Choose a solar cover with air bubbles in it. The bubbles help separate the material from the water, and sunlight can go in easier. Look for pool covers with reinforced UV-stabilized polyethylene. This type of plastic is more durable and lasts longer. Solar pool covers without this will deteriorate quicker when in the sun for long durations.
How do I choose the best pool cover?
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 the sun's rays to penetrate. A black cover will quickly heat up, but the long-lasting effects will not be as effective as a clear cover. Choose a solar cover with air bubbles in it.
Do I need a solar pool cover?
If you have a pool, you should have a pool cover. Some are designed for safety, some are designed for long term winter coverage, some are used just to keep debris out and some are used for heating and insulating the water. Solar pool covers are designed to heat, insulate, protect, conserve water and save money all at the same time.
What is a 24ft solar pool cover?
This Harris’ 24ft round solar cover is the environmentally friendly way to raise your pool temperature and maintain heat, without breaking the bank on your heating bill. It allows the sun to penetrate and warm the pool; unlike some other solar covers that reflect the sun away from your pool.
How do you clean a solar pool cover?
An effective method of cleaning your solar pool cover starts by removing loose debris with a garden hose and sprayer. Then, mix gentle soap (liquid hand soap works well) and water and lightly scrub any stubborn areas with the solution and a soft brush.
What should I look for in a solar pool cover?
The best solar pool covers have a side covered with small air bubbles and resemble a giant sheet of bubble wrap. These air bubbles trap heat from the sun and radiate it into the water.
What is the best solar pool cover to get?
The 5 Best Solar Pool CoversCompanyForbes Advisor RatingPricingBlue Wave Clear Solar Blanket for Inground and Above Ground Pools (14-Mil)4.2ExcellentIntex Round Solar Cover4.2ExcellentSun2Solar Blue 15-Foot Round Solar Cover | 1600 Series Style4.2GoodMidwest Canvas Ultra 12 Mil Solar Blanket4.1Great1 more row•Jul 2, 2022
Does thickness of pool solar cover matter?
Pool Solar Cover Thickness – Does it Matter? Pool solar covers can be found in 8 millimeter, 12 millimeter, or 16 millimeter thickness. In terms of performance, a thinner solar cover will allow more heat to pass through to the water, but a thicker cover will absorb more heat.
Is clear or blue solar cover 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.
How thick is a 1600 series solar cover?
$189.99More InformationSolar Cover StyleCrystal ClearThickness (Series)1600 Series™Pool ShapeRectangularPool Size16' x 32' Rectangular2 more rows
What does mil mean for pool covers?
The most common term for vinyl, “mil” (not to be confused with millimeter) is a unit of measurement equal to one thousandth of an inch. Therefore, a 20 mil liner thickness is equal to 20 thousandths of an inch.
What MIL is best for solar covers?
between 12 and 16 millimetersAim for a thickness between 12 and 16 millimeters. It's worth noting that even the top pool covers won't replace the job of the best pool heaters (opens in new tab), but a good quality cover will trap in the heat and can increase the water temperature slightly.
How do you size a solar pool cover?
To determine what size solar pool cover you need, simply measure the longest and widest points of the pool. When the cover is installed, it's best to completely covers the water surface so there aren't any gaps for heat to escape.
Do thicker solar covers work better?
After testing, we found that any solar pool cover between 12-mil and 16-mil performed best for heat retention. Higher mil solar covers absorbed more heat and were found to be more durable against the sun damage, chemical resistance, and ripping.
What is the most popular pool cover color?
Pool Cover Colors Today, green and blue covers are the most inviting, popular choices for homeowners, but you can also find shades of black and gray as well as Earth tones to complement virtually any backyard or color scheme.
How many degrees will a solar cover heat 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.
Are some solar covers better than others?
Both types of solar pool covers can help trap heat, but it's clear that blue ones are more efficient at both conveying the heat to the water and blocking heat from escaping.
Are solar pool 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.
Do black solar covers work better?
Dark colors absorb a lot more heat than lighter ones because they absorb more light energy. Winner: Clear covers retain more heat because they hold less heat themselves. You may also find that your pool's chemicals remain better balanced because less evaporation occurs.
How effective are solar pool covers?
How does a solar cover work? 75% of a swimming pool's heat loss is due to evaporation. A solar cover minimizes heat loss from evaporation by acting as a barrier between swimming pool water and the air. Specifically, you can reduce your swimming pool heating costs by up to 70% by using a solar cover.
What is the difference between a solar cover and a solar blanket?
