Did you know that approximately 10,000 U.S. homes have solar heating systems? However, it wasn’t economically feasible to install them in any other place besides deserts for decades at a time due to the high intensity of sunlight. But now, with recent technological advancements in photovoltaic cells and inverters, solar heaters are no longer the sole property of sun worshippers. These days’ solar heaters are being installed in homes across America, not just in sunny & hot areas.
Not only is this environmentally friendly, but it also saves you a ton of money on your heating bills each month! With prices of natural gas, oil, and electricity constantly rising, the cost of keeping warm is getting higher and higher. Still, with solar heating, you can foresee this expense in the future.
Here are 7 DIY Solar Pool Heater Projects that will enable you to create your very own personal oasis in your backyard when it’s cold outside. You can even use the heat generated by the photovoltaic cells for cooking, cleaning, and heating the water for your pets.
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#1: How to Build a PVC Pipe Swimming Pool Water Heater
This simple DIY solar pool heater will only cost you 45 dollars, and it can raise the temperature of your pool by up to 15 degrees. The PVC pipe method is similar to the “solar wall” water heaters found in Japan.
What you will need are the following materials: 40 feet of 1-inch diameter PVC pipe, 2 1-inch end caps, 2 10-foot sections of 1-inch PVC threaded pipes, 4 hose washers, 1 hose spigot coupling, tape measure, level & marker, garden hose, or plastic tubing for siphoning water, plastic sheeting, 2 bricks & trowel.
Steps are as follows: First, you will need to mark out where your pool is strong. Run the hose or tubing from one end of the pool to the other and estimate how much water is needed to bring your level up to 3 inches above the ground. Use a marker to mark this section at the end of your tube. After that, measure the distance from where you marked to the other end and make a second line.
In between these two lines, insert one of the threaded pipes through both lines to create a cross-sectional view of your pool. With this image as a reference, go ahead and place 1-inch end caps on 1-inch pipes. Measure where the 1-inch pipes are placed over the cross-section of your pool and make a mark using your marker at each spot.
Drill holes in all four of your marked 1-inch end caps, place one 1-inch threaded pipe through each hole, then slip hose washers & spigot coupling on the end of each 1-inch threaded pipe that’s sticking out. To finish off, stick one 10-foot section of 1-inch PVC pipes inside each end cap.
The last thing you need is your plastic sheeting & bricks; place bricks in a circle around where you will be building your solar heater and create an “X” with your plastic sheeting over the bricks. Place 1 pin through each of your 4 corners, and you’re all finished!
#2: How-To Build a Solar Pool Heater with $25 in Parts
This is a simple and easy DIY solar pool heater to build, and it only costs about $25, and it can raise the temperature of your pool by up to 15 degrees.
You will need 1-inch PVC pipe, 4X4 lumber 12 inches long, 2 – 10 foot sections of 4X4 lumber that are 3 feet long, corner connectors, tape measure, waterproof silicone sealant, drill & drill bits.
Steps are as follows: First, measure and mark a rectangle 10 feet long by 3.5 feet wide on the ground where you want to put your solar heater; use a string line if needed for an exact straight line. After marking out the rectangle, pour concrete into each of your 4 corners, let dry overnight. Next, uptake your 10-foot section of 3 feet long 4X4 lumber and cut it down to 8-foot lengths.
Now take your 1-inch PVC pipe that is 6 inches long and cut it into 2 pieces that are 5 inches long. Use the corner connectors to connect each end of the 8-foot piece of 4X4 lumber onto one end of your rectangle; use 2 corner connectors per post.
After that, take your 10-foot piece of 4X4 lumber and cut it into two 5 feet pieces, then take the drill & drill bit to create a hole that’s 1-inch in diameter on all four corners of both posts. Next up, attach your 1-inch PVC pipe sections onto each hole you created on all four corners of your pool heater; use the waterproof silicone sealant as glue.
After that, place some water into your new solar pool heater and let it sit for a few hours without sunlight on it. Finally, run a hose from the bottom of the solar pool heater to either side of your rectangle where you poured concrete in step one; this will be used for forced-air heating.
#3: How-To Build a PVC-Frame Solar Water Heater DIY Guide
This easy solar pool heater can be built in about one weekend, and it uses a 3/4 inch PVC pipe, which is easily available at any hardware store. This type of easy-to-build solar pool heater is perfect for someone who lives in a moderate climate where it doesn’t get too hot and cold.
What you will need: 3/4 inch PVC pipes, 2 end caps that are 3/4-inch, 4 T-connectors, 16 90 degree elbow joints, 32 T-fittings, about 30 feet of 3/4-inch PVC pipe.
