It is a very popular question in forums. Many people in the USA, Australia, Canada try to do a DIY solar pool heating, which is very similar to a Dome heater. At least, the process is the same.
Many people try to find answers and choose between these two.
That is why I am also trying to find an answer to this question.
The truth is DIY is better than Dome. When customers seek the best and cheapest pool heater solution, DIY and Dome heaters come to mind. Both are very similar in features and functions. However, Dome is very easy to operate.
It is very hard for me to choose between these. The short answer is that it depends on your needs. Today, I am going to tell you, which is better? Please read this article before making your decision.
Let’s find out which one is the best.
Functions
Both come with black pipes. These utilize your existing filtration system to push the water through the black pipes and warm it by the Sun. You need a pump, inlet, and outlet pipes. For the dome heater, the function is a bit different. Solar energy is magnified like the greenhouse effect through the clear lens of the Dome and captured by the black pipes. However, it depends on the location and atmosphere. If you get the sunlight properly in summer, you do not need a solar panel for DIY. During winter, you need panels. The Dome heater is best during winter.
Temperature
Both of these products can raise the temperature to 7 degrees C. However, many customers said DIY performs better than Dome. However, I think it depends on several factors like the quality of the Dome, the location of this experiment, the structure of DIY solar pool heater, and many others.
However, you may need more than one set of black pipe heaters to warm the water quickly. One user said in a video that a DIY heater raises the temperature to 7 degrees C, but the dome heater heats only 5 degrees C. So you need to think twice, based on your requirements.
Price
DIY is a home-based solution. It would be best if you had black pipes to keep the heat from the sun. Dome also works in the same way, but you can buy it online. You do not have to manufacture it if you have a busy schedule.
Based on the market rate, Dome is available for under $200. DIY is home-based, but you need to buy the raw materials and spend time.
Manufacturing Process
It takes around three days to prepare a DIY solar heater. It would be best if you had things like
Aluminum cans
4feet*8feet plywood
Wood Sheet 4 feet*8 feet.
Heat resistant black spray
Plastic tube
Drill machine
DIY is a homemade heater. You need to spend a basic cost to prepare it. Moreover, you need technical skills and a lot of time for this. Please remember you need a minimum of two sets of DIY to warm your pool water.
Durability
Both are durable. Often Dome solar heaters come with a warranty. Indeed, it is a great choice if you find a warranty.
I have excluded Energy Consumption because both use sunlight to warm the water. You can install a solar panel or capitalize direct sunlight to use these gadgets.
Dome Vs. DIY Solar Pool Heater: Which is the Best?
If I have to buy one, I will buy a Dome heater because I do not want to go through the technical process of preparing a DIY. However, if you have the technical skills, you can prepare one.
DIY and Dome are very similar in functions, and the user’s point of view varies. If you need to use a solar pool heater during winter and want the cheapest solution, you should choose Dome.
However, for a long-term solution, you should choose a high quality solar pool heater that saves your energy and gas bills in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Black Tarp Heat a Pool?
Many people do not know that solar heaters and tarps work differently.
A black tarp does not heat a pool like a solar heater, but it prevents water evaporation and saves the heat in the daytime.
On the other hand, solar heaters save power with the help of photovoltaic systems and store the energy in a battery, which you can use at night.
In the case of the black tarp, you know that there is no energy store; it just prevents the heat and water from evaporation, and thus influences the temperature of the water.
Does Liquid Solar Cover Work?
The liquid solar cover works in stagnant water, but it does not provide results like a solar heater.
A solar heater saves the energy of the sun in a battery, and you can use the energy at night. However, liquid solar cover works differently. It works like a tarp by creating a clear on the water. It prevents evaporation and impacts the temperature of the water but does not increase the water like a solar heater.
Do Solar Heaters Work Better on Smaller Homes?
Solar is a new technology, and it is very different from traditional heaters, so many people have questions regarding this.
Indeed, solar heaters work better on small homes because they absorb the intensity of the sun in the daytime and use the energy to heat the room in the absence of the sun at night.
You can use a DIY heater for a small area because it is low cost, and it will give you the full value of your effort and time. However, if you want to buy a heater for large premises, then a dome heater or branded solar heater will work the best.
Final Verdict
In short, my suggestion is, if you have time to prepare a DIY heater at your home, then you do not need to buy a Dome heater. Otherwise, a solar pool heater dome is not a bad choice.
The best solution is a solar pool heater, which is costly but saves you money in the long term. It works even in winter.
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