Solar Pool Heater is Nice to Have

DEVIN WHITE • DWHITE22@GANNETT.COM • JUNE 19, 2010
Months before summer, while most people were still dreaming about swimming in their pools, Mike Montgomery, of Bossier City, and his three children were already having fun in the sun. And they owe it all to the sun, too. In December, Montgomery had a solar electric energy system and a solar pool heater system installed at his home. Montgomery said there are a few attractive reasons to convert to solar energy.The state has a 50 percent tax credit where they pay 50 percent of the system and the federal pays 30 percent," he said. "That's what got the ball rolling, and then also the green aspect of it. With energy prices the way they are I just thought it would be a good idea."

Montgomery had a solar pool heater system installed, which allows his children to be able to swim in their pool months before warm weather.

"They can extend the swimming season three to four months longer a year, and it doesn't cost anything to operate," said Jeremie Branton, owner of Freedom Power in Bossier City.

Since 2004, Branton, a licensed solar contractor, has been installing eight to 10 solar powered systems a month that not only provide electricity to local residents but also hot water.

Branton said the solar water heating systems have a quicker return on investment than the solar electric energy systems.

"So we're talking a six- to eight-year return on investment for solar electric, but with solar hot water heating systems, like for heating the water you use in the house, those have about a two- to three-year return on investment," Branton said. "Heating water in your home can account for about 20 percent of your electric bill, and solar can take out about 80 percent of that amount by heating the water using just the heat of the sun."

Montgomery said he already is experiencing the savings from his system.

"At peak summertime, we were $250 to $300, and we're running $100 to $150 cheaper now," he said.

For those afraid their solar system will not always produce enough energy to power their household appliances, they can choose a grid-tied system that works in conjunction with the utility grid.