Solar thermal systems for pool heating are so common and mainstream that most manufacturers provide very detailed installation instructions. It is important to follow these instructions as they outline the most efficient way to install the equipment.

Although you may be (or think you are) an accomplished DIY expert, don't ignore the documentation – it often includes many useful hints and tips gathered from years of installation experience!

Indoor swimming pools have exactly the same heat load throughout the year. A solar thermal setup can provide 50% of the load in winter and 100% in summer – the amount varies because there's less solar radiation in winter to generate heat. In general, an indoor pool solar thermal installation is sized to generate the right amount of heat on the best possible day: this ensures that the system never overheats.

When you first set foot in the renewable energy arena, it can look daunting: different technologies, different approaches, net-zero, net-positive, PV arrays, solar thermal, geothermal, wind power... it's a big subject and can be confusing. So where should you start?

There are some things you can do to save energy and money before you install even the simplest renewable energy system. The three simple steps are to reduce losses, increase efficiency and reduce consumption.

The single biggest use of solar thermal systems worldwide is to heat swimming pools. As a result, special technologies have appeared that facilitate this use, the best of which is a web-and-tube setup. The requirements for seasonal pool heating are much simpler than those for a whole-home, all-season solar thermal system: the water only needs to be heated to a little above ambient temperature, the collectors don't need to be climate-proof (as they're only laid out in hot months, when needed) and they don't need any glazing.