ClearDome Solar
Thermal
www.cleardomesolar.com
Unique Hot Tub/Spa
Solar Water Heating Pads
The world's
first removable clear floating solar heating panels designed to heat your
home hot tub, or melt frozen animal water troughs in winter
And introducing our new 7 gallon Solar Water Heating Tub/shower kit
Here’s the least expensive way to warm the water in your home hot tub or small pool using only the free energy from the sun. Installation takes only minutes using our unbreakable plastic floating solar heating pads. This is an entirely new design that's sure to change the way spas and small pools receive their primary heat. You can also use them to reduce water freezing in small ponds or animal water troughs. No pumps, pipes, valves or expensive exterior heating panels are required so the savings is considerably lower that any other type of water heating.To place an order and to see if your outdoor spa is properly situated and to use our spa heating pads, please first
click here to read the instructions on this page.
Questions? click here: cleardomesolar@sbcglobal.net
ClearDome Solar Hot Tub Heating Pads are crystal clear, lightweight,
unbreakable, and float on the water surface to allow maximum sunlight
transmission while trapping the heat. Spa heating pads made for
San Diego customers can be made in larger sections, as this photo shows on an 8' round spa.Click here to jump to the the water surface template instruction web page and the PayPal order links.
We also now offer a durable 7 gallon solar water heating unbreakable tub/shower kit (see photo below) that comes complete with a solar heating spa pad cover and shower attachment.
Every surface area on earth that's exposed to the sun absorbs direct solar energy all day long, even on cloudy days. That energy is transformed to heat as soon as it touches an object. If you trap that absorbed energy with a clear dome or transparent covering, heat will build even more since it can't escape, just like your car sitting in the sun with the windows rolled up.
It's a known fact that each square foot of sunlight that touches a surface will generate up to 100 watts, or 300 BTU of heat in bright, midday sunlight. That heat can be captured in many ways to heat air (as with our solar forced air heater) or water in a typical solar water heating panel or in water heating containers such as a spa or even a dark colored tub shown below.
Since most of the heat loss is by evaporation, a clear cover will reduce or eliminate much of the heat loss while allowing as much as 90% of the sunshine to pass through and heat the water. Water is an excellent heat absorber and thermal storage medium, especially if the bottom surface is dark colored when it's less than two feet deep. The darker the surface, the warmer it gets. The less thermal mass the sun heats, the faster and hotter it will become, so shallow water in a dark covered container heats quickly.
Our new transparent ClearDome Solar water heating pads allow solar energy to pass through from the top to the bottom of the water while it creates a solid thermal dead air barrier that prevents most of that energy (now converted to heat) from escaping. In simple terms, the water in your hot tub is transformed into a giant solar heat absorber. It becomes a highly efficient direct heat generator that costs nothing to operate.
Most conventional large, expensive exterior roof mounted solar pool heating panels do not have the clear dome protection that prevents heat loss from open air and wind dissipation -- as well from long pipe runs -- so maximum spa temperatures seldom reach 100 degrees. Also consider the expense of running the pump most of the day to recirculate the water through the exterior panels and back to the spa. It adds up, eliminating much of the cost savings from using that type of solar heating panel system.
We suggest not using your pump when heating with our pads to prevent heat loss and to save on high daytime electricity costs. Set the pump/filter timer to turn on at night or during normal usage when the utility rates are the lowest. These double walled, unbreakable lightweight polycarbonate plastic panels float on the surface of the water and prevent evaporation while they insulate the top of the water from heat loss. Evaporation accounts for as much as 70% of the heat loss, especially on windy days.
Conventional colored pool and spa heating blankets are most effective at reducing evaporation heat loss, but lack the ability to add significant solar heat to the water because they stop most heat energy transmission at the surface. Crystal clear ClearDome Solar water heating pads pass about 90% of both visible and invisible solar energy through the water and spa interior, where it's absorbed and transformed to heat.
They are far more durable than plastic film or "bubble wrap" type water blankets because of the rigid, unbreakable polycarbonate construction. Solar heating pad users can expect a 5+ year life, while the flexible plastic spa blankets can begin to degrade in only 1-2 years. The full length sealed air channels provide much better insuation from heat loss and more completely cover the water surface, even in strong wind.
Here's why they're superior for heating your above ground hot tub or small pool:
In customer beta testing for over a year, all users have confirmed that little or no conventional heat was needed to maintain water temperatures between 100-104 degrees F on continuous sunny days. In our 300 gallon test spa that has no conventional heating and only partial insuation on the spa sides, we've found that 70 degree water temps will reach about 95 degrees F after 2-3 days of full solar heating with 60-70 degree daytime temps and nights in the 60's. At night, water temperatures fell only 1-2 degrees by midnight with the spa pads on, so no additional heat was needed during these fall tests in San Diego. Longer, warmer days and nights will increase water temps considerably. No chemicals are added to the water, so every week the spa water is used to water plants and add to the fish pond.· Major cost savings over conventional or exterior solar panel heating
· 1/10 the purchase price of exterior solar water heating panels
· No pipes, pumps or valves, so no leaks and no repairs
· Non-toic, Chemical and UV resistant for 5+ years of use
· Eliminates nearly all evaporative and much nighttime heat loss
· Increases water temps from 5-15 degrees on a spring or summer day
· Lightweight, unbreakable, and easy to install/remove
· Unbreakable 1/8" thick polycarbonate hinges on each 2' wide section for easy folding
· Standard size pads cut from 2' X 8' panels for all shape spas under 8'
· Many other uses such as ice melting for ponds or water troughs on freezing daysOne happy beta tester named Bob in Ukiah, California emailed us in early July to say:
"I heated it just the once... to about 95 degrees then it went to about 105 that next day. Since then I haven't needed to heat it (using electric heating). I can minimize heat loss through the use of the insulated cover, but have found that unless I'm intending to do some morning soaking, It'll be fine by the time I use it in the evening..."
