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 and water and lightly scrub any stubborn areas with the solution and a soft brush. Rinse the entire cover with the garden hose. Allow it to dry thoroughly before storing. Always avoid the use of harsh chemicals to clean the cover.
What Size And Shape Do You Need
For a solar pool cover to be completely effective, it has to cover your entire pool. If there are gaps, thats where water and heat will escape.
Before buying a solar pool cover, measure your pool and invest in a cover thats a little larger than the size of your pool. Leaving a few inches either side helps you to tuck in the cover or secure it in place so it wont blow away as soon as the wind picks up.
You also dont want a round cover for a square pool, rectangular pool or oval pool, and vice versa. Most solar pool covers come in two shapes, circular and rectangular. This ensures they fit the majority of swimming pools.
But if youve got a weirdly shaped pool, thats also fine. Just find a cover that will reach across the widest and longest points of your pool, mark the lines, and use a pair of sharp scissors to trim it down to the right size and shape.
Other Notable Solar Pool Covers Researched
- Pool Supply World Velox Silver Solar Cover – When testing for compatibility with all above ground pools, the Intex solar cover clearly bested the Velox.
- Summer Waves Adjustable Round Solar Pool Cover – I found that some people are not too fond of the ease of installation with the Summer Waves cover.
- Dohenys Micro-Bubble Solar Cover – When testing for price, it seems to me that the micro bubble just doesn’t give you the right value for the price you will be paying.
- Spa Depot Thermo-Float Spa Blanket – When testing for durability, the Midwest Canvas cover just cannot be beat, another downside for this one is that it will come with wrinkles due to the packaging technique.
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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.
| Thin covers | |
| heavier so harder to cover and uncover the pool | |
| do not last so long | more expensive |
The normal range of solar cover thicknesses runs from 8 mils to 16 mils. In case you are not aware a mil is one-thousandth of an 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.
You really get what you pay for when it comes to solar blankets. Buying cheap can be a false economy.
One of the most popular brands of solar pool covers is Sun2Solar. They produce them in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Sun2Solar Ovalfrom 10ft x 15ft to 21ft x 41ft
Intex Solar Cover For 12ft Diameter Easy Set And Frame Pools
If you have an Intex pool, its continually quality to get Intex accessories. This best Intex solar pool cover suits 12ft Easy Set and steel body Intex pools. The best solar pool cover is a terrific preference for any Intex handy set and steel body pool proprietor searching for a lower-priced and handy way to maintain the pool warm.
This best solar pool cover is a low-cost way to heat your Intex Easy Set or metallic body swimming pool. Its inexpensive to buy, and it doesnt value whatever to run. On a sunny day, the Intex cover warms the water with the aid of the usage of about 5 degrees. Leave it on for numerous days, and the temperature techniques one hundred. It additionally prevents warmness loss at night, reduces evaporation, and maintains particles out of the pool.
- Reduces warmth loss and 95% of evaporation
- Holes enable water to drain from the cover
- Warms the pool on sunny days
- Come with a storage bag
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Liquid Solar Cover Benefits
Just like any other chemical, you add to your pool water, liquid solar cover is completely safe for people and pets. It wont irritate your skin , and it doesnt leave any residue on you or your swimsuit.
Note: While its not a good idea for your pet to drink pool water on a regular basis, liquid solar cover is safe for the occasional sip or two your dog might decide to take when youre not looking. Always check the safety notes for the brand you choose before using it, and before letting your pets into the pool.
Reduce Water Evaporation
You can cut water evaporation by about 15 percent with a liquid solar cover. Does it really work? Absolutely. We even tested it.
Heat Retention and Lower Heating Costs
Liquid solar covers are about 75 percent as effective as solar blankets at retaining heat. But remember, it works constantly without your having to remember to cover the pool at night.
This may be a tradeoff for never having to reel in, clean, and store liquid solar cover, though.
Keep Bugs and Debris Out
Well, heres one area where solar blankets and rings are the clear winner. Of course, liquid solar cover isnt going to keep bugs, leaves, and other debris out of your pool.
If you opt to use this heating method, youll have to stay on top of things with your handheld skimmer and vacuum.
Lower Chemical Costs
Nope, were actually adding a chemical cost with this one. But its an affordable one that offers a good return on that investment.
