Full Answer
What is the best solar cover for an inground pool?
Top best solar pool covers for inground pools reviews
- Sun2Solar Blue 12-Foot-by-24-Foot Rectangle Solar Cover. ...
- Blue Wave NS520 14-Mil Solar Blanket. ...
- Intex Solar Cover for 12ft Diameter Easy Set and Frame Pools. ...
- Robelle 1836RS-8 Box Heavy-Duty Solar Cover. ...
- Solar Sun Rings Solar Pool Heater. ...
- Blue Wave BWC752 Bronze Rectangular In Ground Pool Winter Cover. ...
What is the best solar blanket for a pool?
Best solar pool cover brands of 2021, according to experts
- Sun2Solar 1600 Series Blue Solar Pool Cover. Both Dobrica and Collins recommended the Sun2Solar line of products. ...
- MidWest Canvas 12 mil Solar Cover. Dobrica recommended this cover for its easy maneuverability, UV protection and high-quality insulation.
- Blue Wave 12 mil Solar Blanket. ...
- Intex Blue Solar Cover. ...
What are the best swimming pool covers?
Types of Swimming Pool Covers
- Thermal Pool Blankets. Thermal pool blankets are primarily designed to retain water heat. ...
- Solar Swimming Pool Covers. These covers are designed to warm the pool water during the day but they are also useful to keep leaves and debris out of your pool.
- Slat Swimming Pool Covers. ...
- Leaf and Debris Pool Covers. ...
Do solar covers heat pools?
Solar pool covers can heat pool waters to around 12 degrees; this is a significant free heat value we get from direct sunlight. They have tiny air pockets that capture and store heat from the sun which it’s transferred to the pool. Solar pool covers act as insulators to prevent heat from escaping from the water.
How fast does a solar cover heat a pool?
about 6 hoursHow Quickly Will a Solar Cover Heat my Swimming Pool? According to the experts, a fully covered pool will heat between 10-15 degrees in about 6 hours. There is mixed information out there. Some experts say that you will get 7-10 degrees with three consecutive days of sun.
Are pool solar covers worth it?
The short answer is yes. It has been scientifically proven by at least 3 studies that solar blankets help to warm swimming pools. They also help to retain pool heat at night, help to reduce humidity and help to save on energy costs.
How long can you leave solar cover on pool?
Solar blankets usually last about 5 years if the pool chemistry is good. They will eventually start deteriorate. The first sign of the solar cover starting to wear is the bubbles will be floating on the water. At this point, the cover will soon begin to break apart like flakes.
How much warmer does a solar cover make a pool?
10-15 degrees FahrenheitDepending on the weather, a solar blanket can heat up a pool even up to 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit in a single day. However, on cool, cloudy days, a solar cover will not be as effective at warming up the pool. On average, expect about a 5-degree increase within the first day.
Do solar covers cause algae?
So while a solar cover won't actually 'turn your pool green', it will warm your water by up to 8 degrees, so if the other conditions are right, adding a solar cover can easily accelerate algae growth, very rapidly. You need to get the water balance in your pool right before putting the cover back on.
Do the bubbles go up on a solar cover?
For the solar pool cover to successfully transfer the sun's heat into the pool water, the bubbles must face downwards. This is because the sun's heat gets trapped inside the bubbles. If the bubbles are facing away from the water, they will not be able to transfer the heat into the water.
Should I cover my pool every night?
Solar pool covers should be left off during the day to allow for even heating of the water. Pool covers should be taken off at least once a week to allow collected carbon dioxide to escape; too much carbon dioxide can make the water acidic. Unless the pool is in use, pool covers should always be used at night.
Can I shock my pool with the solar cover on?
Solar Cover Use There are times when you should not use a solar cover. Remove the cover during heavy storms and wind events, to prevent damage from flying debris. Remove the cover before shocking a pool, and leave it off until chlorine levels drop below 2.5 ppm.
What is a comfortable temperature for a swimming pool?
78 to 86 degrees FahrenheitAccording to the World Health Organization, water temperatures ranging from 78 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are generally comfortable and safe for those engaging in moderate physical activity in a pool.
Are blue or clear solar covers better?
The transparency of the clear solar cover more of the sun's UV rays to penetrate through the cover and heat the pool greater than the blue solar cover.
Does a solar pool cover heat the water?
First things first, you have to bear in mind that only solar pool covers heat water. Other pool covers such as rigid and thermal covers will only retain the heat in your pool water but won't actually warm the water.
Should you leave a pool cover on during the day?
In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the pool increases. Therefore, it is generally beneficial to have a transparent or bubble cover on during daylight hours. In warm, humid conditions the evaporation rate decreases. In this case, it may be more beneficial to leave the cover off during the daytime.
When should you use a solar pool cover?
Basically, the best time to use a solar pool cover is anytime you're not swimming. This will help maintain your water level and keep your pool water to a nice heated swimming temperature. Especially during the nighttime when temperatures are most likely to drop.
Does a solar pool cover heat the water?
First things first, you have to bear in mind that only solar pool covers heat water. Other pool covers such as rigid and thermal covers will only retain the heat in your pool water but won't actually warm the water.
Can I shock pool with solar cover on?
Solar Cover Use There are times when you should not use a solar cover. Remove the cover during heavy storms and wind events, to prevent damage from flying debris. Remove the cover before shocking a pool, and leave it off until chlorine levels drop below 2.5 ppm.
How effective are solar pool rings?