A well-insulated thick foam/wooden cover helps prevent a few degrees of temperature loss at night, but we've found that on most summer nights, our heating pads actually provide similar heat loss figures within 1-3 degrees in a well-insulated spa. On warmer nights the water temperature drops only a few degrees without the cover or additional heat, as Bob relates above. Any nighttime heat lost is quickly regained the next day. On hot summer days, individual pad sections can be folded over to expose water and start evaporation to reduce excessive water heating. Folding over also slows heat loss when only a few people are using the spa. Another method to regulate heat is to shade part of the spa with your top insulating panel or a piece of dark plastic.
Conventional electric or gas hot tub heaters can cost at least $75-$275 or more per month to keep the water hot because of fuel and pump costs. But as long as the sun shines, your spa water will heat 5-15 degrees F in a day for free, and lose only a few degrees at night, assuming you have adequate surrounding insulation and full all-day sun on the spa. They'll pay for themselves in three to four months of summer use. Very little conventional heat is required to maintain 104+ degree F water temperatures in summer except on cloudy or cold days, as long as the pads are in place. Your conventional heat becomes a backup system, and the hot tub season is extended since you'll still be adding solar heat, even on partly cloudy days.
Two half round pads float on water
This unique solar heating product is so safe, simple and easy to use, even properly trained youngsters can install and remove the pads. They are much lighter and easier to use than convention spa heating blankets, and will remain flat on the water surface on windy days to prevent excess heat loss and evaporation. And because they are crystal clear, you can see always to the bottom of the spa to check for accidental fall-ins.
Low purchase price, available now
You can heat or maintain temperatures with any sunlit home spa or small pool under 6 feet across with about 4-6 hours of direct sun. We suggest all day sun for maximum heating. ClearDome Solar water heating pads are available to purchase now from our order link page after you've read through the sizing and installation guidline page. The purchase price that includes cutting (using the water surface template you provide), sealing and attaching each panel with attached unbreakable clear polycarbonate hinges UV-resistant plastic connectors that allow the panels to be folded into smaller sections for easy installation and removal. The 2 foot wide folded sections also lower shipping costs considerably.
Total installed cost per spa is priced by the size of your spa, which must be less than 8' across.
On warm summer days, individual panel sections can be folded over to expose water and start evaporation to reduce excessive water heating. Folding over also slows heat loss when only a few people are using the spa. Another method to regulate heating is to shade part of the spa on a warm sunny afternoon with your top insulating panel. To see if your spa is in a favorable location for using our tough solar heating pads, and for simple directions on how to make a water surface template that will provide an exact fit your hot tub water surface (and to order), please click here to jump to the directions page.
We suggest not using our solar heating pads in public spas because heavy daytime usage makes it difficult to benefit from constant pad coverage. Also, we've found that removed pads in public spas are seldom replaced unless a pool monitor is assigned to that duty each time the spa has been used.
Now Available!
We've adapted our unique Solar Spa Heating Pad concept for use on containers smaller than kid's pools, ponds and spas. With smaller bodies of water, temperatures rise more rapidly and water will make water even warmer--all without using expensive solar water heating panels or conventional heating fuels.
The new 7 gallon ClearDome Solar Water Heating Tub/shower kit shown below will increase water temperatures by 10-12 degrees per hours on sunny days. So in 2-3 hours of midday sunshine, you can warm 70 degree F to comfortable bathing or dish washing temperature water (95-105 degrees F). Less water heats even faster and hotter. Leave it in the sun longer and the water temperature will continue to rise. And you can use it to melt snow or ice to make drinking water on sub freezing days.
This new type of simple, inexpensive solar water heating product is ideal for use in developing countries for every day use, for camping, survival and in emergencies. Unlike flimsy plastic solar heating shower bags that will eventually leak, and are heavy to lift, these lightweight, unbreakable HDPE food safe dark brown tubs come with a clear unbeakable lid much like the Solar Spa Pads.
New 7 Gallon Solar Bathing Tub/Shower kit
But this removable polycarbonate lid covers the entire top of the container to allow sunshine to pass through and add solar warmth, while eliminating evaporation heat loss. It also prevents bugs, animals or or tree droppings from being deposited into the water. Heating temperatures are increased by using the a foldable Mylar solar reflector, which sits under the tub. It also insulates the bottom of the tub, especially on cold ground. The fastest, warmest temperatures occur in summer and early spring and late fall when there is more avaiable sun, and the sun angle is higher.
It also comes with an on/off valve, and connected shower hose and sprayer for 7-9 minute showers. When it's placed on a table, wall or car, water can easily be drained by gravity for showers, and added with a hose or a bucket. Each complete tub/shower kit costs only $49, plus shipping/handling and is available to order by clicking on the PayPal order link below. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
To learn more about ClearDome Solar Spa Water Heating Pads or the 7 gallon tub/shower kit, please send your email questions to: cleardomesolar@sbcglobal.net or call solar heating designer Deris Jeannette at 619/990-7977 in San Diego, California, USA. To read about our other unique solar products including the solar forced air heaters, solar heating and cooling fabrics or SolarReflex 900 Parabolic solar cooking reflectors, please visit our Internet homepage at: www.cleardomesolar.com
ClearDome Solar Thermal
-2/15/07-
