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Why Your Solar Pool Heating Isn’t Working And How to Fix It?

How to Fix Common Issues with Solar Pool HeatingSolar pool heating is a good way to prolong the swimming season without incurring high energy costs. Using natural solar energy, such systems provide an environmentally sound and inexpensive utility for pool heating. However, like any other mechanical system, solar pool heating might develop problems that require maintenance and/or repairs over time.

If left unattended, even minor problems can reduce heating efficiency, increase energy consumption, or lead to expensive repairs. By recognising common pool solar heating repair, you can adopt certain preventive measures to ensure your system runs efficiently for years.

1. Leaks in the Solar Collector or Plumbing

Solar heating for pools and the piping to deliver such heated water are among the most frequent problems associated with solar pool heating systems. Since these systems are responsible for circulating pool water through different types of pipes and panels, even the smallest leaks can severely hamper efficiency.

The Causes Of Leaks: 

  • Damage from Weather: Extreme heat, heavy rains, or hailstorms may weaken and crack the materials, causing them to disintegrate.
  • Animal Activity: Birds, rodents, or other animals may chew tubing or cause physical damage. 
  • Poor installation: Late leaks, slow or fast, can be caused by poorly sealed connections or pipe-fitting bends that stress the joint. 

A leaking solar collector or plumbing can give rise to the following: 

  • Water pooling on level ground, near the solar panels or pump area
  • Sudden loss of water pressure and Inefficient heating

The Fix:

If you have reason to suspect a leak, a qualified pool solar heating specialist can inspect and replace the damaged sections of the system. Simple preventative maintenance—checking for cracks and loose connections—can help prevent leaks from forming in the first place.

2. The System Is Clogged

Foreign objects, dirt, and mineral deposits can create clogs in the pipes and solar collectors, ultimately hindering water flow and reducing heating capacity. A clog in a poorly maintained system can also destroy the pool pump, reducing its life span.

Common Causes of Blockages:

  • Leaves, dirt, and minute debris into the system
  • Growth of algae in the inside of pipes
  • Calcium or mineral buildup in plumbing
  • Trapped air pockets in the system

How To Fix It?

When cleaning out filters and backwashing the system, trapped air pockets should also be checked to determine if they are part of the circulation problem. A qualified solar heating pool technician can flush the system if barriers persist. 

3. Pump Problems and Low Water Flow

The pool heating pump or the main circulation pump plays an important role in circulating the water through the heating system. If the pump malfunctions, the water will not reach the solar collectors properly, adversely affecting heating ability.

Signs of Pump Problems:

  • Low pressure in water or weak flow; 
  • Bizarre noise from the pump; 
  • The pump turns off or doesn’t start. 

Fixes of the Problem: 

Check for blockages, ensure the pump is sized correctly for your pool, and check for worn seals and electrical faults. If the problem continues, a pool solar heating repair contractor may need to replace or repair the pump.

5. Cracked or Damaged Solar Panels

Solar panels exposed to constant sunlight, variable temperature, and rough weather are more vulnerable to damage.

Causes of Possible Damage to Solar Panels:

  • Hailstorms or falling branches; 
  • UV radiation leads to the degradation of material; 

How to Fix:

Examine the solar panels regularly for cracks, curvature, or discolouration. Small cracks can sometimes be repaired, whereas greater damage almost always means replacing the panel.

6. Air in the System

Air blockages within the solar heating system disrupt water circulation, leading to inefficient heating. This is usually caused by a leak in the system, improper priming, or a malfunctioning check valve.

Signs of the Presence of Air in the System:

  • Bubbling or gurgling sounds in the pipes
  • Reduced amount of water flow to the solar collectors
  • Uneven heating of the pool

Diagnosis and Fix:

Bleeding air out of the system through a valve or an air relief valve will help. Otherwise, if the symptoms persist, a leak might be checked, or a professional technician might be considered for additional help.

7. Thermostat or Sensor Malfunction

The thermostat and temperature sensors are pivotal to regulating pool heating. Failure of either of these components may result in inconsistent heating, or the pool might even stop heating altogether.