How To Choose The Best Cover For Your Pool
Solar pool covers are a great idea for pools that do not have an automatic cover installed. Although these pools do need to have a cover over them in the winter months and even in the fall and summer, an automatic cover is just too much of a hassle to install and operate. Plus, with so many automatic pool covers on the market, it is hard to find one that meets your exact pool needs. However, if you decide that a solar pool cover is the right option for you, then here are a few tips to help you make sure you purchase a quality one. When buying a solar
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Mesh Pool Safety Covers
There are 3 types of covers that are considered safety covers mesh, solid and hybrid. A safety cover adds a layer of safety by preventing anyone or anything getting into your pool during the off-season. In addition, it’s designed to keep your pool water clean, protect pool hardware, prevent algae growth and set your pool up for easy pool opening in the spring. An inground pool cover ensures the safety of your pool by fastening to your pool deck typically with stainless steel hardware that resists damage from the elements.
Mesh Inground Pool Safety Cover
The Happybuy Pool Safety Cover is prefabricated to fit a variety of inground pool sizes. The soft yet tough material is durable, resistant to high temperatures and will prevent everything from leaves to rain and snow from ending up in your pool. The size of the cover should exceed the size of the pool to allow for fastening to the pool deck. These covers come with installation hardware and tools to allow for drilling into just about any type of pool deck. The tight mesh membrane will prevent water evaporation, protect pool equipment and keep children and pets out.
Mesh Inground Pool Cover Installation
My Experience Of Using A Solar Cover
We live in the Canary Islands, which are off the coast of north Africa, so the climate here is pretty warm generally. We have solar heating panels on the roof which obviously heats the water up quite well, but without a solar cover, much of that heat is lost overnight.
We are not masochists, and dont want to die of shock when we get in the pool, so we want the temperature to be at least 82ºF/28ºC before we put a toe in.
Before we bought the solar cover we usually managed to swim comfortably from mid-April until mid-October. With the solar cover we are often in the pool by early March and swim until mid-November at least..
My pool normally loses 1.5-2ºF overnight without the cover on but hardly loses anything overnight when it is on.
In the summer, on a sunny day , without our solar heating on, I often see an increase of 2-3ºF during the day when I have the solar cover on.
Interestingly, we had a power outage for just over 24 hours last summer and I had the pool cover on. My wife and I wanted to swim late afternoon so I rolled the cover back and in we went. The water temperature in the top foot was much higher than the water below by at least 10ºF. Of course the pool pump had not been running so the water had been undisturbed which is why this was so noticeable.
As an aside, it was amazing how the warmer water had such a defined edge to the cooler water below. It was not a gradual transition from hot to cool as I would have expected but a sudden change.
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How Do Solar Pool Covers Work
It may be surprising for you to imagine that a polymer sheet will be able to retain heat. But covers can retain heat by preventing water evaporation and preventing direct contact between the wind and pool water.
Water evaporation is one of the significant factors as to why the swimming pool water cools down. Because as the water temperature rises, the pool water also releases energy by evaporation to the cold air. Youve probably noticed this when your swimming pool forms steam or water vapor above the pool surface.
Also, If you have no cover for your pool, the wind that blows across it will cool down the water at a faster rate. So if you live in a place where the winds are strong, then aside from a cover, it is best to install a windbreaker.
Another reason why solar pool covers retain heat effectively is that it acts as a layer between the water and the air around it. In heat exchange, having an extra layer between two bodies slows down the rate of heat transfer. You can compare this to a blanket that warms you up during a cold night. This is the reason why pool covers are also called solar blankets.
Solar Pool Covers 19 Things To Know Before You Buy
Are you thinking of buying a solar cover for your pool? Solar pool covers, also known as solar pool blankets, involve quite a large investment so it is important to ensure that the expenditure will be worth it for you.
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 if you do not heat the pool and reduce the amount of money you spend on chemicals.
To help you decide whether to buy a solar pool cover for your in-ground or above-ground pool I try to answer all of the questions you may have so you can make an informed decision.
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Doheny’s Lowest Price Guarantee
Shop with confidence at Doheny’s.
Our volume discounts guarantee the absolute lowest prices on all of our products: swimming pool supplies, chemicals, equipment and more. To prove it, if you find a lower total delivered price by a licensed and authorized pool supply catalog or website , we will refund you the difference. We will even guarantee our Low Price for 30 days after your purchase. Simply contact our Customer Care Team at: or call us at 1-800-574-7665 to report the lower price. After verification, the difference will be promptly refunded. Doheny’s is not responsible for inadvertent price or text misprints or errors. Some restrictions apply – call for details.
