How To Use A Solar Pool Cover

If you ain a pool, then chances are you've heard of solar pool covers. And if you oasis't, then all the more reason to continue reading.

Why?

Because solar pool covers are i of the virtually useful tools at a pool owner'southward disposal. They save energy, time, and money. Of course, if you're reading this, then you're probably already thinking about buying one.

Merely if non, this post volition all the same fill yous in on everything yous demand to know well-nigh solar pool covers. From how they work, to the multitude of benefits that come up with using them. With that said, hither'south a simple guide on how to apply a solar pool cover.

How To Apply A Solar Pool Cover

What is a solar pool cover

A solar pool comprehend, or solar blanket, is a sparse and lightweight sheet made from a special UV resistant plastic. Each blanket is double-sided, with one side smoothen and the other similar to chimera wrap.

Only like a regular lid on a pot, covers trap in heat and reduce evaporation while shielding unwanted debris from inbound your h2o.

At present that may non sound similar a huge deal, but consider that 75% of heat loss is due to evaporation. A pesky, yet avoidable problem that every uncovered pool is field of study to. Ane that'due south hands resolved by using a solar puddle encompass.

How does a solar puddle encompass piece of work?

As you pool sits out under the hot rays of the sun, it naturally collects solar rut. Hence why your water is always warmest on the sunniest, hottest days of the year.

But seldom is that natural heat plenty to provide a steady, comfortable swim throughout the year. This is why many pool owners invest in a pool heat pump — they're a reliable source for on demand heat. Yet even with the all-time pool heater, evaporation is still a major trouble.

That is until y'all utilise a solar pool cover. A solar pool cover creates a barrier between the surface of your puddle water and the atmosphere. Merely like we mentioned earlier, it's a lot similar putting a lid on a warm pot. Not only does information technology incorporate the heat, but it also helps it rut faster.

Without a encompass, your water is gratis to evaporate into the atmosphere, burning away chemicals and losing rut apace.

Only with a solar encompass applied, any heat that would have been lost to evaporation stays contained in the h2o.

Hither's how to put i on your puddle.

How to use a solar puddle cover

For the most role, using a pool comprehend is as simple equally "fix it and forget it". Of course, making sure to apply the cover correctly is critical, which is what this section is about.

When you open upward a cover for the first time, it probably won't exist a perfect fit. Therefore, you lot'll demand to cutting it to the right size.

Your puddle cover should span the length and width of your water and your water simply. To exist articulate, you don't want any actress cover draped onto whatever of the ledges, as this greatly reduces the encompass's effectiveness and allows for evaporation.

So with that said, grab a pair of scissors and shape the cover to fit snuggle atop the surface of your water.

Equally you apply the cover, make sure the bubbled side is facing the h2o — the plastic air bubbles are what keep the cover adrift.

From at that place, your job is pretty much done. Simply remove and reapply the cover as needed.

When to use a solar pool encompass

Whatever time y'all're not pond is an excellent time to apply your solar cover. Peculiarly if it'due south nighttime when exterior temperatures are lowest. This is when your pool volition cool off the fastest, so always employ the cover to hold onto that heat.

So overall, use information technology always, considering who doesn't desire to salvage as much estrus, water, and energy as possible?

Benefits of a solar puddle cover

If y'all've read this far, then you already know that the main benefit of solar pool covers is their ability to improve your pool'south heat and water retention. Just that within itself has a few other furnishings on your puddle system, good ones though, of course.

A few important benefits of using a solar pool cover include:

Less pool maintenance: covers assistance keep debris out of your puddle
Better energy efficiency: solar covers conserve heat reducing the need to run your pool heater
Less chemical use: shields your h2o from harsh UV rays that burn away pool chemicals
More than comfortable swims throughout the year

[Want to relieve even more than energy? Check out these energy saving tips for your swimming pool]

Alternatives to solar puddle covers

If you aren't quite ready to purchase a solar encompass, consider ane of the alternatives.

Liquid Puddle Covers

Y'all wouldn't think that you could reap the same benefits with a liquid solar cover every bit you lot could with a physical cover. But surprisingly plenty, liquid pool covers are nigh as effective every bit traditional solar covers when information technology comes to estrus retention. And in case you were wondering, aye they're non-toxic and perfectly condom for swimmers.

That said, the main drawback of using a liquid comprehend is that it can't shield your h2o from unwanted debris. Also, consider that liquid pool covers need to be reapplied, or in other words, repurchased.

Solar Rings

Solar rings are pretty much solar pool covers merely cleaved up into smaller rings, or circles, that connect magnetically. They won't comprehend your water as snug equally a traditional cover, but you lot only demand every bit many every bit information technology takes to cover the surface. So in the end, they may end upwards being a little fleck less, or more than the cost of a regular embrace.

How to make your solar pool cover more effective

At that place are a few other means to take advantage of solar power while improving the effectiveness of your solar encompass.

+Apply an energy-efficient pool heater

Pool Heat Pumps

Although pool rut pumps don't really collect solar energy with panels, they exercise harness solar heat. In fact, the hotter it is, the better a pool heat pump performs. This is considering they employ an evaporator coil and fan to draw in natural heat, then convert into a hot gas for heating your water.

Acquire more than: How Pool Heat Pumps Work

Solar Pool Heaters

Solar pool heaters use fixture of panels installed on a roof, coupled with a stiff pool pump. As the panels collect energy (heat) from solar rays, the pump sends water to the roof, where it passes through the fixture's heated tubing and back into the pool.

Of form, virtually solar puddle heater owners know that without steady sunlight, consistent estrus isn't likely. Hence why many of them use solar pool heaters and pool heat pumps together. This puddle heater combination is, is the most reliable AND energy efficient pool heating option bachelor.

Read more than almost it here: Pool Estrus Pumps vs Solar Puddle Heaters

+Use an automatic timer

Ever wondered what happens on the days y'all get out the cover on but forgot to run the residue of the pool system? In brusque, rut loss. That'southward what happens, and lots of it.

Of course, with an automatic timer, you never take to worry well-nigh any of that. With just a few adjustments, an automatic timer can be set actuate on a set schedule, powering up your heater and pump even when you're abroad.

+Employ a windshield

You know what increases evaporation? An increment in area.

And there's only one matter that can increment your pool's surface area: movement.

But even if there are no swimmers in the pool, and the cover is applied, there'due south still one gene to account for. And that factor is good ole mother nature.

Specifically, the current of air.

As the current of air blows across the surface of your pool h2o, it creates small waves and ripples. Although actualization small, these waves greatly increment your water'south surface area.

And then the best way to combat the wind is to just cake it. Most pool owners brand use of pool enclosures to achieve this. Of course, anything that tin can reliably shield your pool from the elements is a step in the correct direction.