
Should solar blanket have the bubbles up or down?
When placing a solar cover on the surface of a swimming pool, the bubbles side should go down. The bubbles are what cause the cover to float, so the solar cover can be cut to conform to the size of the pool and it can be placed directly on the water.
Can bubble wrap be used as a solar cover?
This is because a clear cover will be better able to absorb and let in infrared or UVA light which will penetrate into the water thereby keeping it warm. The electronic versions of solar covers do everything the basic bubble wrap covers do but with 100% more intensity and effectiveness.
Does a solar cover keep water in your pool?
You will save on water as there will be less water evaporation as it covers the entire surface of the pool so it will prevent water loss into the air. Using a solar cover will extend the period that you can swim in your pool by heating it up earlier in spring and longer into the autumn.
How to use solar cover?
- Some plastic covers, especially solar covers, have bubbles that make them look like bubble wrap. If your cover has bubbles, lay it down so the bubbles face the water.
- If you have a round pool and cover, then pick a side to start on. ...
- These instructions will work for any plastic cover, even if it isn’t a solar cover. ...

How to remove solar cover?
Manual roller or reel: In this method, the solar cover is attached to a roller removed. Many rollers have a wheel at one end so that you wheel them away from swimmers if required. This is, therefore, the most popular method of removing and putting the cover.
How hot does a solar pool cover get?
This heat from the bubbles is then transferred to the pool water to keep it warm, and the temperature is usually raised anywhere from 10-15 degrees (Fahrenheit).
Why do you put a pool cover on?
However, the pool cover also prevents heat loss and evaporation, which usually occurs frequently and much quicker in windy conditions so that it may heat up quicker with the lid on.
Do you need to cover a solar pool with a sheet?
To ensure the durability of your solar pool cover, you must never forget to cover it with a sheet that reflects the rays when not in use.
Can a solar pool cover be used to heat up water?
What’s more to that is a solar pool cover also uses effective technology to make swimming effortlessly comfortable during the swim season. So to jot it down, installing a solar pool cover with the bubbles facing up may hinder the process of heating up the pool water, ultimately slowing the process and even damaging the bubbles severely at times. They may simply overheat while facing the sun’s direct rays and with the heat captures to transfer nowhere.
Can you put solar covers on a pool?
Thus, to conclude, putting the solar covers bubbles up or down is totally up to you. However, it’s best to know which side to place your solar pool covers on for its optimal efficiency. As the sun’s rays heat the solar cover, it starts to warm the water below it. Depending on how long the covers have been kept over the water, it will retain the heat even when the temperatures drop.
Does a solar pool cover make a difference?
Does it make a difference? Yes, it does. A solar pool cover is available in many shades of blues, grays, yellows, and even transparent. The colors make a difference to the amount of heat that is transferred to the pool water as well as the amount that is retained in the same. Dark blue covers are generally better at keeping heat than allowing heat to enter the pool, whereas transparent pool covers allow the heat to enter the pool the best but not retain it well enough. You can read more about how good transparent covers are in our article “ Clear Vs Blue Solar Pool Covers “
How do solar covers work?
You should put the bubbles down. The bubbles need to face the water and the smoother side faces up. Solar covers work by trapping heat that would otherwise be lost. The pockets of air created between the cover and the surface of the water heat up, trapping heated air next to the water to keep your pool warm.
Why are solar pool covers good?
Since up to 70% of water heat escapes through evaporation, Solar Pool Covers also maintain a hotter water temperature by preventing the heat from leaking out in the evening after peak sunlight has passed . Less evaporation is also good for the environment, because you’re using less water to fill your pool.
Why cut pool cover around edges?
Since the pool cover heats your pool mainly by trapping heat, you’ll want to cut the cover around the edges fairly tightly to keep it flush with pool walls. You don’t want heat escaping through cracks at the sides, but you also don’t want the cover to have wrinkles that lose heat because it doesn’t fit properly.
Why do bubbles go down in my pool?