What Do I Do
The climate is great here in the Canary Islands, with the lowest temperatures rarely dropping below 50ºF at night and 68ºF during the day in winter. But there is insufficient sunshine to keep the pool at a temperature that we are prepared to swim in , even with our solar heating and the solar cover.
So from around mid-November until late February or early March, I take the cover off and store it. See the next section for tips on storing.
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Types Of Inground Pool Covers
There are 4 main types of inground pool covers and each has their own specific purpose when it comes to providing a protective covering. It’s also common for pool owners to use more than one type of cover throughout the season as needs change. A solar cover is great during the swimming season when you want to quickly place and remove the cover during but isn’t practical for the winter time where a winter cover provides a semi-permanent barrier that keeps just about anything while providing an added layer to your overall pool safety.
How To Use Your Product Correctly
Using your solar pool cover is as easy as laying it over the water of your swimming pool. However, there are a few things that bear keeping in mind.
Firstly, your pool cover should fit the inside of your swimming pool perfectly. This is easily achieved by laying it over the swimming pool surface and then carefully cutting off any extra pieces, ensuring a perfect fit. If your cover is too large or hangs over the sides, it does not effectively trap in the heat nor heat your pool properly.
Furthermore, the cover can be used anytime you are not swimming. This means you should always cover the pool at night because this is the time when most heat escapes.
All that is left now is to choose the product of your choice. To make things easier for you, our team have compiles some reviews of the best solar pool covers to ensure you make the perfect choice for you and your familyand, of course, your pool.
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What Are The Best Solar Pool Cover Brands
The most popular solar cover brands are Sun2Solar, Intex and Blue Wave. These companies regularly release durable, cost-effective options for in- and above-ground pools.
For Intex and Blue Wave, we recommend opting for a heavier cover, since both brands offer covers ranging from 8 mil to 16 mil. Most customers find the 14 and 16 mil covers more reliable, since they aren’t as easily blown off by strong winds or subject to heat loss.
How Do You Install A Solar Pool Cover
Installing a new solar pool cover is not incredibly difficult, but there are a couple of steps you want to make sure you dont miss. First, simply remove the cover from the box it came in and lay it next to your swimming pool. Carefully unfold it, as to not create any rips or tears, and then gently spread it over your pools surface with the bubble side down . Our team suggests leaving it out in the sun for a couple of hours if possible to give the cover time to decompress.
If you have a solar reel, this can usually be done with one person, otherwise, we suggest having a family member or friend help with this process. The next step is to cut the solar pool cover to fit your pool size & shape if needed, you want it to be a fairly tight fit, with a tiny bit of excess so no coverage gaps exist that would allow heat to escape. Check out our Full Guide on How To Install Solar Pool Covers for more details.
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What Are The Advantages Of Using A Solar Pool Cover
- An estimated 75% of a pools heat loss is as a result of evaporation. A solar pool cover keeps the heat in, extending the period during which you can use your pool.
- Because you do not need to heat your pool as frequently as before, you can save up to 70% of your normal pool heating costs.
- These covers are easily trimmed to fit any shape of pool.
- Solar covers are value for money as they are relatively cheap while saving you on heating costs in the long run.
- Although these covers may slowly deteriorate over time, they do last for quite a long period, making them well worth the effort due to your savings on water, power, and chemicals.
Are Solar Pool Covers Dangerous
Pools in general have an inherent danger, so you need to be aware of the risks associated with owning a pool.
Solar pool covers, like other soft pool covers, add an additional risk factor to your pool that all pool owners need to be aware of.
On their own, soft pool covers and solar pool covers are not dangerous.
However, when they are sitting on top of the water surface they can pose an additional risk, should pets or children, or even adults, walk on to the pool cover.
Soft pool covers can collapse around a person, pet or animal, and make swimming more difficult. Soft pool covers increase the risk of drowning in a pool.
The safety of soft covers can be increased by supporting them with a frame. You can easily make a frame using PVC pipe, or purchase a frame from your cover manufacturer.
These frames will reduce the space that can sink in, should a child, pet or adult accidentally fall on top of a soft cover.
This can reduce the drowning risk, but it does not eliminate the risk completely. You still need to closely monitor activities around your pool to ensure everyone is safe.
As a pool owner, you need to make sure that when you arent using your pool that visitors, kids and pets are well supervised.
This is the case even if your pool isnt covered. Being diligent is a must if you have a pool in your yard.
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