05 Jun

Do Solar Covers Really Work?

Solar Covers for Swimming Pools

We still get people asking us if solar covers really do ‘work’… so we figured we’d take a few minutes to list a few of the benefits we have seen people reap by using solar covers on their swimming pools.

‘Rapid’ warming of pool water

Most people begin the swimming season with a pool full of ‘ice water’. Not literally, but the phrase, “Wow! That pool’s as cold as ice!” does get used quite frequently at the beginning of most swimming seasons.

Solar covers work at night to keep heat gained by the water from the sun’s rays in the daytime in the pool until the next day. On average, solar covers can raise the temperature of pool water by 10 to 15 degrees, a temperature gain that uncovered pools reach much later in the swimming season.

Saves money in more than one way

Properly used solar covers reduce evaporation and that means more water stays in the pool (less fill water required over the season), more of the chemicals remain in the pool (less chlorine/bromine used over the season), and folks with pool heaters do not need to use them as often to maintain ‘pleasant’ pool water temperatures.

Reduction in maintenance time

Solar covers act as a barrier for blowing leaves, lawn clippings, dirt, and most importantly insects that typically fond their way into pools. A solar cover will not stop ALL contaminants from getting into a pool, but it does reduce the number that people have to vacuum out and/or scoop up off the top.

Proper use of solar covers

Before you get the idea that solar covers will do all of the aforementioned things without ANY work on your part, please notice that we used the phrase ‘properly used solar cover’ several times.

Proper use of solar covers includes:

  1. Covering all surfaces of the pool including side step areas. They make small pieces of solar cover for step areas.

  2. Maintaining a rip and tear-free solar cover. Solar blankets with gaping holes in them work as well to keep pools warm as a comforters with giant holes in them keep us warm in the winter.

  3. Keeping the solar cover out of direct sunlight when not in use. They make solar cover covers for this purpose.

  4. Putting the solar cover back on the pool at night regularly. Solar cover reels (Above Ground Reels and In Ground Reels) make this task a lot easier.

  5. NOT leaving the cover on the pool for days on end. As chlorine/bromine oxidizes organic contaminants gases evolve and if not allowed to leave the water, those gases can result in annoying water chemistry problems. As an example, algae likes to show up in pools that remain covered for too long.

  6. Speaking of water chemistry, test critical pool water parameters on a regular basis and keep your pool water balanced. Poorly balanced pool water makes a nice home for algae and bacteria… and can drastically shorten the lifespan of a solar cover!

Need a reliable test kit for your swimming pool? Take a look at the eXact Micro 7+ Pool/Spa Testing Meter and/or Taylor Test Kits for Pools and Spas.

Ready to purchase a solar cover?

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12 Mar

Question: Do I Need a Solar Cover?

Solar Covers for Swimming Pools

One of the most asked questions of all time when it comes to pool care: Do I need a solar cover?

Answer: No, pool owners do NOT need a solar cover, but they do offer some pretty nice benefits.

(1) Save Water: One water district in the Las Vegas, NV area claims on their web site that pool owners can reduce pool water evaporation by as much as 90% by covering their swimming pools when not in use. ( source )

(2) Save Money: Less evaporation means less water loss over the season and that means fewer times a pool owner has to stick the garden hose in the pool, which raises the water bill, or call for a water truck, which also costs money.

Pool owners also save money in the form of chemicals (i.e. chlorine, bromine, etc.) since a covered surface cannot off-gas as readily. Less off-gassing means the chemicals a pool owner paid for and added to their pool will stay in the water longer and not need replenishing as often.

(3) Extended Swimming Season: Simply put, the water in pools with a properly used solar cover will stay warmer for a longer period of time after the peak Summer heating days have passed and people can continue to enjoy a pool for a few extra weeks.

(4) Less Cleaning: Solar covers offer a bit of protection against blowing debris such as leaves, dirt, etc. Instead of landing on the pool’s surface and immediately sticking and/or sinking to the bottom, some debris will just bounce off and continue on its way.

So as you can see, a small investment in a solar cover has the ability to make your swimming pool experience a lot more enjoyable. Below you will find links to solar covers in all different shapes, sizes and thicknesses:

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