Every pool owner wants to spend more time in the water and less time on cleaning and maintenance. Solar pool heaters are usually marketed as a maintenance-free way to warm up your pool in the spring and fall, but they operate more efficiently and last longer with some very simple upkeep tasks. Consider trying these solar pool heater tasks that are often overlooked.

Cleaning the Filter

The water in your pool's filtration system runs through the filter before reaching the heater, so naturally blockages and debris in the filtration unit will result in reduced flow through the heater. The less water flowing, the cooler the water will be throughout the pool. The filter may not be a direct part of the solar pool heater, but proper maintenance of it is required to keep the heater working properly.

Balancing the Chemicals

The heating process causes the chemicals used to keep your pool's water balanced to evaporate into the air. Raising the temperature increases the use of chlorine, requiring you to adjust your treatment routine to prevent algae growth and other imbalances that could interfere with the functioning of a solar heater system. Get professional help from a pool maintenance team if you're seeing signs of chemical imbalances, like green or cloudy water.

Winterize the Heater

Don't just let your solar pool heating system stay attached to the pool over the winter. Even if you live in Florida and enjoy mild winters, unless you're swimming all winter long, shut down the heater and winterize it properly every fall. Follow a winterizing procedure, such as

• Shutting off the circulation pump
• Draining the lines
• Opening the valves on the solar collectors
• Switching the pump into the bypass setting.

This prevents water from freezing in the lines and damaging your solar pool heater.

Clear Away the Debris

In order to get the maximum possible heat gain from your solar roof collectors, you need to keep them free from debris like leaves, fallen branches, and pine needles that can accumulate especially in the fall. Allowing these materials to build up over the winter may create damage on the surface of the heat collectors as well because debris traps moisture and encourages the growth of algae and moss. Use a hose or roof rake to gently remove any debris at least every month or so during the seasons of heaviest leaf fall and storm debris. Have the collectors inspected if you suspect damage from falling tree branches. For more information, contact a company like AAA Solar Source.