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Step 1
Determine if your house or building can accommodate a solar system. Most roofs will handle the solar panel without a problem, but find a professional that will come to your home to evaluate your situation and give you a free estimate on installation.
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Step 2
Analyze your location for sufficient sun supply. A sunny area with a southerly exposure will be a good site for a swimming pool solar heating system.
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Step 3
Be prepared to tell the salesperson the pool's length and width, your water temperature preference, if the pool is outdoors or indoors and if the heating system is for a home, commercial or municipal pool.
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Step 4
Establish the system's efficiency. A general rule is the solar collector should equal 50 to 100 percent of the surface area of your pool, but increase the collector footage if your pool is located in a cool or cloudy area.
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Step 5
Buy a swimming pool solar heating system based on the system's size, quality, installation and cost. Look at a collector's thermal performance rating, the number of collector panels or piping necessary to heat your pool and the total cost of installation (see Resources).
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Step 6
Check out your local codes, covenants and regulations before you make your purchase. You may need a building permit.
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Step 7
Look for a reputable contractor to install and maintain your system. Consider the contractor's solar heating installation experience, ask for past customer references, check with the state to confirm that the person has a valid state contractor's license and find out if there are any complaints filed against him.
