What you need to know before the installation
Considerations for your
Enersol Solar Pool Heater installation
Whether you want to do it yourself or need professional help, here is what you need to know before installing your new Enersol solar pool heating system. The Enersol Pool Heaters were designed for an easy installation.
1. DETERMINE LOCATION AND POSITION
South facing is best!
Tilt at 45 degrees or less!
We designed our Enersol Pool Heaters to be installed at 45 degrees or less. This allows strapping the panels to the roof/rack correctly and it optimizes its performance.
We don’t recommend to install the Enersol Pool Heaters at 90 degrees or on a wall because the strapping is not designed to support total weight of the system. Performance will also decrease significantly.
2. DETERMINE PANELS REQUIRED
50 to 75% of pool surface area
In most cases, you require a solar area approximately 50 to 75% of the pool surface area. However, you can only install what your roof/rack allows you to or the budget you set for the solar system. If you install only 40%, is still better than having nothing heating your pool. Essentially, adding more panels will provide more heat to your pool and also lengthens the swimming season.
Use our Sizing Calculator to help you determine the number of boxes of Enersol Pool Heaters needed for your installation.
3. MEASURE ROOF/RACK AREA AVAILABLE
Maximize your roof/rack area!
The Enersol Pool Heaters must be positioned vertically from eave to peak with at least 6 inches to 12 inches space around the panels for plumbing.
When the panels are installed, they measure 12.5 inches from clip to clip approximately. This measurement is important to maximize your roof/rack area.
For example: if your roof measures 26 feet wide and 10 feet high (as shown on the image), you can only fit 24 Enersol Pool Heaters. The maximum panels’ length you can use in this case is 9 feet.
LENGTH PANELS PER BANK
Install up to 36 panels per bank.
If more panels are to be installed, split them into equal sections.
Install up to 32 panels per array.
If more panels are to be installed, split them into equal sections.
Install up to 28 panels per array.
If more panels are to be installed, split them into equal sections.
View our video gallery
4. — ONE vs. MULTIPLE BANKS OF PANELS
Pressure matters!
Some systems may need to be split over two or more banks of panels. When splitting a system, you must balance it into equal sections in each bank. Use the table on the left as a reference.
For example: if you are installing 44 Enersol Pool Heaters (8 feet in length), it’s better to install two banks of 22 panels in each bank instead of one bank of 44 panels.
5. — VERIFY POOL PUMP
Flow matters!
Verify that pool pump is sized accordingly and that your current water flow does not exceed what the Enersol Pool Heaters are designed for, depending on its length.
Remember: If the water flows too fast through the panels, there won’t be sufficient time to be heated up by the sun.
For example: One Enersol Pool Heater 1 ft. x 10 ft. performs the best at 1 gallon per minute. If your system has 24 panels, you only need to supply 24 gallons per minute to the panels for optimum performance.
PIPE VELOCITY (8 FEET PER SECOND)
Up to 50 gpm
If your new system requires more than 50 gallons per minute, you will need to use a bigger piping size.
Up to 85 gpm
If your new system requires more than 85 gallons per minute, you will need to use a bigger piping size.
Up to 120 gpm
If your new system requires more than 120 gallons per minute, you will need to use a bigger piping size.
Up to 187 gpm
If your new system requires more than 187 gallons per minute, you will need to use a bigger piping size.
More about Black PVC Pipe & Fittings
6. — PLAN FOR PVC PLUMBING
Velocity matters!
Plan for the plumbing and fittings required. PVC is the recommended material. ABS is not recommended as it is not designed for pressure nor heat.
Ensure not to exceed maximum velocities allowed on pipes when selecting pipes diameters as per table on the left.
For an aesthetically pleasing installation, we recommend Black PVC Pipe & Fittings. Black PVC pipes and fittings will blend nicely with the solar pool heating system and they don’t fade in the sun over time as painted pipes do.
7. — USE PROPER PIPING CONFIGURATION
Proper flow distribution!
Feeding the panels from the bottom has the advantage of using gravity to create back pressure to distribute the water evenly throughout the panels.
It is important to install the inlet and outlet at opposite ends (diagonally opposed corners). This will ensure proper distribution of flow through the collectors.
8. — MOUNTING OPTIONS
Multiple alternatives!
The Enersol Pool Heaters are so versatile, you can install them anywhere the sun shines. Here are some options:
On the roof (home, pool change room)
On a rack
On the ground
9. — PARTS TO COMPLETE THE INSTALLATION
Don’t miss important parts!
In addition to the Enersol Pool Heaters, you will also require the following components for a full installation:
1 Enersol System Installation Kit per system*.
Control options:
Or
1-1/2″ PVC Piping and Fittings to connect from/to the roof/rack
*Additional 2 Adapters and 2 Plugs are required per bank when splitting the system into two or more banks of panels.