Signs of a Faulty Thermostat or Sensor:

  • The pool is not reaching the set temperature
  • The system comes on or shuts off at the wrong time
  • The control panel seems unresponsive

How to Fix It:

Check thermostat settings and ensure that sensors are clean and properly located. If problems persist, the thermostats must be replaced, or sensor recalibration may be necessary. 

Trusted Solar Pool Heating Repair Services

While minor maintenance can be done by oneself, several pool solar heating repair issues demand expertise. If leaks, blockages, or continuous heating inefficiencies surface, it is much better to call a professional to investigate and repair them.

Thermopools is here to assist in maintaining or repairing your solar pool heating system with efficiency restoration and prolonging system lifespan. Call us today at (02) 88 50 40 30 for expert advice or a free quote.

Pool Heating Specialist

TESTIMONIALS

What clients say

Sunny from Thermo Pools provided us with a competitive quote for a solar pool heater for our new home and did an excellent job with the installation. After the system was installed, we had a minor concern, and Sunny responded promptly, personally checking everything to ensure it was in order. It has now been over a month, and we are happy with its performance so far. While it's still early to assess the long-term quality and reliability of the system, I can confidently recommend Sunny to anyone considering a solar pool heater.
Eric Chen
Eric Chen
1740297266
gerard page
gerard page
1738660483
I recently had Thermo Pools Sydney install a new pump and a up/down solar controller, and I’m beyond impressed! The service was fantastic, and I must give special credit to Sunny, who worked so hard that I got tired just watching him. His dedication, attention to detail, and tireless effort made the whole experience smooth and stress-free.
Sunny contacted me enroute to site and arrived at the time discussed. The job was investigated and the repair work required was completed to my satisfaction in a quick and efficient manner. I recommend Thermo Pools for work on solar pool heating.
Kevin Coombes
Kevin Coombes
1735424821
Despite challenging weather conditions during winter and autumn, Sunny demonstrated exceptional planning and adaptability, scheduling work around winds and rains to ensure the project was completed just in time for summer. Now, with the warmer weather, our family has been able to enjoy the pool almost every single day.Thank you for the great work and the end result has brought smiles all around.
Jack C. Hong
Jack C. Hong
1735019139
Incredible professional services. I strongly recommend Thermo Pools! Thank you
So happy with ThermoPools and Sunny’s service. Sunny installed solar tubing for our pool at a super affordable price plus 15 year warranty. Highly recommend
Deb McIntyre
Deb McIntyre
1731896703
Sunny from Thermopools did a very good job repairing my solar heating, as he has done in the past - highly recommended.
Friendly and prompt service with checkup and other repairs carried out at the same time. Sunny was very helpful and knows his stuff.
Kerry Curtis
Kerry Curtis
1729575910
Highly recommend Sunny, he was efficient with coming to do an obligation free quote on pool heating & install we are extremely happy!
Veronica
Veronica
1729400825
There was something about Sunny that made me want to both like him and trust him from the moment he turned up just one day after my making the call. The pool is big and deep and difficult to heat and I had tired of pumping water up to the roof with no results. Sunny looked down on it and declared the webbing was insufficient and it had not been plumbed properly. He then looked at the pump and diagnosed the controller as being out of order as well. He gave me a figure and looked at the doubt on my face. “If it doesn’t heat your pool, I’ll give you your money back” He was that confident. I did a bit of research, one person telling me that the inlet/oulet of the pool were configured so that whatever I put on the roof, it wouldn’t heat the pool. When I raised this with Sunny, he repeated his guarantee, with further detail that the pool would reach 26C after 5 consecutive days of sunny weather after 1st October. On the strength of that I asked him to go ahead and he was there just 2 days later, and on a weekend, busily removing the old system and replacing it with his bespoke system. He returned with a new controller and his guarantee neatly typed out on company letter head. The controller indicated a steady rise in the temperature of the pool and in the short time between installation and the end of September the pool temperature had already risen from 19 to 22. With the arrival of October and just two warm days on the long weekend the water in the pool reached the promised 26. Dealing with contractors is always a bit of a gamble, but this one paid off! I am as confident Sunny would have refunded the money had the pool not reach the prescribed temperature as he was confident that it would. “You can tear the letter up now” he quipped when I gladly informed him his prediction had come to fruition. I would, but I might hang on to it as a cute reminder there’s good people out there!