Solar Cover Benefits Retain Heat - When the sun sets and the night air cools, heat in your pool water is lost. A solar blanket floating on the water keeps much of that heat from dissipating. If you heat the water with a gas or electric pool heater, then this will save you a boat load of money too.
What is a Solar Pool Cover?
Solar pool covers are UV-stabilized polyethylene pool covers that strongly resemble an oversized sheet of colored, heavy-duty bubble wrap. But they are so much more than that!
How Does a Solar Cover Work?
The small air pockets that make up a solar cover serve a few purposes: 1) to keep the blanket afloat, 2) to transfer solar heat energy into the water below, and 3) to insulate the water’s surface against heat loss during the cool evening hours. In addition, the solid polyethylene layer significantly reduces the rate of evaporation.
Why Buy a Solar Cover?
Learning how a solar cover works makes it easy to understand the benefits of using one. During the warm summer months, the average pool loses around 1.5” of water each week due to evaporation alone. Pools in hot, dry climates can lose even more. In addition, chemicals must be constantly replaced due to evaporation or breakdown from UV rays.
How to Choose a Solar Pool Cover
There are many choices available when deciding on a solar cover for your pool. They’re offered in three thickness levels: 8 mil, 12 mil or 16 mil. Each thickness level has its own set of pros and cons. As you’ll see in the table below, the thicker 16 mil cover lasts longer and transfers more heat, but also comes with a higher price tag.
Caring for Your Solar Cover
To get the most out of your new solar cover, you’ll need to care for it properly. Most warranties cover delamination (separating layers) or separation of the seams between panels. But the most common reason covers fail is improper care and handling, which isn’t covered by warranty.
Conclusion
It’s easy to extend your swimming season with a new solar blanket for the swimming pool! A solar cover is a smart pool investment that will quickly pay for itself thanks to the savings on water, chemicals, and heating energy. With prices starting under $100, there’s never been a better time to purchase a new solar cover for your pool.
Why trust us
Our main goal is to provide readers with unique and detailed research to facilitate the cover selection process.
Why you need a solar pool cover
The solar cover is a protective bubble wrap that is placed on the surface of the pool water. There are covers in different shapes, colors, and thicknesses. This item is necessary for all pool owners, as it performs the following functions:
Accessories to make using the solar pool cover the most comfortable
Some things can help you enjoy using the cover more. Below are the best solar pool cover accessories:
Summary
A solar cover is the best solution for heating your pool without paying large heater bills. Also, it has many other useful functions, such as keeping the heat, keeping the water level, protecting from insects/plants/leaves/dirt, saving chemicals, etc.
FAQs
We recommend choosing transparent solar covers, as they allow deeper penetration of sunlight, and therefore heat the water in the pool more strongly. We recommend that you pay attention to the following transparent color models:
Why buy solar pool covers?
Going further into the benefits, we would like to break down each benefit to better understand it. Retain Heat – The covers can raise and retain water temperature up to 18 degrees higher than without. Water temperature drops when the heat is evaporated from the surface of the pool.
How does a solar pool cover work?
Understanding how to use a solar pool cover properly and how it works is the first step to deciding if it’s suitable for your needs. The solar covers effectively raise the water temperature of the pool. They also retain the temp during cold nights. This, in turn, helps reduce chemical use.
How thick is a solar blanket?
When it comes to effectiveness and durability, the thicker the cover, the better. With the In The Swim Solar Blanket, you get a full 15 mils thickness to get the best results. This allows for a faster and easier increase in pool water temperature and reduced evaporation.
How thick is a Sun2Solar cover?
This Sun2Solar Solar Cover is lightweight and only 8 mil thick. Because of this, it is easier to put on and take off the pool. The thickness of the cover also means that it may not increase pool temperature as the thicker option. The weight of this cover makes an excellent choice for areas that don’t get heavy winds.
How thick is a thermo tex pool cover?
This next product we will review is a thinner, but durable option for heat retention by preventing evaporation. The Thermo-Tex cover is a 6 mil thick cover. It is made of high quality, UV stabilized polymers. This makes it withstand sun and chemical damage from your pool.
Why are pool covers transparent?
These pool covers are either completely clear, or transparent with a blue tone, to allow sunlight to pass through. They feature thousands of small air bubbles that face the water. They get warm by the sunlight, thus transferring heat. Then when the water starts to evaporate, it gets trapped under the cover.
How to reduce evaporation in pool?
Reduce Evaporation – Evaporation is reduced up to 95% by trapping water under the cover. It warms it and returns it back to the pool. This is great for the environment and for your pocket, as you will be saving money on water. Reduce Chemical Use – Less water needs to be added to refill the pool.
What color pool cover should I use?
