Solar pool heating in Southwest Florida
A solar pool heater adds roughly ten to fifteen degrees to your pool and extends your swimming season through the months it would otherwise sit unused. In this climate that’s most of the year.
What separates solar from gas and electric is what happens after installation. Those heaters charge you every month you run them, and in Southwest Florida that’s a long season. Solar runs on sunlight — there’s an install cost, and then there isn’t a cost.
Stilwell has been installing solar pool heaters here since 1981. We size the system to your pool, mount it for the wind loads at your address, and tell you honestly what it will do.
Get started with a Stilwell Expert
Why heat your pool with solar?
More Swimming
What good is a pool if it is too cold to use? Solar keeps your pool swim-ready all season long.
Save Money
We can’t predict the future price of your electricity, but we can guarantee you’ll never open a bill from the Sun.
Eco Friendly
Fossil-fuel heaters pollute the planet and deplete its natural resources. Solar is an emission-free and renewable source of energy.
Durability
Gas pool heaters need to be replaced every 5-7 years, heat pumps 7-10 years, and a solar heater has a 15-year expected service life.
How does Solar Pool Heating work?
Solar pool heating is a simple process that collects free heat from the sun and transfers it to your pool. This technology uses black polypropylene collectors to absorb the sun’s heat and your existing pool equipment to circulate the warm water.
A manual valve or automatic solar control allows you to regulate the temperature. Stilwell’s solar pool heaters are fully customized specifically for your home and pool. We personally visit each home to ensure we have every detail to accurately design your solar pool heater using several factors:
Solar Pool Heater Quality & Performance
We demand the best products for superior results and performance. Stilwell Solar is the exclusive Aquatherm Solar Industries Master Dealer in Southwest Florida. Manufactured for over 40 years, Aquatherm is the largest manufacturer of swimming pool solar components in North America.
They are committed to innovative design, uncompromising quality assurance, and a superior manufacturing process.
Exceeding the safety, durability, and toxicity standards of NSF-50, Solar Industries patented materials and high-performing panel design means our quality solar pool heating systems outperform and will outlast the competition.
With tens of thousands of Solar Industries installations worldwide since 1976, you cannot find better-built, better-backed solar components.
Maintenance
A solar pool heater will operate for 15+ years, and truthfully, this investment is more than a one-time installation experience. We can help you maintain your investment and ensure optimal solar performance from your system.
Stilwell services all of Southwest Florida, including Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and surrounding areas.
Solar Pool Heater FAQ
How much warmer will my pool be?
Typically ten to fifteen degrees above an unheated pool, depending on system size, sun exposure and whether you use a cover. That’s usually the difference between unusable and comfortable from November through March.
How much does a solar pool heater cost?
It depends on pool size, roof type and access. There’s no monthly cost after installation, which is what separates it from gas and electric. We’ll give you a firm number after looking at your pool and roof.
Does it work in winter?
Most of the time, yes. Southwest Florida winters are sunny, and the system heats whenever the sun is out. During extended cold or overcast stretches it won’t keep up, which is why some homeowners pair it with an electric heater.
Will it heat my pool at night?
No. It heats during the day and the pool holds that warmth overnight. A pool cover makes a substantial difference in how much heat you keep.
How long do solar pool heaters last?
Properly installed collectors last decades. We’re still servicing systems we installed in the eighties.
Will it damage my roof?
Not when installed correctly. Attachment method and flashing are matched to your roof type, and tile requires a different approach than shingle.
Can I add solar to an existing pool heater?
Usually. Solar can run as the primary heat source with your gas or electric unit as backup, which cuts its runtime significantly.
