Using solar heating for your pool can dramatically cut down on the gas or electric bill, increase the swim time each year, and overall make using your pool a more enjoyable experience. While installing solar panels for electricity generation can get a bit complicated, installing solar panels in pools is relatively simple.

Here 3 basic tips for diy how to install solar panels in pools:

1. Know what kind of roof you have, and the direction of the sun:

Installing solar heating for your pool usually works best when it is on the roof. This ensures that it is above the shade of trees, bushes, and even the shadow of the home itself. Some roof types are easier to install on than others are. Sloped roofs are the best, whether tile or shingle composition, and flat roofs are more difficult. On a flat roof, it is usually required to mount the solar panels on a framework first, and it is required to create an angled mount to assist the water draining back to the pool. On sloped roofs, the panels attach directly to the roof using mounting brackets. The slope of the roof provides ample angle for draining the heated water back to the pool.

It is also important to know the direction of the sun during the peak swimming months. You want the panels exposed to the maximum amount of sunlight for best results. On some homes that might be the front of the roof, on others the back.

2. Make sure you purchase the right kind of solar panels for your climate

Solar panels come in two broad types, with many variations in style. There are flexible solar panels, and rigid solar panels. If you live in an area that gets cold enough that water can freeze in the winter, make sure you choose a flexible solar panel. Flexibility gives them the ability to contract and expand during cold weather, preventing a burst. Most solar panels built today are of the flexible style.

3. Be careful to moderate the pump pressure through the solar panels.

The key to longevity is to moderate the pressure to as low as needed to circulate the heated water. The normal course of action is to funnel water from the filter pump up to the roof using pvc pipes, where it then splits off and circulates through the solar panels and gets heated. The water travels through micro-channels, which then collect into another recirculation pipe that heads down and empties the heated water into the pool. If too much pressure is applied, this dramatically lowers the lifetime of the solar panels, increasing the chances of leaks or breakage.

3 Easy Steps to Heat Your Pool Like a Pro is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Is swimming pool installation something you have been thinking about? Are you unsure of the factors which need to be taken into consideration before undertaking this type of venture? If so, this article will provide you with information that will help you with your swimming pool efforts.

Although budgeting plays a big factor in choosing a pool, this is not the only thing that needs to be considered. Primarily, you need to figure out why you want to install a pool in the first place. Do you want one for fun or for exercise? Will someone in the family benefit health-wise from everyday swimming? How much space exists for a pool? Will the pool be in use all year round? Do you know your city’s building codes? Would you want an additional spa or hot tub?

Planning ahead will aid you in decreasing extra and unnecessary costs. In general, people tend to spend much more compared to their original intentions. Therefore, you must take into account the overall landscape of the pool area and make plans for those expenses, as well. Have you thought about how much it would cost to maintain a pool? Chemicals, filters and pumps are common costs that need to be fit into the budget. The first fill of your pool will also increase the water bills within the very first month. The cost of the loss of water by regularly using the pool will also need to be considered.

There are only two kinds of swimming pools available for choice: above-ground or in-ground, and both come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Above-ground pools can be taken apart once you decide to move to another location and are therefore less expensive. Looks-wise, an above-ground pool could be planned with landscaping and decking that could compete against in-ground pools that cost much more. A lot of times, dealers that you buy the pool from will provide you with complete set-up and sometimes even services for landscaping and decking.

Cost-wise: in-ground pools definitely cost much more compared to above-ground pools that are portable. But they can also increase your property’s value. If an in-ground pool seems ideal for your personal purposes, you will have to take several steps before proceeding:

• Look for a dependable contractor
• Ensure that all of the materials and labor are included in your estimate from the contractor
• Talk to a prospective contractor’s previous customers
• Check on any previous complaints about the contractor
• Ensure that the contractor is properly licensed
• Never pay any portion of the payment with cash, even the deposit. Checks, money orders or credit cards provide an appropriate trail so that you can prove payments if necessary.

Many things need to be considered before making a huge investment with potentially huge costs that come with getting a swimming pool. However, if you plan properly, it can really be worth having something you can enjoy for years to come.

Should You Install a Swimming Pool? is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling