Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Question:

Which are the best solar panels for my swimming pool?

Answer:

We recommend the SOLAR-LAB Pro brand of swimming pool solar panels.

They offer excellent heating efficiency and optimum durability in the harsh South African climate.

Question:

How many solar panels do I need to heat my swimming pool?

Answer:

A minimum of x1 solar panel for every 10,000 litres of water.

As a guideline, we recommend a minimum of one solar panel for every 10,000 litres of water to get an average increase of around 8 to 10 degrees Celsius above the swimming pool’s ambient water temperature.

Certain factors will have an effect the overall efficiency of the solar panels such as the angle of the roof they are installed on and the amount of direct sunlight they are exposed to each day.

Question:

Should my swimming pool be covered if I have a solar heating system installed?

Answer:

It is not necessary to have your swimming pool covered but we do highly recommend it.

Installing a swimming pool cover along with your pool solar system ensures that the heat generated by the panels is retained overnight and greatly increases the overall efficiency and temperature gains.

We recommend using a solar blanket type pool cover with your solar heating system as these work best to increase and maintain a swimming pool’s water temperature.

Question:

Does adding more pool solar panels equal better performance?

Answer:

Yes, adding additional solar panels does increase overall heating performance.

Additional solar panels allows for higher water temperature gains in a shorter time frame.

Adding additional solar panels may also be necessary on installations with long plumbing distances and in situations where there isn’t an optimum amount of direct sunlight available to the solar heating system.

Question:

Can swimming pool solar panels be installed in conjunction with a pool heat pump?

Answer:

Yes, it is definitely possible to use both solar panels and a heat pump on the same swimming pool and these compliment each other very well.

By running solar panels alongside your heat pump it will reduce electrical consumption as well as the workload placed on the swimming pool heat pump.

Running a heat pump together with solar panels is a great solution for clients who need to have their swimming pool heat throughout the entire year.

Question:

Can I install a pool solar panel system by myself?

Answer:

Yes, we do offer complete DIY pool solar panel systems for those who would like to do their own installation.

Our DIY pool solar heating kits are also available to swimming pool builders and contractors with delivery available throughout South Africa.

Question:

Are solar panels a cost effective solution to heat my swimming pool?

Answer:

Yes, solar panels is one of the most cost effective and environmentally friendly ways to heat your swimming pool.

Solar panels make use of the free energy radiated by the sun and transfers this heat directly your swimming pool.

Swimming pool solar panels don’t require any electricity to run other than that which is already being used to run the pool pump.

Question:

What size pump do I need to run a swimming pool solar heating system?

Answer:

This generally depends on the plumbing distance that will be run between the pool pump and solar panels as well as the height of the roof they will be mounted on.

For single story roofs with a plumbing distance or less than 12-meters, a 0.75kw pool pump is generally sufficient.

For plumbing distances over 12-meters or double storey roof installations, we generally suggest a 1.1kw pump or larger in extreme situations.

Question:

Can solar panels be used to heat a Jacuzzi?

Answer:

Yes, solar panels can be used to heat your Jacuzzi and are very effective at doing so.

Solar panels are a great solution to save on your Jacuzzi’s electrical heating costs.

Question:

What is the best type of cover to use on my swimming pool?

Answer:

This will depend on the primary function which the swimming pool cover needs to serve.

Solar blanket covers are the best choice for increasing your swimming pool’s water temperature.

They are also recommended to be used along with pool solar panels and heat pumps when building up and retaining high water temperatures is the priority.

Please note that solar pool covers should never be used a safety device as these float on the water’s surface and cannot prevent children or pets from falling into a swimming pool.

Question:

What is the best type of cover to secure my swimming pool against accidental drownings?

Answer:

We recommend the solid PVC covers with aluminium pole supports as the best option to prevent drownings.

These modern pool safety covers are convenient for adults to work with while providing optimal levels of safety for young children and pets.

Question:

Is there a difference between the standard PVC pool covers and solid pool safety covers?

Answer:

Yes, although the standard PVC pool covers provides some measure of protection against accidental drownings, they are not fully suited for this purpose. As rain water can accumulate on the surface of a standard PVC cover, this can pose danger especially to very young children who can still drown in the shallow accumulated water.

The pool solid safety covers with aluminium supports are raised above the level of the swimming pool and have small holes drilled in to prevent rain water from accumulating on it’s surface. This makes the solid pool covers the best solution for child and pet safety.

Question:

Is there a cover available that will heat my swimming pool but can also be used a safety device to prevent drownings?

Answer:

The best solution we suggest in the above scenario is to make use of a swimming pool solar cover used in conjunction with a pool safety net.

This solution allows for the swimming to obtain all the heating benefits from the solar cover while the safety net ensures that youngsters and pets can’t fall into swimming pool.

Standard PVC and solid swimming pool covers can also be used in the above scenario however they are not able to increase your pool’s water temperature in the same way which a solar blanket does.

Question:

Is there a difference between the blue and black coloured solar pool covers?

Answer:

Both the blue and black coloured pool solar solar blankets are highly effective at increasing a swimming pool’s water temperature.

