Are there any solar heating that work?

[newguyjosh]

We have a 24' round above ground pool in central Indiana. The house included a old propane heater but the pilot will not light and with the cost of propane I'm not sure it's with having someone come to try and fix it. So I was wondering if there are any relatively simple to install solar heating options that can help get the water ready to swim a little earlier in the year and allow it to stay open a little later in the year. Looking to spend $350 at most and not willing to install anything on roof of house. Any good options?


If we were to try to get the heater fixed so we can an hvac company or a pool store to look at it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JohnT]

At that price point you are probably limited to the eBay solar panels on the ground and a solar blanket. The solar blanket and a way to handle it would be the best return on your money.

 

[jblizzle]

Solar heating is all about sun exposure ... so the bigger the better.

Do you have a cover? That will hold a lot of the heat in at night.

On ebay you can spend ~$160 for 80 sqft of solar panels ... but you have to have room for the 20' x 4' mats.

 

[newguyjosh]

Thanks. We do have a cover

Do systems like either of the following work?

SolarPro Pool Heating Solar Panels For Sale | Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

Solar Dome Pool Solar Heaters for Sale - Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

 

[jblizzle]

Thanks. We do have a cover

Do systems like either of the following work?

SolarPro Pool Heating Solar Panels For Sale | Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

Solar Dome Pool Solar Heaters for Sale - Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

Not as well as the larger panels. Sure, they add heat, but if they do not add enough they tell you to just keep buying more and they are very expensive.