Author: Solar Bear

Are Solar Pool Heaters High Maintenance?

We’re truly living a life of luxury if we can heat our pools with clean solar power! Thankfully, setting up your heated pool to utilize solar isn’t as high maintenance as it sounds. Find out how you can use your very own solar panels to heat up your pool with a solar pool heater before calling in the experts at Solar Bear Orlando for professional solar services and installation near you!

A Low-Maintenance Solution to a Comfortable Pool

Heated pools used to be reserved for mansions or high-end homes that you would only be able to witness on public television. But with solar power becoming standard practice, certain luxuries are now available to a majority of the general public! You won’t even have to pay an arm and a leg for a warm pool to enjoy when you’re craving a dip during cold nights or winter mornings.

The only thing keeping you from a low-maintenance heated pool is a working solar panel system. As long as your solar panels are cleaned and functioning, using them to heat up your pool is as easy as having an expert hook up a solar pool heater for you! But what about the weeks or months after installation? Do you have to put in regular upkeep to keep the fun going? All you need is regular cleaning, and you can just do that whenever you clean the pool itself.

Expert Tips On Solar Pool Heater Upkeep

For a solar pool heater that works flawlessly when you want it, follow these simple maintenance tips:

1. Clean your solar panels regularly to remove dirt and debris
2. Opt for routine inspections to identify and fix leaks and damage
3. Check your solar power system during peak seasons
4. Leave all inspections and maintenance to a qualified professional

Take good care of your solar pool heater with these helpful tips and you can expect it to last up to 20 years or longer!

How to Conduct a Simple Touch Test Like checking for a fever, you can gauge the health of your solar pool heater simply by touching it for its temperature. If it feels nice and cool, then it should be fine. If it feels a bit on the warmer side, it could be overheating or malfunctioning. That’s when it would be a good time to call your local solar professionals!

An Inside Look at a Solar Pool Heater

Your next lesson in being a responsible solar pool heater owner is knowing all of the parts that make up your system. Don’t worry, the components are simple to understand and easy to identify!

The most critical components of a solar pool heater include:

• The solar collector – In many homes, this would be a solar panel (or a collection of solar panels) for the heating tube to connect to.
• The pump – This hose circulates water between the pool and the solar collector to heat the water and place it back where it’s needed.
• The filter – Just like any other water filtration system, a filter is needed to clear out any debris when water is circulating between the pool and the solar collector.
• The flow control valve – Pretty self-explanatory, the flow control valve controls the flow of water between the pool and the solar collector.

We’ll Set Up Your Solar Pool Heater For You! Call Solar Bear Orlando to Ask For A Free Estimate.

Ready to start enjoying a heated pool without the high maintenance? Solar Bear Orlando can set up your solar pool heater for you and keep it running efficiently year-round! Call us today at (727) 471-7442 for a free quote and to ask about our financing options.

Solar Usage By House Size: Our Guide

Here at Solar Bear Orlando, we know that choosing the right solar solution for your home can be overwhelming. With so many factors to consider, like the size of your home, and how many panels you need, it can get confusing. But that’s what our team is here to help with!

In this guide, we will break down what you need to know about solar usage by house size so you can make the best decision for your home.

How House Size Affects Solar Energy Usage

When it comes to solar power, your home’s size, the number of solar panels, and local weather conditions are all important factors to consider. Let’s discuss how house size can affect solar energy usage.

Small Homes

For smaller homes up to 1,500 square feet, the energy requirements tend to be lower. This means that you would only need a few solar panels to meet your needs. With a few panels, you can expect to generate around 5-7 kW of energy, which can help you offset your solar costs.

Medium Homes

Medium-sized houses, like those that are 1,500 to 2,500 square feet will obviously require more panels. Generally, we recommend a system that produces at least 7 to 12 kW. 

Larger Homes

We consider any home over 2,500 square feet a “large home.” Of course, the larger square footage will require more solar panels to account for higher energy demands. We recommend a system that can produce 12 kW or more depending on the size and layout of the home.

For example, a 2,000-square-foot home with a south-facing roof that gets full sunlight most of the day may need 16-20 panels depending on the home’s energy consumption needs.

Factors to Consider

When determining how much solar power your home will need, it is important to consider:

• Energy efficiency: If you use energy-efficient appliances and lighting, you can reduce the number of solar panels you will need.
• Climate: Living in the sunshine state comes with a lot of perks, ample sunlight being one of them! The amount of sunlight your property receives will play a big role in how much energy your panels will generate.
• Roof Size & Orientation: The direction that your roof faces and its size can make a big impact on how much energy your solar array will produce.

Read More > What Are the Best Ways to Invest in Your Home?

Make the Most of Your Investment

At Solar Bear Orlando, we are here to help you with everything solar! Our team are experts in solar energy and can help you install the perfect solar array based on your home’s size and energy needs. Whether you want to lower your energy costs or be part of the shift toward a more sustainable future, we are here to guide you!

Contact us today at (727) 471-7442 for a hassle-free solar quote and start using Florida’s sunshine to power your home!

How Do Solar Hot Water Heaters Work?

