What areas do you cover?

Vasco Solar installs systems in Southern California – mainly in the Orange County and Los Angeles County regions. We service and install solar systems in communities including Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Cerritos, Brea, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Orange, Ladera Ranch, Tustin, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Irvine, El Toro, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Corona Del Mar, Coto de Caza , Seal Beach, Fullerton, Placentia, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Monarch Bay, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Capistrano Beach, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Rancho. Santa Margarita, Newport Coast and their surrounding areas.

What are some questions I should ask when looking at different types of solar pool heating systems?

1. Have both the manufacturer and contractor been in business longer than the warranty offered on the product?
2. Is the company a licensed solar contractor, and can they provide you certificates of liability and workman’s compensation insurance?
3. Does the installation company have extensive experience in installing all types of solar heating systems?
4. Is the warranty backed by the original manufacturer – not by a U.S. agent or distributor?
5. Has the mounting system been proven to withstand hurricane force winds?
6. Is the solar collector fully certified and tested by accepted independent agencies?
7. Have the materials and design used in the collectors been proven 99% trouble free in over 20 years of use?

The fact is that solar pool heating is the most economical, most efficient, most reliable, most environmentally friendly and least expensive way to heat your pool!

Will my Homeowners Association (HOA) allow me to install a solar system?

Fortunately, a variety of Solar Rights Acts and Laws in California make it illegal for HOAs to prohibit the installation of solar systems.

Can I use one solar system to heat both my pool and my domestic water supply?

No. Swimming pool heaters used in California do not have glazing and are designed to heat a large volume of water (thousands of gallons) to relatively low temperatures (around 80°F), while hot water systems raise less than a hundred gallons to about 130°F. The energy used to heat 100 gallons of water to 130°F daily is a “drop in the bucket” compared to that needed to heat a pool.

Can these collectors also be used to heat a spa?

Yes. Set the spa circulation cycle at the end of the day and set the thermostat to 104 degrees.

Will I need a pool cover?

A pool cover is not necessary to keep the pool at a comfortable temperature during warm swim season. However, a pool cover does help retain heat at night and does prevent heat evaporation loss.

How efficiently will a solar system heat my pool?

If you follow our recommended solar heater sizes and installation instructions your pool should be six to twenty degrees warmer than it was before you heated it, under the same weather conditions. The larger the solar collector area is, in relation to the surface area of the pool, the warmer the pool water will be. If in the future you decide you want an even warmer pool or you would like a longer pool season, you can add more solar collectors at any time. Vasco Solar can custom design a system for your specific needs.

Can my home accommodate a system?

Most homes can accommodate a solar pool heating system. Although solar collectors are traditionally installed on a roof, they can be installed wherever they can be in the sun for a good portion of the day. The type of roof or roofing material is not important. The appropriate square footage of solar collectors required for a given swimming pool is directly related to the square footage of the pool itself. The proper ratio of pool area to solar collector area will vary according to such factors as location, the orientation of the solar collectors, the amount of shading on the pool or solar collectors, and the desired swimming season. In general, however, the square footage of solar collectors required is usually 50% to 100% of the pool surface area. Vasco Solar can provide a free estimate for you.

Do the solar collectors have to face south?

Not necessarily. The solar collectors should be installed where they can be in the sun a good portion of the day.

In simple terms, how does a solar pool heater work?

Using the pump that circulates pool water through the filter, the water is automatically diverted so that it flows through the many small passages of the solar collector. While passing through the collector, it is warmed by the sun. This warm water then flows directly back into the pool. When the pool has reached your desired comfort level, the water then bypasses the solar collector and returns directly to the pool.

Is there a Solar Pool Heating Operations Manual?

Click here to view Solar System Operation Procedures.

How much will my solar pool heater cost to operate?

Since the sun’s energy is free, there are no operating costs.

What about operation and maintenance?

The simplicity of solar pool heating systems means that operation and maintenance requirements are minimal. In fact, in most cases no additional maintenance beyond normal filter cleaning. We do recommend cleaning and service checks after five years.

How do solar pool heating systems work?

For most residential pools, the solar system operates directly with the existing pool pump and filter. Today’s most efficient systems employ the use of an automatically controlled diverting valve. The pool’s filtration system is set to run during the period of most intense sunshine. During this period, when the solar control sensors detect that adequate heat is present in the solar collectors, it causes a motorized diverting valve to turn, forcing the flow of pool water through the solar collectors, where water is heated. The heated water then returns to the pool. When heat is no longer present, the motorized diverter valve turns, and bypasses the solar collector. Thus, most systems have very few moving parts, which minimize operation and maintenance requirements.

Why should I heat my pool with Solar?

The US Department of Energy has identified swimming pools as a huge consumer of energy across the country, and has recognized pool heating as one of the most cost-effective means of reducing energy consumption. Solar pool heating systems are the best investment a pool owner can make. They are being used in virtually every area of the United States and are designed for indoor pools, larger municipal pools and commercial pools.

A swimming pool is usually an expensive investment, which can range from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the type of pool. Most people buy a pool for recreational or exercise purposes, and usually plan to use the pool on a regular, ongoing basis, making it the center of their activities at home. In many cases, new or existing pools have no pool heater. Some pool owners are satisfied to some extent with a very limited swimming season and naturally occurring pool temperature. Most, however, wish to heat the water and get more use out of their investment by using their pool during a longer and more comfortable swimming season. In some cases, a pool purchaser may elect to have a natural gas or electric heater installed for pool heating purposes. However, the annual cost of operating these types of heaters can range from $2,000 to $4,000 or more, depending on such factors as the method of heating and the size of the pool. Thus, heating the pool becomes an ongoing financial drain. Most solar pool heating systems cost between $4,500 – $7,000; however, price varies on the size of the pool and other site-specific installation conditions. If solar systems are installed in order to reduce or eliminate fuel or electricity consumption, they generally pay for themselves in energy savings in two to four years. For those pool owners that desire to heat their pool, solar has been proven to be an effective method. If a pool is not already being heated, a solar system improves the comfort level and extends the swimming season. Whether or not your pool is currently heated, a solar pool heating system is a wise investment. You only pay for the equipment because the energy source, the sun, is free.

What about the environment?

Gas heaters pollute the air directly with carbon dioxide and other omissions. In contrast, solar is an abundant, clean energy source that will never contribute to pollution or the depletion of natural resources. Solar energy requires no fossil fuels.

Why heat my pool?

The pool is for entertainment, exercise and perhaps for health reasons. You spent a lot of time making the decision to invest in a quality pool, furniture, fencing and accompanying items that go along with a pool. Therefore, you should expect to get the most use out of your pool. But if your pool is frequently too cold to swim in comfortably, you are not realizing the full benefit of your significant investment. Whether for relaxation or recreation, a comfortable pool is a great gathering place for family and friends. Solar pool heating can effectively double the length of you pool season.

Not only will a Vasco Solar Pool Heating System make your pool warmer and more comfortable, it will add months to your swimming season. That means you can spend more time in your pool. More relaxation, more exercise and more fun! You will receive greater value from the investment you have in your pool!