What Pool & Hot Tub 2009

WPHT 2009:WPHT 2007 3/6/09 18:03 Page 39
and so as the fluid within gets warmer, it loses up
to 90% of the energy back into the air.
The hotter the sun shine, the worse the problem.
The second type uses evacuated tube collectors,
where the energy absorber is reduced to a strip of
copper treated with a selective black coating. This
absorber strip is bonded to a copper pipe through
which the fluid is passed. The whole assembly is
sealed into a high transmittance evacuated glass
tube, creating a vacuum which eliminates heat
loss from the fluid when it is heated up.
With the climate warming up you can expect THIS: The Apricus solar vacuum tube collector from Powertech Solar Ltd is used for heating indoor or
some solar gain for up to eight months of the year
outdoor pools via a heat exchanger. It can also be incorporated into the home’s domestic hot water system
to make it more cost effective.
and although the payback may seem relatively
slow the energy saving is immediately apparent.
BELOW LEFT: Riomay solar heating panels are amongst the most versatile as they can be placed at an angle
on a roof, flat or vertical on a flank wall
Another big advantage is that your pool system
can be linked to your domestic hot water supply
so that your hot water can also be solar heated. Let there be light CONTACTS
If you already have a twin coil hot water Another are where you can save money and do
■ Electair Exports
cylinder this is a very easy job as long as the pool your bit for the environment is with your pool Tel: 01243 842888
and solar panels are not too far from the house. If lighting. Conventional pool lighting uses 300
www.electairsolar.co.uk
you have a single coil cylinder you can have it watt/12 volts which will burn up a fair amount of
■ Certikin
Tel: 01993 778855
changed but it will need a little more airing energy on a long summer’s evening when you are
www.certikin.co.uk
cupboard space that your existing one. enjoying your pool to the full. LED lighting uses ■ Powertech Solar
Sadly, a growing army of cowboy companies much less energy and some systems can be
Tel: 01202 890234
www.powertech-
have generated some bad publicity for solar retrofitted using the existing standard fittings, solar.com
heating so whatever happens, do you homework reducing your energy output from 300 watts to
■ Golden Coast
on the supplier and they should be able to provide just 60 watts per fitting.
Tel: 01271 378100
www.goldenc.com
details of a reputable installer in your area. Low energy light bulbs, which until recently
Alternatively visit www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk gave only a ghastly grey lighting effect, are being
■ Riomay
Tel: 01323 648641
to find your nearest reliable company. You will improved hugely by manufacturers as technology
www.riomay.com
also find details of grants that are payable on moves on. If you have lighting around your pool
most domestic renewable energy systems at the use low energy lights bulbs and turn them off
Low Carbon Buildings website too. when you are not using the pool area.
Solar powered lights are also moving on with
technology and there are now dozens to choose
from for lighting the pathway to the pool or
standard versions that can be erected around the
pool area.
The Solar Centre has a large range of lights and
styles to suit almost any pool surround and many
systems now offer different coloured lighting as
well as the standard white solar light.
If it’s your energy being stretched to the limits in
and around your pool you will be doing your bit
to improve the environment, your own health and
your bank balance.
Your green neighbours will, of course, still be
CONTACTS
keeping their eyes on you but at least they will not
be able to have a go at you for being careless to
■ Aqua Pharos Lighting
Tel: 01355 279111
the environment. Infact it’s now probably just a
■ Certikin
case of them being green with envy so why not Tel: 01993 778855
invite them round for the occasional swim and let
www.certikin.co.uk
them enjoy the benefits of your cleaner, greener
■ Golden Coast
Tel: 01271 378100
and more efficient pool.
www.goldenc.com
■ Light Projects Group
Tel: 020 7231 8282
With the climate warming up
www.lightprojects.co.uk
■ Poolglo
Tel: 01202 880123
www.poolglo.com
“
you can expect some solar gain for
■ The Solar Centre
up to eight months of the year
Tel: 01727 866326
www.the
solarcentre.co.uk
”
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