Sunbather Inc. Company Profile

unbather USA in Sebastopol CA specializes in custom solar pool heating systems that are decades beyond what's normally available in the United States. Unlike the rigid, black, blocky systems generally available, Sunbather's solar pool collector systems are flexible to fit any roof contour, and they come in six colors to blend gracefully with the exterior design of any home. What's more, Sunbather's solar pumps are sized to fit each pool exactly, and they are not a part of the pool equipment. This means that Sunbather pumps are quieter than traditional pumps; they save energy because they're not cycling constantly (which means they last longer than normal pumps) and they're very quiet. Once you've seen (and heard) the Sunbather system, you'll wonder why anyone would cover their roof with blocky, black solar collectors.

Innovations from Down Under
John Haley, CEO of Sunbather USA, explains why the Sunbather system is so inventive: "Sunbather was developed in Australia, which is a mature solar market that's been in existence for more than 30 years. In Australia, over 80 percent of pools are installed with solar heating, as a part of normal installation. It's just expected there, so the market forces drive tremendous innovations that you just don't see here." In the U.S., solar heating tends to be added as an afterthought (if it's added at all), but John sees that changing as more homeowners, schools, communities and businesses seek ways to be environmentally sensitive and reduce their carbon footprint and their energy bills. As energy prices rise and pool heating bills average hundreds of dollars per month (or, astonishingly, nearly one hundred dollars per night if a large pool is heated with propane), the U.S. solar market is growing up quickly.

Environmental Sensitivity, Aesthetic Appeal and Affordability
Sunbather solar collector systems are warranteed for 15 years, and John Haley estimates that the system pays for itself within two and a half years, "Which means you get 12 and a half years of free heat." The return-on-investment benefit, however, isn't just financial. Sunbather's flexible system can be placed more freely than solar electric panels. If you don't have direct southern exposure—or if you've got an existing photovoltaic array taking up a large portion of your roof—Sunbather collectors can be placed on eastern, western, or even northern exposures (if you only heat your pool in the summer months). According to John, this flexibility means that a Sunbather solar system can maximize the coverage available on your roof—often trumping conventional solar heating installation coverages by 50 to 100 percent or more.

The color choices at Sunbather are also a definite bonus. Instead of living with blocky eyesore collectors, you can have your choice of six colors in streamlined, flexible collector strips that can follow the contour of any roof line. John says that, "Sunbather's main goal is to provide heat that doesn't sacrifice a home's beauty and design aesthetic, and to extend the swimming season without extending costs."

John Haley is in partnership with Sunbather's U.S. manufacturing arm, and his customers like the fact that the manufacturer of their solar pool heating system is a direct partner in his company. They also appreciate the fact that John stays in touch and sends regular reminders about turning on their systems, turning them off and scheduling maintenance. John would love to see the U.S. solar market grow up and flourish. To that end, John Haley brings 22 years of experience in marketing and software to Sunbather, and he's creating an interactive, accessible website to help educate consumers and pool contractors about the many benefits of Sunbather's solar pool heating systems. He's already seeing changes in the contractors he's working with, and he's created a private Web infrastructure where contractors can bid jobs and get technical specifications. In essence, John Haley is making it as easy as possible for clients and pool contractors to experience and benefit from Sunbather's many innovations.