Thermal modeling and energy efficiency assessment of passive solar heating systems in outdoor swimming pools
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Abstract
Outdoor swimming pools in educational and recreational settings consume significant energy for heating, particularly in regions with extreme climates. This study develops a location-specific thermal model to evaluate the effectiveness of passive solar heating systems—namely, a telescopic polycarbonate enclosure and a floating insulation cover—in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Using hourly meteorological data, two configurations were simulated: an uncovered baseline (case A) and a dual-passive enhanced case (case B). The proposed system improved average water temperatures by 4–5°C and reduced nighttime heat loss by over 70%. Annual heating demand decreased from 3456 kWh to 410 kWh, while methane consumption and CO2 emissions dropped by 90% and 15.7%, respectively. The payback period was calculated at 2.9 years. These results confirm the feasibility of low-cost, low-maintenance passive systems for sustainable pool heating in high-insolation regions.
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