There are a few misconceptions about solar pool heaters, mostly discussed by people that have never installed or  experienced a solar pool heater in action.

Myth #1 Solar pool heating takes too long to heat up.

Solar pool heaters provide a gradual rise in the temperature of pools each day and over a period of days depending on the weather. This is not usually considered a disadvantage, because unlike other heat sources, a solar heated pool is warmer than an unheated pool every day of the year. You don’t have to wait for pool water to warm up after turning on your heater because it is “always on.” Electric heat pumps and gas heaters require planning ahead and must be turned on well before pool use to reach the same temperature that a solar pool heater reaches every day.

Myth #2 Solar heating only adds as much heat as the outside air temperature.

The theory here is that if it’s only 75 degrees outside, you can only get the pool up to 75 degrees using a solar pool heater. Nonsense, you can easily raise the temperature of the water to a higher level than the outside air.

Myth #3 Solar heating only works on bright, sunny days.

It works best on bright, sunny days – but even on overcast days, where the sun rarely makes an appearance, solar energy is present and being collected. A solar controller ensures If it’s raining however, or cloudy with low temperatures, r the solar pool heater will not run, avoiding cooling the pool. 

Myth #4 Solar pool heater panels are ugly

To some perhaps, but to someone that likes saving money while saving the planet, the black rectangles on your roof are a badge of honor, and a real conversation piece. Not into having panels on your roof, a ground mount system is an option - out of sight, on the backside of the fence, or on top of a shade pavilion or pool house. 

Myth #5 Solar pool heating panels are inefficient

A properly sized and installed solar pool heating system can raise the temperature of your pool by 10-15 ºF above that of an unheated pool. The size of your system and its relation to the size of your pool is very important. Solar pool heating systems efficiently heat pool water to temperatures every day that would cost a fortune with an electric heat pump or gas heater.