy efficiency industry for over 19 years the founders have established a solid reputation spanning five continents. It is different because it looks at energy creation and energy saving from a holistic point of view, to provide clients with total solutions.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian