Do Solar Pool Covers Cause Algae
Solar pool covers do not cause algae to grow. It may be argued that as they increase the water temperature, and algae grow faster in warmer water, then algae growth can be accelerated by using a solar cover.
But the counter argument might be that algae grows best in full sunlight so as most solar pool covers, particularly the darker ones, reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the water so they can prevent algae growth.
In practice I think it makes little, or no, difference. At least I have never had algae growth in my pool since using one for the past 6 years.
Do Solar Pool Covers Really Work
Yes! Every time you lose water, through splashing or evaporation, you have to replace it. And new water takes energy to heat. Solar pool covers help retain the heat already in the water by reducing water evaporation. And they act as a magnifying glass to amplify the suns warming effect on your pool water.
Intex 29026e Solar Cover
Intex is a major manufacturer of pool equipment and weve had good luck with their products in the past. Unfortunately, their solar cover left a lot to be desired and it didnt do much to impress us. Its only available in one size to fit rectangular pools. If your pool isnt that specific size, then this cover probably wont do it for you. If youre lucky enough to have a pool that just happens to be these exact dimensions, then youll be happy that this cover is easy to take off or put on for a single person. We were also impressed with its ability to retain warmth in our pool.
Our real complaint with this solar cover is the short lifespan. Ours only lasted one season before it started falling apart. The material is pretty weak from the start, and if youre not careful, you could easily tear it when its new. Sticks and other debris can easily make holes in this cover. We prefer something with a bit more longevity and durability.
- Only one size, wont fit many pools
- Only lasts for one season
- Material is very easy to tear
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Robelle 352040r Super Winter Pool Cover
Best for Mild Winters
Robelle is one of the most reputable names in the industry, and their covers are a wise choice for anyone looking for the utmost in protection and reliability.
The Super cover is made from durable polyethylene that weighs in at nearly 2.4 ounces per yard squared. This cover has a lengthy 10-year warranty, so youll have peace of mind should your cover fail.
The top side of this cover is a vibrant blue color, while the underside is a dark black to inhibit algae growth. Attaching the cover to your pool is a breeze, and there are water bag loops every four feet to keep the cover secured, while steel grommets at each corner add another layer of security.
- Not as durable as Robelles more expensive covers
What Can I Do About It
There are some things you can do to slow the rate of deterioration and prolong the lifespan of your solar cover. They dont stop the breakdown from happening, but can delay the process.
- Purchase a pool cover with excellent UV protection built into it.
- When not in use, keep the cover out of the sun by placing it in a shelter or covering it with a protective cover.
- The bubble side of the cover is where the thinnest, most vulnerable material is. If its not possible to avoid sunlight, at least keep the bubble side protected. Either roll up or fold the cover so that the bubbles face inward.
- Keep the chlorine concentration in the pool at recommended levels. Using more chlorine than necessary is not good for your budget or the pool cover.
- Remove the solar pool cover when shocking the pool, or if too much chlorine has been accidentally added. Keep the cover off until chlorine levels fall back to normal.
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Dohenys Solar Pool Cover
The bubbles available on a solar pool cover plays an important role in retaining solar energy and trapping the heat. Thus, Dohenys solar pool cover is a decent pick on our list as it features microbubbles over its surface.
Dohenys Clear Tek Micro Bubble Solar Cover is a decent solution for in-ground pools varying up to 18 x 36 feet in size. As this is a 1600 series solar pool cover, it features nearly twice as many bubbles over its surface. Due to the microbubbles, the heat transfer rate is nearly double that of any standard solar cover. It is made up of blue plastic and backed by 3 years warranty period. You can also get 2400, 2400 supreme, and 3200 series solar covers from Dohenys.
As the majority of heat loss in swimming pools is caused by evaporation, the Dohenys Clear Tek Micro Bubble Solar Cover is specifically designed to prevent evaporation. Thus, you can effectively avoid up to 70% heat loss in your swimming pool. If you are worried about the size and fitting for your pool, fret not. The Dohenys Clear Tek Micro Bubble Solar Cover can be easily trimmed with scissors without voiding the warranty period.
Best Features
- Blue plastic solar pool cover
- 14 x 28 feet in size
- 1600 series solar pool cover
- Can be trimmed according to user preference
- 15 to 25% increase in energy absorption
- 3 years long warranty period
Pros
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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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How To Choose The Most Popular Best Solar Cover Pool
There are three most important factors to keep in mind while deciding on a product: pricing, quality, and popularity.One obvious consideration is price. You must make sure that the price matches your budget.To get the greatest product, you need to pay attention to the quality of the things you are purchasing.When it comes to acquiring new clients, popularity is just as important as pricing or quality, if not more so.
Intex 29022e Solar Cover Best For Above
Well-built yet dirt-cheap, the Intex solar cover is our top recommendation for above-ground pools. Its one of the cheapest solar covers weve seen, but that doesnt mean its not effective. With a 95% reduction in evaporation, this cover will help you keep your water levels full and will help save money on your water bill since you wont be losing any to the sun. Moreover, it helps retain heat within your pool, reducing the cost of keeping the water heated. Used correctly, you should see temperature increases of about 15 degrees when using this cover.