Steps are as follows: First, you will need to make a 5-foot long 2-by-6 rectangle, use a string line for an exact straight vertical and horizontal line, after assembling your entire pool heater using the fittings and elbow joints. You will then place water into the heater’s open end, let it heat up, and then attach a fan at the bottom of your new pool heater.
For this solar pool heater, you will need to put black spray paint onto all of your fittings and elbow joints, so they absorb as many of the sun’s rays as possible.
#4: How-To Build a Solar Pool Heater for $30
This is a simple and easy solar pool heater to build that can be built in about 2 hours. This type of easy-to-build solar pool heater uses 1/2 inch PVC pipe. This type of cheap solar pool heater can help raise the temperature of your pool by about 10 to 15 degrees.
You will need a 1/2 inch PVC pipe, black spray paint, tape measure, string line.
Steps are as follows: First, use the string line to create a 4 by an 8-foot rectangle on your lawn or another surface where you want to build your solar pool heater. After that, take the 1/2 inch PVC pipe and cut it into 2-inch pieces with your hacksaw; make about 7 vertical cuts on one side of the 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Next up, take some black spray paint and cover all your newly made cuts with the paint.
After that, attach each of your 1/2 inch pieces onto each end of a 45-degree fitting and attach another 1/2 inch piece on the other side of the 45-degree angle; use a T-connector instead of a 45-degree if needed. After that, take some blacker spray paint and cover each new joint you create with the paint.
#5: How-To Build an Inexpensive Solar Pool Heater
This is another simple and easy solar pool heater to build; this cheap solar pool heater can be built in about one hour. This type of cheap solar pool heater uses 1/2 inch black ABS pipe. This type of cheap solar pool heater can help raise the temperature of your pool by about 5 to 10 degrees.
You will need a PVC pipe cutter, 1/2 inch black ABS pipe, black spray paint, tape measure, string line.
Steps are as follows: First, use the string line to create a 4 by an 8-foot rectangle on your lawn or another surface where you want to build your solar pool heater. After that, take your 1/2 inch black ABS pipe and cut it into 2-inch pieces with your hacksaw; make about 7 vertical cuts on one side of the 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Next up, take some black spray paint and cover all your newly made cuts with the paint.
After that, attach each of your 1/2 inch pieces onto each end of a 45-degree fitting and attach another 1/2 inch piece on the other side of the 45-degree angle; use a T-connector instead of a 45-degree if needed. After that, take some blacker spray paint and cover each new joint you create with the paint.
#6: How-To Build an Inexpensive Solar Pool Heater
This is another simple and easy solar pool heater to build; this cheap solar pool heater can be built in about one hour. This type of cheap solar pool heater uses 1/2 inch black ABS pipe. This type of cheap solar pool heater can help raise the temperature of your pool by about 5 to 10 degrees.
You will need a PVC pipe cutter, 1/2 inch black ABS pipe, black spray paint, tape measure, string line.
Steps are as follows: First, use the string line to create a 4 by an 8-foot rectangle on your lawn or another surface where you want to build your solar pool heater. After that, take your 1/2 inch black ABS pipe and cut it into 2-inch pieces with your hacksaw; make about 7 vertical cuts on one side of the 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Next up, take some black spray paint and cover all your newly made cuts with the paint.
After that, attach each of your 1/2 inch pieces onto each end of a 45-degree fitting and attach another 1/2 inch piece on the other side of the 45-degree angle; use a T-connector instead of a 45-degree if needed. After that, take some more black spray paint and cover each new joint you create with the paint.
#7: How-To Build an Inexpensive Solar Pool Heater
This is another simple and cheap solar pool heater to build; this type of cheap solar pool heater can be built in about one hour. This type of cheap solar pool heater uses 1/2 inch black ABS pipe. This type of cheap solar pool heater can help raise the temperature of your pool by about 5 to 10 degrees.
You will need a PVC pipe cutter, 1/2 inch black ABS pipe, black spray paint, tape measure, string line.
Steps are as follows: First, use the string line to create a 4 by an 8-foot rectangle on your lawn or another surface where you want to build your solar pool heater. After that, take your 1/2 inch black ABS pipe and cut it into 2-inch pieces with your hacksaw; make about 7 vertical cuts on one side of the 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Next up, take some black spray paint and cover all your newly made cuts with the paint.
After that, attach each of your 1/2 inch pieces onto each end of a 45-degree fitting and attach another 1/2 inch piece on the other side of the 45-degree angle; use a T-connector instead of a 45-degree if needed. After that, take some more black spray paint and cover each new joint you create with the paint.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in saving money on your heating bill, one of the easiest ways to reduce energy costs is installing a solar pool heater. These DIY projects are great for both experienced and novice builders alike! You can find all their details below or follow this guide to know more about 7 different Solar Pool Heater Projects You Can Build.