Stephen Hall
Stephen Hall
1728604948
Sunny did an excellent job. Very quick to come around, great communication and did an excellent job on the day. He did a great job on the trench with the pipe leaving the grass in the condition that it was originally in. Highly recommend!
Daiana Gresham
Daiana Gresham
1728381341
Sunny from Thermo Pools was a pleasure to deal with. Very professional, prompt service and installed with attention to detail. Happy to recommend.
Neil Wild
Neil Wild
1725331215
Sunny was recommended to me by a friend - and I am very glad she did. Sunny has just installed a new, very efficient solar pool heating system in time for the swimming season.There were some weather delays but Sunny kept me informed at every step of the way. Excellent service from Thermo Pools.
Valerie Howland
Valerie Howland
1724651059
I would like to thank Sunny for the a great installation experience. He explained what he was doing and asked for my preference - i.e. positioning of pipes, salt chlorinator cell, etc.He even fixed an issue he found under the roof tiles which could have become a major issue at a later point.His professionalism is excellent and I would recommend him to anyone.Again thanks for looking after our job.
Nes Bables
Nes Bables
1720850466
Based on website reviews, we contacted Sunny for advice on how to repair our filter box and equipment. Sunny was very knowledgeable and was able to solve our problem with the minimum of fuss and at a reasonable price. He communicated well and completed the job promptly. All rubbish was removed and the work site was left very clean. We highly recommend Sunny and will definitely use him again.
Jennifer Watts
Jennifer Watts
1720611378
Thank you Sunny for your prompt attention to repair the pool solar ties and leaking valve.
Doreen Monti
Doreen Monti
1720548726
Sunny did a fabulous job fixing our solar heating that someone else had installed, and replacing a salt cell and the chlorinator. He is great problem solver and very competent and helpful. I highly recommend Sunny from Thermo pools.
Lisa Blythe
Lisa Blythe
1712388885
A great service, the best we have ever had, strongly recommend them.
Carolyn Quadrio
Carolyn Quadrio
1712254038
Sunny is a hero. He's a swimming pool Chad.
Max New
Max New
1710324281
Thanks Sunny always a pleasure dealing with you .you have come to the rescue and fixing what we needed .
Kristina Bursic
Kristina Bursic
1709510914
rod rudders
rod rudders
1709334836
We have found Thermo Pools to be extremely professional, reliable and excellent value for money.They went above and beyond in their efforts to help my elderly father with his pool issues.We could not be happier with the service we received and would highly recommend them.Dawn Murdock
Sunny from Thermopools did an amazing job installing our pool heating in one day and the quality is outstanding. Not surprising, as he prides himself on doing every job right. Highly recommended.
Rob Lang
Rob Lang
1706091146
Highly recommend Thermo pools solar. Sunny was great, understands his products and was easy to work with. His workmanship was very professional.
Rocco Ursino
Rocco Ursino
1705033863
Thanks Thermo pools for reliable fast and honest service.Very hard to find honest tradies these days thanks Sunny
Eva Wilusz
Eva Wilusz
1702606389
We were so happy with the service at Thermo Pools. Sunny was the best, he was a great communicator, always on time and very knowledgeable about his work.. I highly recommend this company and it’s also value for money. Not super expensive like other companies (Sunbather) never again. Thanks Sunny.. Maggie
Maggie Kondos
Maggie Kondos
1702262496
Outstanding servicePromptProfessionalSunny gets the job doneWould highly recommend
Stephen Neall
Stephen Neall
1701820907
A pleasure to do business with. Excellent honest service. Sunny supplied a quality product and provided a very professional installation for a reasonable price.
David Stone
David Stone
1701813298
From my first phone call to Sunny at Thermo pools I knew it was going to be a no hassle process.I was given all the options and prices. Went for solar.Great install. Sunny great at communicating and making sure you are 100% satisfied with the job. I was 105% satisfied! Great work.
Tim Gavan
Tim Gavan
1701146162
