swimming pools

Solar heating for swimming pools is a well-established technology that works well in the UK, and on larger properties combined heat and power units can also be an efficient and low-carbon option.

Solar heating for swimming pools is a different technology from domestic water heating. There are several systems, but the emphasis is on simple, unglazed collectors circulating water directly into the pool. For indoor pools you'll find you need a collector of about the same surface area as the pool; and for outdoor pools, half as much. This will maintain temperature during the summer (provided you keep the pool covered when not in use) but isn't sufficient to heat the pool up at the beginning of the season. Costs will typically be a few thousand pounds - but it depends on pool size.

Combined heat and power can be very attractive for pools: while maintaining the pool temperature in summer you will generate electricity that you can power your home with; and during the winter you can use the plant to heat your home instead - and still generate electricity. Small-scale combined heat and power units suited to large domestic properties and small hotels are now available in the UK, and several thousand are installed and working effectively on the continent. You size the system to heat your pool, and excess electricity can be sold to the grid.

We can provide a tailored estimate and specification service giving you a preliminary specification for a pool heating system including indicative costs and economic and environmental impacts.