The black coloured solar blankets are however slightly more effective at increasing a pool’s water temperature and also work better to prevent algae build up.

The blue colour solar covers remains the favourite choice as it these offer the most aesthetically pleasing finish and matches the natural look of a swimming pool.

Question:

Do swimming pool covers prevent water loss through evaporation?

Answer:

Yes, swimming pool solar blankets and pool safety covers does prevent water loss through evaporation by up to 98%. They also help reduce chemical usage and algae build up.

Question:

What is the best heat pump to use on my swimming pool?

Answer:

We recommend the Aqua Pro Professional series of pool heat pumps.

The Aqua Pro Professional heat pumps are manufactured from top quality components and are specifically designed for use in the South African climate. With modern, energy saving inverter technology and remote operation functionally, the Aqua Pro heat pumps come highly recommended for the most discerning pool owners.

Question:

What is the difference between inverter and standard pool heat pump technology?

Answer:

Inverter swimming pool heat pumps have the advantage of being more electrically efficient and have lower running costs compared to standard heat pumps.

The inverter technology allows the heat pump to intelligently adjust its power output according to air volume, ambient air temperature and system heating requirements.

Question:

Should I install a swimming pool heat pump or pool solar panels? Which is better?

Answer:

Swimming pool heat pumps and solar panels each have their own benefits and drawbacks which needs to be considered. The answer to this question will depend on each individual customer’s requirements.

Heat pumps have the advantage of being able to keep your swimming pool’s temperature constant throughout all the seasons but comes with the electrical costs involved of running the heat pump.

Pool solar panels on the other hand don’t require any additional electricity to function but their heating performance varies according to the season and are not ideally suited for use during the very cold winter months.

Question:

I already have a pool solar heating system installed, can I add a heat pump inline to further boost my swimming pool’s water temperature?

Answer:

Yes, pool heat pumps and pool solar panels work very well together and can be installed on the same system.

This type of combined system has some major advantages which includes rapid temperature gains, very low running cost on the pool heat pump and the benefit of being able to use your heated swimming pool at any time of the year.

Question:

Should I use a swimming pool cover alongside my heat pump?

Answer:

Although not essential, we do strongly recommend making use of a swimming pool solar blanket when installing a new heat pump wherever possible.

Pool solar blankets do an excellent job at retaining the retaining the warmth which is generated by the heat pump and can substantially reduce the heat pump’s electrical running costs while increasing overall heating performance at the same time.

Question:

Can I install a swimming pool heat pump in an enclosed room?

Answer:

No, it is not advisable to install a swimming pool heat pump in an enclosed room or space.

Pool heat pumps function by extracting energy from the environment and needs a constant supply of fresh air circulating over the heat exchanger. Your heat pump should be installed in a location with plenty of free flowing fresh air and should be positioned away from any walls or obstructions.

Question:

Is there a difference between a Jacuzzi, Spa and hot tub?

Answer:

Jacuzzi was the family and company who originally invented the concept of spas and hot tubs in the 1940’s.

Hydrotherapy was Initially invented to treat the debilitating rheumatoid arthritis of a family member named Ken Jacuzzi.

In our modern age, the terms spa, hot tub and Jacuzzi are often used interchangeably and generally refers to a tub utilising whirlpool hydrotherapy by means of hot water and high pressure air and water jets.  

Question:

What sizes of Jacuzzis and spas does Exclusive Pool Heating offer?

Answer:

We offer a range of luxury Jacuzzis suited for any size family from 4-seater models all the way through to 12-seater tubs.

Question:

Does Exclusive Pool Heating offer different types of Jacuzzi installations?

Answer:

Yes, we offer a variety of installation options ranging from fee standing wooden surrounds, built-in type installations with brick or tiled finishing as well as in-ground wooden deck type installations. Our Jacuzzis and spas can also be supplied as DIY systems for those who would like to do their own installations.

Question:

Does Exclusive Pool Heating offer customised options for their Jacuzzis and spas?

Answer:

Yes, all of our Jacuzzis can be customised with special features ranging from extra hydro massage jets, LED underwater colour changing lights, additional pumps and hard covers to name a few.

Question:

Is there an alternative method of heating my Jacuzzi  other than a conventional element?

Answer:

Yes, a dedicated Jacuzzi inverter heat pump can be used as an excellent alternative to warm up your Jacuzzi.

Heat pumps are able to warm up a Jacuzzi or spa much faster than a standard heating element and are also much more cost effective to operate.

The SOLAR-LAB Pro - Pool & Spa solar panels can also be used as an alternative or complimentary heating system on your Jacuzzi and these will further help to reduce the electrical running costs from the element.

Question:

Can Exclusive Pool Heating assist me with repairs and maintenance to an existing Jacuzzi?

Answer:

Yes, our experienced technicians are fully equipped and able to assist with repairs, servicing, maintenance and full restorations of any make and model Jacuzzi, spa or hot tub. We also offer a full range of spares and parts ranging from new pumps and blowers through to replacements filter cartridges and Jacuzzi hard covers.