Pool solar heaters offer a number of benefits.
They are efficient, they are environmentally friendly, and they help you extend your swimming season to the very edge of the warm weather.
As great as they are, though, making the choice to go solar versus staying with traditional pool heat pumps is not something you should do lightly.
Find out what practical and financial questions you need to consider before you jump into the solar scene, and learn how your local pool heater expert can help you decide if solar pool heating is right for you.
When it comes to considering the pros and cons of installing a solar heater for pool use, there is one very big question on the table right away.
Does your property get enough sunlight to make a solar heating system viable? If the location, orientation of your home, or vegetation surrounding your property mean that it gets minimal sun, then installing solar pool heating panels is probably not a good choice.
Another element that can get in the way of making the switch to solar is roof size.
Solar pool heating systems are actually located on the roof of your home, so that the most direct solar energy can be harnessed.
Even if your property gets plenty of sunlight, there are cases in which your roof may be too small to support a solar heating system.
  Determining if your home is right for a solar heating system is not, probably, a determination that you can make on your own.
You can, though, contact your local pool pro for an expert opinion.
He or she will be able to help you determine if solar pool heaters will work on your property.
If you're good to go solar, then your pro can also identify the best location for the solar panels so that you capture the optimum amount of solar energy.
If you luck out and are in a good spot to go solar, then the next thing to think about is the initial cost.
Installing solar pool heating is not cheap.
In fact, the upfront cost of installing solar heating is significantly greater than installing a traditional system.
This initial cost is offset by major savings in the long term, but you do have to pay a chunk at the outset in order to save down the line.
Deciding if that one-time cost is worth it is something that you and your family will have to do on your own.
At the end of the day, you should go with what's right for you.
If installing a solar heating system for your pool is not in your budget at the moment, you might choose to wait on installing it, or you might opt for a traditional heating system instead.
Installing a solar pool heating system is a great option, but it may not be the right one for you.
Contact your local pool heat pump and solar pool heating professional to learn more and to get expert help in making your decision.