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 the sun's rays to penetrate. A black cover will quickly heat up, but the long-lasting effects will not be as effective as a clear cover.
What is the job of a solar pool cover?
The essential job of a solar pool cover is to warm the water by harnessing sunlight and preventing the evaporation of water when the pool is not in use and at night. Selecting a solar cover depends on factors that include pool size, preferences and price range.
What is a manual pool cover?
A manual pool cover is simply pulled on and off. An automatic pool cover uses a small motor and a roll to pull the cover out and back in. A semi-automatic cover uses a small motor, but the cover has to be guided by one or more people. Look for package deals that include the cover, reel and motor mechanism.
Why use a solar pool cover?
Your solar pool cover will reduce water evaporation, which means you don’t have to constantly be filling your pool and readjusting the chemicals.
How much does a solar pool cover increase the temperature?
The general answer to this question is that a solar pool cover can increase the temperature of your pool by approximately 5 degrees for each 12 hour period of sun exposure. If your pool is already fairly warm, you won’t have to wait too long to warm your pool water.
How does a Harris solar cover work?
This Harris’ 24ft round solar cover is the environmentally friendly way to raise your pool temperature and maintain heat, without breaking the bank on your heating bill. It allows the sun to penetrate and warm the pool; unlike some other solar covers that reflect the sun away from your pool.
How long should I wait to start a solar pool heater?
When you start an electric or gas pool heater, you can expect to wait a day or two before your pool is to the right temperature. The same is true with a solar pool cover. The results aren’t instantaneous, so be patient. Second, pool depth matters with a solar pool cover.
Why do you need a pool cover?
Keeping your pool covered will reduce evaporation, keep pool chemicals in balance longer, and keep junk out of your pool. A pool cover will reduce filter replacement costs, reduce your water bill and reduce the amount of chemicals that you need . This one simple step saves you time and money.
Why cover a pool at night?
From an efficiency standpoint, covering your pool at night will help keep heat in your pool. It doesn’t make sense to do all of that work and take the time to heat your pool with a solar cover or pool heater, just to let the heat dissipate off of the water surface.
How to get a consistent temperature in a pool?
The deeper the water is , the longer it will take to get a consistent temperature. Of course, if you get the upper part of your pool warm, swimming and playing in the water will mix the water, and create a consistent temperature. Just don’t be surprised if the deeper water is colder.
Featured Partner
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.
The 5 Best Solar Pool Covers
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing, customer rating, shapes and sizes available, UV resistance and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
How to Determine Which Solar Pool Cover Is Best for You
Solar pool covers perform several functions. However, different designs are best for different functions. None of them is the best at fulfilling every need. Consider the following factors to help decide what qualities to look for.
Reasons to Buy a Solar Pool Cover
Solar pool covers save energy costs. The climate you live in determines how much. In some areas, it can be as much as 70% savings over not using a cover. Most savings are the result of not having to run the pool heater as often by way of using the sun’s energy as free heat, and then insulating against losing that heat to the atmosphere.
Durability
There is much debate about how long a pool cover should last. Lack of durability is the number one complaint when it comes to pool covers. Although some people report continuous use of a solar cover for several years, some only get one season out of them.
Methodology
To determine the best solar pool cover ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on eight major companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Solar pool covers can be a bit expensive. Oftentimes though, proper use can yield enough money savings to offset the cost of the cover. The benefits are greatest for those who live in areas that are relatively cool where free solar heating and insulation will be most valuable.
Why use a solar pool cover?
By using a solar pool cover, you can also limit the evaporation of your pool water. This is a huge money saver as the costly chemicals used to keep your pool clean tend to evaporate along with pool water. Keep the water and those expensive chemicals in your pool where they belong. The biggest pro of solar pool covers is that they prevent heat loss.
What are the pros and cons of solar pool covers?
Solar pool covers provide the same benefits as regular pools covers. They keep debris out of your pool, prevent algae growth, and reduce pool evaporation. Keeping your pool relatively free of leaves, dirt, and other annoying muck, means less time spent cleaning. Same thing with the algae growth.
Is solar pool cover a financial investment?
One of the downsides associated with solar pool covers is that they are a financial investment. Solar pool covers need to be sized specifically for your pool, and there is a cost associated with this personalized fitting. Additionally, it’s advised to purchase your solar pool cover from a reputable vendor as lower-end models tend to deteriorate ...
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 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.
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%.
Can a blanket cover a pool?
A blanket that partially covers the pool will still help to heat the pool, especially when there is direct sunlight. But solar blankets that cover the whole pool are much more effective.
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.
Do solar pool covers really work?
So, do solar pool covers actually work? 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.
