What's the best solar pool cover?
Here are some picks for some of the best solar pool cover options in a range of categories:
- BEST OVERALL: Sun2Solar Clear Rectangle Solar Cover
- RUNNER UP: Blue Wave 12-mil Solar Blanket
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Intex Recreation Solar Cover
- BEST FOR ROUND POOLS: Sun2Solar Blue 16-Foot Round Solar Cover
- BEST FOR OVAL POOLS: Doheny's Micro-Bubble Solar Covers
- BEST FOR SQUARE POOLS: Sun2Solar 8-Foot-by-8-Foot Square Clear Solar Cover
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. ...
How to choose a solar pool cover?
How to Choose a Solar Pool Cover
- Measure the size of the pool to get the properly sized cover. If a cover is too small, it will not be as effective in warming the pool.
- Select a light color for the pool cover. Darker colors and blues may look nicer over the water, but a clear cover is the most effective because it allows ...
- Choose a solar cover with air bubbles in it. ...
Do swimming pool solar covers really work?
Do solar pool covers really work? Yes, definitely! Here’s how: Pool water absorbs around 75% to 85% of solar energy that hits the water, keeping it warm on sunny days without using an electric or gas heater ( 3 ).
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.
How many degrees will a solar cover heat a pool?
Solar covers work to raise the temperature by the pool up to 12 degrees because the tiny air pockets capture heat from the sun and transfer it to the pool water while also acting as insulators to prevent heat from escaping off of the surface of the water.
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 I put a solar cover on 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.
Does a pool heat faster with solar cover on or off?
If you are relying on the sun to heat up your pool, it makes sense that the more sun your swimming pool is exposed to, the faster your pool will heat up. For example, a pool entirely covered by a solar blanket and gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight may heat up even up to 10 degrees in a single day.
Should you leave solar blanket pool during day?
A solar cover won't instantly or magically warm your swimming pool water, but can provide an incredible difference in temperature if you use it consistently. When your pool is not in use during the daylight, a solar cover will help to retain heat, and will use the warmth of your pool to continue to heat up the water.
Can I run my pool pump with the solar cover on?
Is It Safe To Run The pool Pump With The Pool Cover On? It is safe to run the pool pump and filter with a swimming pool cover on. The pool cover doesn't in any way stop or hinder the pool pump from circulating the water or carrying out its function.
How long do solar pool covers last?
Most solar covers last for up to three years, though many people replace them more frequently. Utilizing a solar cover and taking advantage of the return lines in your pool is another way of prevent evaporation as well as distributing the warm water throughout all your pool and quick more efficiently.
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.
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.
Can I leave my solar cover on all winter?
Clean it, Dry it, Fold it and Store it for the winter. You can leave it on the reel, if you cover it. Keep your water chemistry balanced and remember to remove the solar cover when shocking the pool, and always store your solar cover in the shade or covered on the reel.
Does a black pool cover heat the water?
A very common question we have noticed is “Do pool covers really heat the water?”. The short answer is YES. There are many pool blanket manufacturers claiming that their pool covers heat the water by up to 8 degrees Celsius.
How can I keep my pool warm at night?
Learn about the most common ways pool owners can reduce their heating costs, while still maintaining a nice, toasty pool.Use a Liquid Solar Cover to Reduce Pool Heating Cost: ... Solar Blanket: ... Solar Sun Rings: ... Install Wind Blocks: ... Install a Pool Cover:
How long does it take for a pool to heat up by the sun?
Conclusion. It takes a long time to heat the pool water using the sun, a heater, or a heat pump, and warming up your pool for at least 3-5 days is recommended, even if you have a heat pump or heater with a high BTU. Once your pool is warm, cover it up with a solar cover to trap the heat.
How can I heat my pool fast?
The fastest way to heat your pool is to use a gas pool heater and a solar cover. It's like heating up your coffee in the microwave and putting a lid on it. No matter how you plan to heat your pool, you should at least have a solar cover (or liquid solar cover) to help you retain the heat.
Will a black pool cover heat the water?
A swimming pool tarp, for example, that's black on both sides is like a giant solar panel. Because a black tarp on a swimming pool's water surface traps solar heat energy, it will eventually turn cool, refreshing pool water into a tepid, warm bath.
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.
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 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.
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.
Why do you need a solar cover for a pool?
Generally having a solar pool cover will save money in the long run, particularly if you heat your pool using electricity or gas. They will also extend your swimming season and reduce the amount of money you spend on chemicals.
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 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 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.
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Whether you have an inground pool or another type, a solar pool cover is designed to help naturally heat your swimming pool through solar rays and can keep the water temperature at a comfortable level throughout cooler months of the year.
Pros and Cons of Solar Pool Covers
Solar pool covers serve two basic purposes: Protect the pool and help naturally raise the water temperature. Long considered essential for pool owners, pool covers prevent debris from getting into the water, minimizes evaporation and can help with security when the pool isn’t in use.
What are the Different Solar Pool Covers?
There is a wide variety of solar pool covers available on the market—from premade, inexpensive solar covers available through online retailers, to custom solar pool covers that can be sourced through local swimming pool companies. Understanding the types of solar pool covers available will help you determine which is best for your needs.
How Much Does a Pool Solar Cover Cost?
There is a spectrum to the costs for solar pool covers. On the low end, liquid solar cover costs less than $40 per bottle, which may last a few months. In the mid-range, solar blankets can last a few years for an average of $200 if you do the installation yourself and do not use a pool cover reel.
How much energy is saved by a pool cover?
2014 research produced a study by Colgate University on the use of a pool cover for 7 hours each night with the result of energy cost savings of over 30%, for the Lineberry pool on campus. And in 2012, A Michigan Energy Office case study on Chesaning Union Middle School pool showed a 50% reduction in energy use, with the unexpected benefit of reducing humidity inside the indoor pool structure. A study in Australia as early as 1963, showed that ‘clear plastic film’ could be used to both halt evaporative heat loss, and for sunny outdoor pools, would also absorb solar radiation to warm the water.
How Effective Are Solar Covers?
To a poolman, solar blankets are the biggest pain in the neck imaginable. You show up to clean the pool – but have to first clean the solar cover, and carefully roll it up or fold it on deck, before even getting to the pool water .
How much heat does a solar blanket add to a pool?
For a pool that is completely covered by a solar blanket, and one that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight on the pool, a 10-15 degree F gain is not unusual.
Why do we need solar blankets?
A solar blanket helps to both heat the water, and retain the heat at night, or prevent heat loss from cool air temps or heat robbing winds.
Do solar covers really work?
Conclusion: Solar Covers do really work! Both to retain heat and reduce humidity , and when used on outdoor pools, they also add heat to the pool (Liquid Solar does not add heat). There seems to be a bit of a trade-off in convenience for effectiveness within this product category.
Does Cal Poly measure heat gain?
Discussion: The recent Cal Poly study did not measure heat gain or energy savings, although evaporative heat loss could be used as a proxy for energy costs.
