How Long Can You Run Pool Heater With Solar Cover On
It is important to know how long you can your pool pump with the solar cover on. You need to run the pump for the time it needs to filter the water at once. Maximum pool pumps take 8 hours to filter the water in one day.
To know the run time of the pump, you have to know:Flow rateYou have to know your swimming pool pumps flow rate, and you will get in the specification label. The rate will come in GPM, which means gallons per minute.
Water volumeTo find out the water volume of the odd or oval shape pool is quite tricky. To figure out the Square shaped pool water depth is easy as you have to multiply the width and length and then the depth. You will find a figure in cubic feet, multiply it with 7.5 to find the GPM.
Running the Pump at Night
In a perfect world, you would be able to run your pump 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This would be a great situation and your pool would always be clean. However, most people wouldnt be able to afford the electric bill that would rack up.
One downside of running the pump at night is that the water is then not getting cleaned during the day. If you only run the pump overnight, dirt and debris could build-up while the pool is at peak use. This is a problem during the summer months when everyone is swimming a lot.
Running the Pump During the Day
When You Can You Run Pool Pump With Solar Cover On
First, you have to know when you need the pump to run for a long time. If you are new in this situation, then mark out the times given below:
Absorb And Retain Heat
The main purpose of the cover is to keep your pool warmer by absorbing and retaining heat, as mentioned earlier. It absorbs the suns heat to transfer into the pool water to make it warm. Also, it prevents heat loss you get from the pool heater. By absorbing and retaining, it delivers comfortable and warm water.
Liquid Solar Cover: The Future Is Now
Is it really possible that you could pour something into your pool water that magically warms it up? Yup. Thats basically how liquid solar cover works. Except its not magic its more science!
Liquid solar cover contains aliphatic alcohols, which form a monolayer film on the surface of the water, thereby requiring upwardly escaping water molecules to expend energy in forcing adjacent molecular chains sufficiently apart to pass between them
In plain English? A one-molecule-thick layer of fatty alcohol sits on the surface of the water, inhibiting the waters ability to evaporate normally. Preventing evaporation prevents heat loss, and voilà! Your pool stays warmer than if you had no solar cover at all.
Liquid solar cover ranges in price from about $10 to about $30 or more, depending on brand and whether you buy a single container or a pack of multiple containers.
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How To Use Solar Rings: Theyre Not Just For Looks
Unlike the solar blankets air-filled bubbles, solar rings are flat and must be inflated before you place them on the water. Youll inflate the inner portion only slightly, and the outer portion until its firm, the way youd blow up a balloon. Then simply place them on the water and let them do their job.
Some solar sun rings have magnets around the circumference of the outer portion. This not only helps the rings stay connected to each other, thereby reducing gaps, it also keeps them from overlapping and leaving even more water exposed.
Its important to note that neither solar sun rings nor squares will cover every inch of your pool water. There will be gaps, even when theyre connected by their magnets. Its for this reason that solar rings and squares are not as effective as a solar blanket at either heating your pool water or preventing evaporation.
Tip: You can continue to run your pump while solar rings are on the pool.
How Does A Pool Pump Work
In general, pool pumps are centrifugal pumps. This means that they use centrifugal force to make water move through the system. This happens through an inlet and outlet where the water is brought in and expelled out into the pool.
Once the water is in the filtration system, it is run through a series of smaller and smaller filters. These filters will catch any debris or dirt that may have made its way into the pool. By the time it comes out the other end, it is completely clean.
Obviously, the more you use your pool, the more you are going to have to run the pump. This means that you are going to have to clean the filters quite often. By doing this, you can avoid clogs and potential expensive equipment failure.
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Why You Can Run Your Pump With The Solar Cover On
As seen, a pool pump works independently of a solar cover. It helps to push the water via the circulation systems such as the filter. The solar cover helps to warm the water, prevent evaporation, and prevent debris from falling into your pool.
The solar cover, when fixed the right way on the pool, has no significant impact on the pump. Besides, the purpose of running your pool pump with either the solar cover on or off is to circulate the water.
And with the solar cover on, it is only the top 2-foot of the pools water that gets warmed. The other part of your pool remains cool.
Therefore, running the pump when the cover is on helps to ensure that the warm water gets mixed with the cooler one. It is, thus, a benefit to run the pump when the solar pool cover is on.
