Solar Pool Covers- A wise investment!

All of us like having fun in the swimming pool but someone has to take the pain for it and to maintain, you need to buy a wide range of accessories like-chemicals, sanitizers, pumps and heaters. One thing you cannot go with while having a swimming pool is an, “in ground pool cover”. These covers are relatively less expensive than the other kinds.

Almost 90% of the heat of the pools water, which is lost, can be retained with the help of a solar pool cover. These pool covers are alternatives to vinyl and insulated vinyl pool covers which are more costlier and heavier. Solar pool covers,  uses the Sun’s heat energy to keep the water warm and hence cut electricity cost. They are also called as “Bubble Covers”.

They are made up of heavier grade plastic sheets, with a bubble pattern, which is resistant to ultra violet radiations. The pools water is kept warm with the help of these bubbles, which absorb and retain heat. The plastic sheet hot only helps keeping water warm but also keeps the dust particles and other unwanted things out of water. A debris free pool means less money spent on chemicals and cleaning. The pools water heater also works more efficiently with less energy consumption. With this type of cover, eveporation losses are also low.

These solar covers for pools are made to last longer, while one thing needs to be checked. The excessive chlorine level in the pools water can turn the bubbles of the cover milky white which turns brittle and its life comes to an end.

Following a normal swimming pool maintenance routine, getting the pools water tested regularly, say, every four to six weeks, can avoid the unwanted chlorine level rise. As the cover is fitted for the first time, get your water tested in the first week itself, because this bring down the loss of chemicals by evaporation and then you can follow the normal routine afterwards.

Solar pool cover reel is designed to help an individual to move the solar cover over the pool as and when necessary. Normal solar covers are bulky and are difficult to use. With the help of this reel, solar swimming pool covers are easier to operate and over-all pool maintenance cost is lowered.

The bubbles on the cover allows the cover to float while the darker color material, captures and directs the Sun’s heat into the pool. A side wheel is provided to undone the solar reel ultimately moving the solar cover into its place. Using a solar reel is advantageous because it prevent wear and tear of the cover when moved roughly to its place.

Mesh pool covers are also available, but you need water bags to hold them down. With this kind you can keep the debris on top while the water goes down through the mesh.

You can also contact the pool store or the dealer to ascertain that you have the right accessory. Do some online research and find a suitable option for your need..
photo credit: Simon Welsh

Benefits of Using a Solar Pool Cover

Pools enhance the beauty of a home garden. But you have to take care of them properly to keep them beautiful. This also means that keeping your pool protected with a cover so that you don’t have to spend much on its maintenance. One of the best ways to keep your pool protected is to use pool solar covers. The solar pool cover not only protects the pool but also provides many other benefits. The above ground pool solar covers reduce evaporation, keep dry leaves and other debris from falling into the pool and trap the heat in the pool. To handle the cover easily you can also make use of the solar pool cover reel.

Preventing heat loss: Heat is lost from a swimming pool in three ways. By evaporation, through radiant heat loss and from pool floor and walls. During evaporation the cover will not let the water particles to escape. They will be trapped inside and will fall back into the swimming pool. This reduces great amount of water loss. The pool cover also minimizes the energy loss of water molecules to the atmosphere. Using a cover will reduce about 30% of the loss.

Absorbing sunlight: Apart from reducing heat loss, the covers are very useful for increasing the temperature of water. The amount of heat absorbed will depend on the kind of materials used to make these covers. If they are light more heat is absorbed and increases the temperature of water. If they are thicker or darker the temperature will be lesser. So it is better to have light covers for increased heat absorption.

Quality of the solar cover for pool: Look for the warranty offered for the covers. Good quality covers have a warranty against the damage due to exposure to sunlight. Though they may be slightly expensive, good covers are always an added advantage and an investment for the future. If they do not have warranty it is better not to buy the product.

Different types of solar covers: Covers usually last for many years. They are designed using UV stabilized polypropylene, polyethylene and vinyl to withstand damages. They look like the bubble wrappers but are thicker. Vinyl covers are heavier and considered to last long than other types of materials. You can also find insulated vinyl covers.

Cost: Solar pool covers can be purchased according to your budget. Since they come in different sizes, shapes and materials, you can choose a cover according to the features of your pool. You don’t have to get expensive covers but can go for slightly expensive ones that are automatically retractable.

Instead of investing in a pool heater it would be ideal to get a cover for your home garden swimming pool to keep it clean, safe from all the natural elements and at the same time use the solar energy to heat the water. The water will remain warm during the whole day and the heat will be retained during the night also. Using these covers is just a way to make your pool eco-friendly.

photo credit: Navin75

Take the Solar Pool Cover Quiz

Overview

Are you thinking about getting a solar pool cover for your above ground swimming pool? If so take a few moments to take this quiz about above ground pool solar covers to see if one might be right for you.

When should I use my solar pool cover?

1. I only need to use my cover when it’s cold out.
2. I only need to use it on cloudy days.
3. I should use it all the time.
4. I live in a warm climate and don’t have any use for pool solar covers.

Answer: 3 – use your cover all the time. Swimming pool solar covers help to reduce heating needs at all times, and also help to keep the pool cleaner by keeping debris out.

Why do I need a solar pool cover reel?

1. Reels help to keep your pool cover stored safely when not covering the pool.
2. Reels help you be able to manage a cover by yourself.
3. A solar pool cover reel extends the life of the cover.
4. All of the above.

Answer: 4 – all of the above. Pool covers should be stored safely so that they are less likely to be damaged when not in use, and can be awkward to manage with only one person. Safe storage helps to extend the life of the cover.

How can I store pool solar covers during the day?

1. Just pull the cover off and put it on the ground.
2. Use a solar pool cover reel to safely store it when not in use.
3. Place the cover in a solar saddle on the side of the pool while swimming.
4. Both 2 and 3.

Answer: 4 – Use a reel or a solar saddle to safely store the cover when you’re swimming in the pool.

How do swimming pool solar covers save me money?

1. My heating bill will be lower since the cover will heat the pool up to 10 degrees warmer.
2. I’ll need fewer pool chemicals to keep the pool clean if I use my solar cover for pool regularly.
3. Both 1 and 2.
4. None of the above.

Answer: 3 – Using a solar cover will lower your pool heating costs and keep the pool cleaner.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve taken this little quiz, you should have a good idea on the benefits of adding a solar cover for pool to above ground swimming pools. You know how swimming pool solar covers will save you money and the different ways of taking care of it. So take the next step and add one to your pool.

photo credit: jasminejennyjen