The 10 rings covered about 80% - 90% of the pool and did exactly as they said. They reduced the evaporation substantially and warmed up the pool nicely. Because the temperature here is not super hot they did not make the pool too warm but just comfortable, and certainly better than no cover.
How Effective Are Solar Pool Covers?
They also help to retain pool heat at night, help to reduce humidity and help to save on energy costs. But they are very cumbersome to handle and maintain. So the gains made on energy savings could be balanced off by the annoyance of handling them.
How Do Solar Pool Covers Work?
Solar pool covers look like giant sheets of bubble wrap that go over your pool. The bubbles trap the sun’s heat and keep it in the pool, leading to a pool that stays warm for a longer time. Other than heating pools during the day, solar blankets also help the pool retain heat by protecting the water from cool night winds and air. How many degrees will a solar cover heat a pool? On average, a fully covered pool can gain between 10-15 degrees on a sunny day within about 6 hours.
What is solar pool cover?
Solar pool covers otherwise known as solar blankets are swimming pool covers that use the sun’s energy to keep swimming pools warm. But how effective are solar pool covers?
How much does a solar blanket reduce heat loss?
A 2016 study by Cal Poly found that solar blankets can reduce heat loss and evaporation of pool water by as much as 95%. Solar Pool Covers can also heat water to an average of at least 10 degrees. A 2014 research by collage found that pool covers can cut energy costs by as much as 30%.
How many degrees does a pool get on a sunny day?
On average, a fully covered pool can gain between 10-15 degrees on a sunny day within about 6 hours. Does a solar cover have to cover the whole pool? For optimum results it is best to get a blanket that covers your whole pool.
Do you have to clean a solar cover?
Additionally, you must clean the solar cover often as part of your pool cleaning routine . This can be an annoying task. So, is all this hustle worth it? If you love swimming in warm water but can’t afford a heated pool then having a solar blanket is a worthy investment of time, money, and effort.
Can you take solar covers off a pool?
Solar pool covers can be extremely cumbersome. Spreading them over your swimming pool as well as taking them off the pool is time-consuming and awkward exercises that often needs an extra pair of hands. Additionally, you must clean the solar cover often as part of your pool cleaning routine. This can be an annoying task.
What are some good alternatives to solar pool covers?
A good alternative to the “normal” solar pool covers are solar rings (aka solar mats ). These have some benefits and look much more visually appealing.
What happens when heat is transferred to the water beneath the pool?
Once the heat is transferred to the water beneath, there is somewhat of a greenhouse effect that is going on. Where the heat is trapped below the cover, maintaining your pool’s heat.
What is the most cost effective way to heat a pool?
In my opinion solar pool covers are the most cost effective method for heating your pool. In think they give you the most bang for your buck.
Is it better to roll a solar pool cover or unroll it?
A solar cover reel makes it easier, but its still a pain. Half the time when you roll the cover up, it becomes uneven as you are rolling it and then you have to unroll it and straighten it back out. There is no way around this struggle with the normal solar pool covers.
Do solar pool covers absorb sunlight?
These covers do a much better job at absorbing sunlight than water. Sunlight can penetrate water without the water being effected much. But solar pool covers absorb much of it and heat is produced. This heat is then transferred to the water below it.
Do solar pools reduce heat?
You can see here that evaporation requires a lot of energy and can really reduce your pools heat. With a solar pool cover you get the best of both worlds, more heat and less evaporation. Besides preventing heat loss by preventing evaporation, they also are very effective at heating up your water. This is the more obvious function of solar covers.
Do solar pool covers help heat?
One lesser known fact about solar pool covers is that they actually help heat your pool by preventing evaporation. Thats right, evaporation and heat are linked.
How does a solar cover for a pool work?
A solar cover is basically a sheet of plastic that looks like bubble wrap and lies on top of your swimming pool. About 75 percent of a pool’s heat loss is due to evaporation. A solar cover helps reduce evaporation, thereby keeping the water inside the pool and preventing heat loss.
What are the challenges of a solar cover?
One of the main challenges for a solar cover is for pools that are custom shape. The solar cover must be the exact same size as the pool opening. If you have a custom size that has curves and is asymmetrical getting your solar cover trimmed to the exact dimensions is very, very challenging. You’ll also need a system for removing, storing and replacing the cover every time you want to swim. Many inground pool customers opt to use a reel to automatically remove and replace the cover. That helps reduce the time it takes you to deal with the cover, but the reel is bulking and not attractive. If you are investing in an outdoor living plan with landscaping, a reel system for your cover is probably not going to be a great fit.
How long do solar pool covers last?
The thicknesses are. 4 mil (blue in color) which is garbage and will fall apart in a year. 8 mil (blue in color) which will last 1-2 years. 12 mil (clear in color) is better and should last 3-4 or more years.
How to keep pool water warm in the morning?
Keep the dust and crud out of the pool and keeps the water temp up during the night so it is warmer in the morning.
Does a solar cover stay on a 16x40 pool?
Hi Alice, to answer your first question in regards to the cover staying on the pool, I have a solar cover on my 16x40 pool and have never had it blow off, or even up for that matter. The surface tension on the water seems to hold it flat, and not allow the wind to catch a corner, and 99% of the time I am winding the cover up myself on the reel, and it is no effort at all, just make sure its going on even.
Do you need a cover for a pool?
Where I live a cover is mandatory if you install any type of electric or gas heater on your pool. As others have said - it mostly retains heat.
Is it better to have a pool with consecutive days of heat retention?
To be certain, though; the net result of consecutive days of heat retention is a substantially warmer pool than you would otherwise have had.