Can You Run Pool Pump With Solar Cover On
Can you run pool pump with solar cover on? It is a common question that most new pool owners ask or those people who have installed a solar pool cover for the first time.
The answer to this question is a simple YES, but there are a couple of things that you should know to understand why the pool pump will run effectively with the solar cover on.
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Can You Power Your Swimming Pool With Solar
Posted by Brendon O’Neill04/10/2021
Owning a backyard pool is an Aussie dream, albeit an expensive one. Installation and purchase costs aside, a typical in-ground pool can account for 17% of a homes electricity usage, potentially adding $660 to $1,000 annually to a households power bill.
So, how can you reduce your pools electricity usage, and can solar power help save on running costs? This article discusses ways to save on swimming pool running costs with solar.
What Is A Solar Cover
A solar cover is a large, thermal blanket that covers the length and width of your pool. These blankets are usually made of plastic and look like huge sheets of bubble wrap. However, the material they are made of is specifically designed to trap heat and keep it in the water.
Solar covers float on the surface of the pool and dont require any fasteners or tie downs. During the day, they absorb the suns rays and transfer that heat to the pool. They also help prevent water evaporation which is a huge source of heat loss for swimming pools.
Since the cover is not fastened to anything, it can be difficult to put on and take off. Because of this, there are special reels designed to help you wrap them up. It is very important to remember that you should never swim in the pool with the solar cover on.
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Should I Keep A Solar Cover On My Pool When Using A Heat Pump
- FAQs
- Should I keep a solar cover on my pool when using a heat pump?
Absolutely ! It is almost compulsory to use a solar cover when using a heat pump to heat your pool.
A solar cover provides several benefits:-
- It can heat the pool on its own by up to 8 degrees C
- It reduces water evaporation by 98%
- It acts as an insulation layer and greatly reduces heat loss
- It reduces pool chemical consumption by up to 30%
- It prevents leaves etc from entering the pool
- It saves you money by reducing your heating costs
- Reducing your heating costs will also reduce your carbon footprint
Not using a solar cover is like not insulating the loft in your house. As your heat pump puts heat into the pool, it will be lost into the air when a solar cover is not used.
An uncovered pool will lose about 2-3 times more heat than a covered pool.
Covering the pool is particularly important at night as the air temperature will drop causing a temperature difference between the pool water and the air.
The temperature difference will cause your pool to lose heat at a greater rate than during the day.
We recommend that you keep a solar cover on the pool at all times when the pool is not in use.
The solar cover will work in conjunction with your heat pump to make an efficient combination for heating your pool and minimising energy requirements.
We sell good quality solar covers and rollers
Can You Run A Pool Pump With The Solar Cover On
Pool pumps are a lifesaver during the summer when you need to keep your pool pristine, even when you have a solar cover on. You can run a pool pump with a solar cover on, and its ideal to for at least 5 hours a day. Whether you run it for 5 or 12 hours, lets take a look at why you should run your pool pump with a solar cover on.
A solar cover is a great addition to your heated or non-heated pool. If your pool has a heater, you will have to retain all the heat you can. If it is heated, saving heat with a solar cover is a great way to save money.
There are many things to consider when you are a pool owner. Perhaps most importantly, your pools pump runs the filtration system and keeps all of the water circulating. It is invaluable for keeping your water clean and suitable for swimming.
It is perfectly safe to run the pump while the solar cover is on the pool. It is recommended that you run the pump 5-12 hours a day depending on the weather. With the solar cover on, you can conserve heat while the water circulates.
In this article, we will cover many aspects of solar covers and pumps. By running the pump with the cover on, you can save time and money on pool maintenance.
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Not Keeping Track Of Water Level
The water level of your pool may not seem like a huge deal, but it actually has a major effect on various parts of your pool system.
For the best results, strive to keep your water at mid-skimmer level. This is important for a few reasons:
If your water level is above the mid-skimmer level, then the skimmer cant do its job properly. A skimmer is designed to open and close, pulling in whatever surface debris comes near it, then closing to contain it all. But if the skimmer is constantly open and not allowed to close, then theres no way for it to keep anything in.
On the other hand, if your water level is below the skimmer, then restoring it should be your top priority.
Why?
