Solar Pool Heating
One of Florida's lowest-operating-cost ways to heat a pool when the roof faces the sun. Once it's installed, the sun does the work and there's no fuel to buy.
Pool solar is one of Florida's lowest-operating-cost methods for extending the swimming season when the home has suitable roof orientation and sun exposure. A set of solar collectors is mounted on your roof (or a nearby rack), and in most cases your existing pool pump pushes water through them. As water flows across the sun-warmed panels it picks up heat and returns to the pool a few degrees warmer; the Florida Solar Energy Center puts the most efficient rise at 3°F to 5°F per pass.
Because the fuel is free sunlight, the U.S. Department of Energy describes solar pool heaters as cost competitive with gas and heat pump pool heaters, with very low annual operating costs. The collectors themselves are quiet and have no moving parts.
We size and design every system for your specific pool, roof orientation, and how you actually use your pool. The Florida Solar Energy Center's sizing method starts from the swimming season you want, anywhere from nine months to year-round, so that's one of the first questions we'll ask.
Why choose solar heating?
Very low operating cost
Sunlight is free, and in most cases the pool pump you already run does the circulating. Some retrofits need a larger pump or a small booster pump to move water up to the collectors, and we check for that during the assessment.
A longer swimming season
Collector area sets the season. More collector area means a longer season, and the Florida Solar Energy Center sizes Florida systems for anything from nine months to year-round, assuming the pool has a cover.
Clean, quiet, and durable
No combustion, no fumes and no compressor. The Department of Energy says proper maintenance keeps a solar pool heating system running smoothly for 10 to 20 years, and that solar systems typically last longer than gas and heat pump pool heaters.
Works alongside a backup heater
Solar doesn't have to be the only heater on the pad. It can share the plumbing with a heat pump or gas heater that covers cloudy stretches, and the heater's manufacturer sets where the collectors tie in; GulfStream's installation manual, for example, plumbs solar in after the heat pump.
How it works
- 1
Free on-site assessment
We evaluate your pool size, roof space, sun exposure, and plumbing to design the right system, no guesswork, no pressure.
- 2
Custom system design & quote
You get a clear, itemized proposal with the panel count and total collector area (the figure the Florida Solar Energy Center says matters most when comparing quotes), expected performance, and a fair, competitive price.
- 3
Professional installation
Our licensed team handles mounting, plumbing, and controls. How long the install takes depends on the roof and the number of collectors.
- 4
Startup & walkthrough
We commission the system, show you how it works, and make sure you're comfortable running it before we leave.
Solar Heating questions
How warm will my pool actually get?
That depends mainly on collector area, sun exposure and whether you use a pool cover. The Florida Solar Energy Center sizes systems to reach the temperatures most Florida swimmers find comfortable, about 78°F to 80°F in spring and fall and 76°F in winter, and its sizing tables assume a covered pool. FSEC has also found that a cover on its own can add 5°F to 10°F, depending on how many hours a day it's on, so a cover is worth pairing with solar.
How many panels do I need?
The U.S. Department of Energy's rule of thumb is a collector area equal to 50% to 100% of the pool's surface area, and its Florida example, a 15-by-30-foot pool used year-round, calls for the full 100%, or 450 square feet of collectors. A pool cover reduces the area you need. We'll calculate the exact number during your free assessment.
What happens on cloudy days or in winter?
Solar heats best on sunny days. During cool, cloudy stretches you'll see less gain, which is why some homeowners pair solar with a heat pump for on-demand backup. We're happy to walk you through the options.
How long do solar pool systems last?
The U.S. Department of Energy says proper maintenance keeps a solar pool heating system running smoothly for 10 to 20 years, and that solar systems typically last longer than gas and heat pump pool heaters. The panels have no moving parts, so maintenance is minimal; the Florida Solar Energy Center's advice is to keep the pool's chemistry and filter in good order, and to ask about the collector warranty when you compare quotes.
What solar customers say
A perfect 5.0-star rating on both review profiles, from 460+ on Angi and 15 on Google.
“Henry was fast to come out and take care of our solar system for the pool. He was able to explain the services and completed the job quickly. He did an amazing job! We would highly recommend his services as well as we will use him again for any of our pool needs.”
Ask Henry
More on solar pool heating
What solar costs, how many collectors a pool needs, how it does in winter, which roofs work, and how leaks get fixed.
- How much does solar pool heating cost in Florida?
- Solar pool heating vs electric heat pump in Florida, and can you run both?
- How many solar panels does my pool need?
- Is solar pool heating worth it in Florida?
- Can pool solar be installed on tile, metal or shingle roofs?
- Why is my solar pool heating leaking, and can it be repaired?
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