Excellent job, so professional. A great deal of care and expertise, and the pool area was left clean and tidy. Super happy and I highly recommend rhe Thermo Pools team
Joanne
Joanne
1701120166
rachel whitelum
rachel whitelum
1700539872
We had pool solar heating installed by Thermo Pools. They were good value, quick, reliable and efficient. The preparation and clean up was beyond my expectation. Sunny is incredibly knowledgeable and also took time to advise me on other improvements to my pool. Highly recommended!
Glenn Desertine
Glenn Desertine
1700287377
As always, Sunny was accessible to troubleshoot the issue over the phone, prompt as to when he can come over to fix the issue. Our go to for anything solar heating related. Thanks again Sunny, Thermo Pools!
Ryan
Ryan
1700255769
We have had a long standing relationship with Sunny and Thermo Pools and we can highly recommend Sunny and his workmanship.
Lily B
Lily B
1700116643
Thermo Pools did a really good job of rejuvenating our 50 year old pool. The work involved reconstruction of the skimmer box, repairs to the pool surface and repaint.
Terry Byfield
Terry Byfield
1699934222
What a great team, Sunny and Kirsty. Very professional and extremely knowledgeable. The installation was completed with minimal fuss in a narrow restricted access location. He then returned a couple of weeks later to install a deflector at which time I was able to thank Sunny for the way the way our new heat pump pool heater achieved to desired high temperatures required for my hydrotherapy.Thanks again guys, I can’t recommend you more highly and have referred you to friends who have seen the work and the excellent results.John
John Evic
John Evic
1699338094
Easy to deal with, very knowledgeable and professional
Sunny went above and beyond, to service our solar pool heating system.
Stephen Austin
Stephen Austin
1698185708
My house needs the replacement of leaking old pool solar panels and Ascon pool highly recommended to contact Sunny from Thermo Pools. Sunny came and checked and quoted and installed new solar panels within a few weeks. Very transparent, accurate and quick!!! Additionally, Sunny is very patient and explained every details about how to use the solar pool heating system. So happy with the new solar panels and I will very highly recommend Sunny for any solar pool heating problems and issues.
Aung Kyaw Win
Aung Kyaw Win
1697320580
We had a fantastic experience with Sunny at Thermo Pools. During a very busy period (it became hot suddenly and our solar was busted), he came out to give us a quote within a day, provided a solution and installed it within a couple of weeks. He is so friendly and professional, and our pool temp improved very quickly. He and Kirsty provided great communication throughout the process. We won't hesitate to use Thermo Pools in the future.
The service has been amazing at Thermal Pools. I can’t recommend them enough. The whole process was attended to with 5 star service. Well done guys. So glad I chose you for our solar pool heating. Thank you 😊
Loretta Veage
Loretta Veage
1696151044
Competitive quote, prompt service, and attention to detail. Very neat job, no mess left behind. Sunny was knowledgeable and made good suggestions. We were swimming by end of next day, mid September. Highly recommend.
Con Arali
Con Arali
1695623629
I can’t recommend Sunny more, I called him yesterday for a solar heating quote and he turned up today, Sunny not only provided a quote with a good price but also fixed the current aged leaking solar heating at no cost. I will have him install my next solar pool heating.
Bo Yu
Bo Yu
1693909434
Great experience with Thermo pools. Came out promptly, went the extra mile with no questions asked. A simply delightful experience.
Michele Bosman
Michele Bosman
1693826008
Sunny was very quick to respond to a maintenance call out for our 9 year old solar system. The issue was identified and resolved in a quick and friendly manner. I would thoroughly recommend Sunny and Thermo Pools.
Alison Stuart
Alison Stuart
1693803032
I had an excellent experience with Sunny.Very reasonable quote and prompt service and not least a sterling job done.Thermopools has my highest recommendation.Their quote to replace the solar heating was actually less than what I paid 15 years ago!,I am happy to be contacted personally
Richard Hanbury
Richard Hanbury
1691229586
What a find Sunny was! We needed new pool lights and scaling taken off the pool tiles. Both tasks were approached with great problem solving and dealt with promptly. Thanks Sunny for a job well done
Kathy Kershaw
Kathy Kershaw
1686640523
Great communication and service always top notch
Oscar Harding
Oscar Harding
1685085676
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