Because when this happens, the skimmer doesnt draw in enough water, and instead, pulls in air. This extra air causes pressure issues for the pool system and puts a strain on the pool pump. When a pool pump doesnt have enough water, it loses its prime and begins running hot. Eventually, the pump overheats, which not only damages the pump and reduces its lifespan, but also stops circulation and all of your other pool equipment dead in their tracks.
When a pool pump doesnt have enough water, it loses its prime and begins running hot. Eventually, the motor overheats, which not only damages and reduces the pool pumps lifespan, but also stops circulation and all of your other pool equipment dead in their tracks.
Can You Run A Pool Pump With Solar Cover On Explained In Laymans Term
If youre not using your swimming pool much in the colder months, adding a solar cover to it will help you to maintain the temperature of the water, whether thats for heating or cooling.
When using your pool pump while covered with that solar cover, there wont be any changes in temperature since heating and cooling are essentially what solar covers are meant for.
So, Can You Run A Pool Pump With Solar Cover On top of the water?
You can do it without any concerns. Solar covers mainly keep the temperatures stable, and when there is a pool pump running with them on top of the water, they will not cause any differentiation in temperature either, so its perfectly safe to use a solar cover over a covered pool.
In this article, we will talk about some advantages and features of going for a solar cover, while some disadvantages will be shared as well.
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How Do You Maintain A Pool Cover
While solar covers are meant to last for years, they require maintenance just like every other component of your pool. One of the most important things you can do to protect your investment is to keep it clean on a regular basis. We have highlighted some ways using which you can maintain your pool cover:
- Regular Cleaning: Cleaning the cover regularly will allow constant exposure of as much as possible as well as ensuring optimal exposure to as many people as possible.
- Removing dirt and debris: Cleaning the safety cover itself may be done in several ways, but some minimally invasive options include gently brushing off debris sticking to the surface with a pool brush or whisk broom
- Leaving it open after adding chemicals: Its best to leave the cover open after adding chemicals. For at least two hours after youve treated your pool, leave the cover open so that any gases created by the treatment can escape. Make sure no children are swimming in your swimming pool while you leave it this way for their safety!
- Professional Servicing: Professionals in your area and in your industry will often provide a variety of services to help keep your system running smoothly. Have them take a look at your pool system every once a year.
Are you looking for the Best Solar Cover? You should check this Swim 20 x 40 Foot Rectangle Basic Pool Solar Cover
Not Removing Algae Correctly
Since this is such a hot topic in the world of pool ownership, were just going to go ahead and break this up into DOs and DONTs
- Treat your pool with the appropriate amount of hypochlorite pool shock
- Evenly distribute the shock across the pool
- Run your filter for at least 24 hours after treatment
- Set your filter to Waste if using a manual vacuum
DONT
- Use an automatic pool cleaner for algae removal
- Forget to run your filter after
- Stop your filter, or the treatment before water clarity has been restored
Want to learn more about preventing and removing pool algae? Check out these posts:
Best Ways To Prevent Pool Algae
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You Can Remove Liquid Solar Cover But Why
Although we cant think of any reason why youd want to, the only way to remove liquid solar cover from your pool water would be to drain the pool and refill it, and no one wants to do that if it can be avoided.
The thing is, if you decided to stop using liquid solar cover for any reason, all you have to do is wait a while. The chemical naturally dissipates over a certain period of time, depending on how large your pool is and how much liquid solar cover you have to use.
For this reason, for as long as you want to use it, liquid solar cover must be added to your pool on a regular basis, so be sure to add it to your swimming pool maintenance schedule.
How Do I Remove My Solar Cover
Ideally, if you have a solar blanket, you will have a reel to keep it wrapped up nicely when not in use however, not everyone wants to spend the extra money. I get it!
If you dont have a reel, its best to have someone help you.
You will each stand on opposite sides of the cover and fold it over in sections like an accordion until it can be stacked at the other end of the pool.
With one person, its a little trickier, but it is possible.
You can do the same thing from the outside of the pool, but with one person, it might start to pull to your side and you will have to go back and forth across the pool to straighten it out.
If possible, for a one-person removal, get into the pool and fold from the center end of the cover.
Thicker covers are much harder to fold and may have to be pulled straight off, which is also easier with two people.
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