Pool Solar Heaters

California's Yungermans Appreciate the Value of Solar Power

In 1984, the Yungermans hired solar installers SolarCraft to construct a system that could provide heat to their pool by harnessing the power of the sun. The solar heating system for a pool works like a filtration system. When the solar panels collecting the sunlight reach a certain temperature, cold water from the pool is shuttled through them, heated up and then sent back to the pool. The solar collector for the Yungerman's pool is incredibly efficient, as it converts up to 90 percent of the sun's energy into heat, according to SolarCraft . As opposed to other natural gas heaters, which during 1984 peaked at $2.66 per thousand square feet (Mcf), according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis , the solar heating system is one hundred percent free as it runs off of sunlight. According to the U.S. Department of Energy , homes in California spent an average of $2,381 to heat their homes with gas in 2010. The California family used tax credits and a state-run program to have the panels installed for zero dollars down and no out-of-pocket expenses. The tax credit is federally run and allows homeowners that use a renewable energy source, such as solar power, to apply for a 30 percent tax credit for the year of their installation to minimize the cost, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). The opportunity for this credit does not end until December of 2016. The other program the Yungerman's used to completely erase the installation cost was the California-run Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP). The program is a financing incentive that grants homeowners and business owners with efficiency technologies a minimum of $2,500 to more than $500,000. An amount between $2,500 and $5,000 can be paid back within 10 years, while over $5,000 can be repaid over 10 to 20 years. Any higher amounts will be required specific approval, according to DSIRE .

Solar energy uses | solar pool heaters | solar lights | Ecooutfitters

Here at Ecooutfitters.net, we are devoted to connecting eco-conscious homeowners and business owners with the best solar PV installers in their region in order to ensure top quality solar PV installations. But sometimes, it’s nice to reflect on how solar energy got to where it is today — and in what other applications you’ll find solar already in use.

Thin film silicon solar cells first hit the mass market in the early 1970s when they were used to power small toys and those ubiquitous solar calculators carried by students. As new solar technologies developed, it paved the way to solar PV installations to power homes, businesses, and even airports.

But you can still save lots of money with solar energy in other apps — and not just with a solar PV installation for your home (although that is one of the best ways to reduce your electric bill costs!).

Solar to Heat Your Pool The ultimate in passive solar design, if you hate going from these 90 degree temps into a freezing cold pool, a solar-powered pool cover can help. Sometimes all you need is a pool cover that attracts and collects the sunlight and uses it to warm the water in the pool. But a solar water heater for your pool — used with a cover — is a good investment of under $100 or so. (Energy credits and incentives may even be available!) A solar pool heater uses inexpensive solar panels to heat the water, then your pool’s filter does the rest — circulating the heated water throughout your swimming pool. Ahhh! Pathway lights and party lights are great uses of solar technology. The lights collect solar energy during the day and when you’re ready to party, welcome guests, or just add a little bit of light to your yard, the lights come on. This is, perhaps, one of the best indicators of the dropping prices of solar energy.

Solar to Charge Your Cell Phone A full-time freelance writer, Dawn frequently covers energy efficiency, green living, and topics like LED lighting and whole home control systems for a number of blogs and technology trade magazines. Dawn is proud to live in New York as the state vies to beat out New Jersey as the East coast top dog of solar energy and is waiting for the Solar Renewable Energy Certificate legislation to pass before installing solar panels on her Long Island home.