Detailed Answer. The bubbles cause the cover to float above the water, while still transferring heat. So bubbles go down into the water when installing. There isn’t much to “installing” a pool cover, but you may need to cut it to fit the shape of your pool, to maximize effectiveness. Usually, markers and scissors are enough to trim down ...
Do solar panels clean pools?
No. It might seem gross to have a tarp over the top of your pool, sort of cooking the insides, but solar pool covers actually make your water cleaner. A pool cover prevents dirt and debris from flying into your pool and clogging the filter systems. It prevents dust from building up around the steps when it falls into your pool.
Can you swim with a pool cover on?
Never swim with the cover on! You’ll see a lot of information on the internet that says that the pool cover makes your pool “safer” by deterring children and pets from swimming. But know that the pool cover doesn’t prevent kids and dogs from getting in the pool! Use a proper pool fence or enclosure to prevent accidents.
Is it safe to pop your head under a pool tarp?
No. This can be really dangerous. Depending on the pool cover, there might not be a way for air to get under the tarp if someone pops their head up. I remember hiding in a pool during a hide-n-seek game as a kid and popping up my head under the top only to find that there was no air!
Why use solar cover in pool?
The advantage of a solar cover as compared to other covers is that it helps not only retain existing heat in pool water by eliminating evaporation it also then further heat up pool water using bubbles that act as a magnifying glass in order to amplify the sun’s warming rays.
What is solar pool cover?
Solar pool covers are like other types of traditional pool covers that prevent debris and dirt from finding its way into your pristine pool water but with a few major advantages.
What Happens If Bubbles Are Up?
If for someone reason you decide to put the cover on with the bubbles facing upwards you are essentially making the solar pool cover ineffective.
Why is it important to keep bubbles in pool water?
It is within these bubbles that heat is trapped so, therefore, it is vital that those bubbles are submerged in the pool water. Thereby, heat can then be effectively transferred from within the bubbles into your pool water.
Why do you need a pool cover?
Not only will the cover protect your pool from outside dirt and debris (thereby reducing the need for excessive chemicals) it will also help keep your pool water nice and warm whenever you fancy a swim; as long as you have the bubbles facing down!
Can solar panels heat pool water?
Solar pool covers are not as effective at heating water up as gas or electric pool heaters but then again they are not as expensive or as costly to run either. Also, if you live in a region that enjoys mild winters a solar panel cover may be more than enough to keep your pool water nice and pleasant all-year-round.
Do bubbles face down in pool?
That’s right, with the bubbles facing down! As long as the bubbles are facing down rest assured that your pool water is steadily heating up. So, the next time you want to take a dip in your pool (even if it is a chilly day) you will be greeted with warm and temperate pool water making the experience that much more enjoyable.
How thick is a solar cover?
The normal range of solar cover thicknesses runs from 8 mil to 16 mil. In case you are not aware a mil is one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch). 12 mil solar covers are the most popular thickness as they do a good all round job, are easy to handle and last quite a few years.
What color solar cover works best?
Pool cover colors can make a difference to the amount of heat that enters the pool and the amount of heat retained in the pool.
What is a solar pool cover?
A solar pool cover is basically a large solar blanket. It is similar to very strong bubble wrap that floats on the surface of the pool. It doesn’t need to be attached to the pool as the surface tension, and its weight, holds it onto the pool surface. In 6 years of having a solar pool cover mine has never been blown out of the pool or even been lifted – and we get some pretty strong winds here.
How fast does a solar pool cover heat a pool?
This obviously depends on many factors such as the weather (is it warm and sunny or cool and cloudy), the air temperature, the wind, the cover thickness and color and even the depth of the pool. See the sections below.
What is the best pool solar cover thickness?
There are a few things to consider when it comes to choosing the thickness of your pool cover.
Can you use a solar cover in the winter?
Well to a large extent this depends on what the climate you live in is like and whether you want to use the pool year round.
Can you use a solar cover on an above ground pool?
Solar pool covers work just as effectively on above ground pools as they do on in ground pools so there is no reason not to have one.
