Thermal modeling and energy efficiency assessment of passive solar heating systems in outdoor swimming pools
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.