The future is powered by solar, and that includes everything. Hot water heaters are in the group of home essentials that can be solar-powered which is good news for homeowners looking for ways to save on energy. This isn’t some newfangled technology that’s only reserved for the modern-day home. If you have solar panels, then you can use them to power your water heater. Your trusted solar experts at Solar Bear Tampa are here to show you how it works!

Solar Water Heaters 101: The Basics You Need to Know

You probably already know how solar panels work, and if you don’t, the concept is very simple. Solar panels collect energy from the sun to be redirected to electronic devices and appliances in your home. You could even stash away excess energy into a backup battery to be used later if you wanted! This is what we call energy dependence, and it can be used to do everything in your home including operating your water heater.

Here’s what happens when you use solar panels to heat your water:

1. Your solar panels act as a “collector” to extract energy from the sun.
2. The collector heats up the transfer fluid in your water heater.
3. The transfer fluid heats up your water tank through a heat exchanger.
4. Your hot water is ready to be used!

Active vs. Passive Solar Water Heating Systems

Solar water heating systems come in two types: active and passive. What we just described earlier is one of the most common types and is easy to implement, and that would be the active indirect circulation system which utilizes heat-transfer components.

With passive solar water heating systems, your water tank would be located on the roof closer to the collector. The water is heated by the source and is then dropped below into the home once a faucet is activated. This might seem nifty, but might not be practical for days that aren’t exactly hot or sunny.

Tips For Choosing Your Solar Energy Collector

When you imagine a solar collector, whether you know it or not, a solar panel may be the first to come to mind. Solar panels (also called flat-plane collectors) are the most common type of solar collector because of their convenient design. The flat panels can easily blend into the roofing so it’s completely out of the way and requires minimum components.

Solar hot water heaters are also compatible with other types of solar collectors, such as:

• Batch collectors, or Integrated Collector-Storage (ICS) systems, which combine the solar collector and water heater into a single unit.
• Evacuated tube collectors that are made up of glass or metal tubes for direct heat transfer with little leeway to lose heat.

Solar Bear Tampa Will Install Your Solar Hot Water Heater For You. Call Us Today For a Consultation!

The possibilities are endless, and Solar Bear Tampa is here to help you find the best solar hot water heater setup for your property. Give us a call today at (727) 471-7442 to ask for a free quote and to schedule an on-site consultation! Read our FAQ page to find out what more you can do with the power of solar.

What Are Some Extra Ways to Reduce My Home Expenses in 2025?

Things are getting expensive—fast. If you’ve felt your wallet tighten with every utility bill, grocery run, or home improvement project, you’re not alone. So, how do your cut down my monthly costs and still enjoy the life you want? Well, you have more options than you might think—especially if you’re ready to embrace the full potential of solar.

1. Embrace Solar Power

Going solar isn’t just about sticking panels on your roof—it’s about taking control of your energy future. The 2025 solar panel systems are sleeker, more efficient, and more budget-friendly than ever:

• Advanced Panel Technology:Newer panels can capture more sunlight per square inch, delivering a greater energy return on a smaller footprint.
• Battery Storage Options:Store daytime energy and run your home on solar well into the night.
• Federal and State Incentives:Tampa homeowners can benefit from tax credits and solar rebates that significantly reduce the upfront cost.

Also, don’t forget to ask your solar provider about Florida’s net metering policies to earn credit for any surplus energy you feed back into the grid.

2. Modernize Your Thermostat

A programmable or smart thermostat can revolutionize your home’s energy efficiency, especially when paired with solar. By automatically adjusting temperatures based on your schedule, you’re not blowing cool air into empty rooms while you’re out. And you can set it to power up once your solar panels are harnessing the strongest midday rays.

3. Improve Your Home’s Insulation

A well-sealed house is a happy house. If your windows and doors leak conditioned air, you’re practically tossing money into the wind. Simple steps include:

• Caulking and Weatherstripping:Fill gaps around doors and window frames.
• Attic and Wall Insulation:Quality insulation keeps the cool in and the heat out, which is vital in Tampa’s sizzling climate.
• Window Upgrades:Double- or triple-pane windows can block exterior heat while your solar panels generate the energy to keep you comfortable inside.

4. Replace Outdated Appliances

An old, energy-guzzling fridge or air conditioning unit can seriously increase your power bill. But in 2025, modern appliances are built with energy efficiency in mind—meaning less strain on your monthly wallet and more synergy with your solar setup.

5. Take Advantage of Solar Water Heating

Why pay extra to heat water when the sun can do it for free? Solar water heating systems harness Florida’s abundant sunshine to warm your household water supply. If you already have solar panels, you can integrate a solar water heater seamlessly. This not only reduces your utility bills further but also ensures hot water even on those rare chilly Florida mornings.

Your Future Is Bright With Solar in 2025

Money doesn’t have to fly out the window every month. By investing in solar power and making a few targeted improvements around the house, your 2025 can be one of lower bills and greater comfort. Here at Solar Bear of Tampa, we’ve seen families transform their finances (and their daily outlook) simply by tapping into Florida’s most abundant natural resource: the sun!

Want to slash expenses and power your home the renewable way? Call us at (727) 471-7442 today! We’ll help design a solar solution tailored to your budget, your house, and your future.