One of our favorite features of the Intex solar cover is the drain holes that prevent water accumulation. On covers without this feature, water can get onto the cover and weigh it down, causing it to sink into the pool. But that never happened to us with the Intex cover. However, it only fits round pools that are 12 feet wide and there arent any other size options. But if your above-ground pool falls within those bounds, then this is the cover we most highly recommend. Overall, we think this is the best solar cover for above ground pools we have reviewed this year.
- Only fits 12 wide round pools
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Solar Covers For Above Ground Pools
Our durable above-ground solar blankets can warm your above ground pool by up to 15°F and are made to give you maximum heating properties combined with long life. Solar blankets are loaded with thermal bubbles designed to retain heat at night and on cool cloudy days and allow the maximum amount of solar rays to reach you pool for optimal heating.
All of our blankets are U.V.-protected so they last under the most intense sunlight.
Cover Thickness And Color
Solar pool covers vary in thickness and it should be no surprise to hear that when it comes to the best pool solar cover thickness, the thicker it is the overall heat increase is likely to be higher. The lighter the color of the cover, or the clarity, will also result in more heat entering the pool .
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How Does A Solar Pool Cover Work
A pool cover works in three ways:
Obviously using the sun to heat a pool is very eco-friendly and can save you money if you use a pool heater.
How To Remove A Solar Cover From Your Inground Or Above Ground Pool
If you have a large pool, or if you swim often, removing the solar blanket every time you want to use your pool can be quite a chore. One solution is to cut the solar blanket into smaller panels so you can remove the pieces one at a time. If youd rather not cut the blanket up, a convenient alternative is a solar cover reel.
Good for both inground, above ground, and Intex pools, the solar reel is placed at one end of the pool. Youll attach one end of the solar blanket to the reel, and then turn the handle or wheel. The blanket will be spooled onto the solar reel, saving you a lot of hard work.
Some solar blanket reels are available with wheels, so you can roll up your cover and then move the solar reel aside. Others come with mounting hardware to install permanently in one location. Which version works best for you will depend mostly on how much space you have around your pool.
If you dont have a solar reel, you can pull the cover off and accordion fold it. Pull about four feet out, then fold that section in half. Continue pulling two-foot sections, folding each one back and forth like an accordion. This method also lets you rinse off each small section before folding, if needed.
Tip: If you remove the solar blanket temporarily, be sure to keep it covered or in the shade to prolong its life.
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Round Oval & Rectangular Solar Covers
Solar covers are basically a summer must-have as a cost-effective way to heat your pool and keep it warm while preventing water loss from evaporation. It even helps maintain the chemical balance of your pool water and keep out debris.To help you get the right solar cover for you and your pool, we offer a variety of different quality tiers at different price points. We also have covers available in different colors including the classic blue solar cover and clear. Youâll be able to find the right solar cover for you in the size you need in no time! To get the best solar cover for you and your pool, we recommend covers from Sun2Solar®. They create products to heat your pool without relying on fossil fuels and specialize in solar covers. Youâll be able to find a solar cover that fits your budget. All Sun2Solar® covers also include a warranty.For more help finding the right solar cover for you, check out our check out our Solar Cover Buyerâs Guide and FAQ.
Are Solar Pool Covers Worth It
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. Those in hot, dry locations will see some savings benefits by minimizing water replacement costs.
No matter where you live, a solar pool cover conserves energy, resources or both. In any case, conservation is good for the environment.
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Pool Solar Heat Cover Expert Tips
Here are a few tips from our expert staff at The Pool Factory.
Solar covers are not safety covers! Just another reminder to make sure you keep your above ground pool gated and locked or check out our safety pool ladders available for purchase at The Pool Factory.
Some customers prefer to purchase a pool solar heat cover that is slightly larger than their above ground pool size because the extra length and width can extend onto the pools top ledge, keeping any debris on the cover and easy to remove with a leaf skimmer. Solar covers fit exactly to the swimming pool size may allow for debris to drop to the bottom of the pool from the sides of the solar cover.
Direct sunlight on your swimming pool water will warm your above ground pool faster than if you had your solar heat cover on throughout the day. For best results, uncover your swimming pool while in direct sunlight and use the solar cover only at night and when your pool is out of the suns reach.
Purchase a solar cover reel! One of the disadvantages to owning a solar heat cover is dealing with its bulky size when putting it on and removing it from your pool. A solar cover reel can make this process much easier and less of a chore to ensure laziness doesnt set it when the time comes to get your pool solar heat cover on your swimming pool.
How Fast Does A Solar Pool Cover Heat A Pool
This obviously depends on many factors such as the weather , the air temperature, the wind, the cover thickness and color and even the depth of the pool. See the sections below.
Its ability to heat the pool up is as much a factor in retaining the heat overnight as it is heating the pool up during the day.
In good sunny weather you can see daily gains of as much as 1-2ºF.
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Sun2solar Solar Pool Cover
The performance of a solar pool cover is highly dependent on its build quality and heat-trapping ability. Hence, we are including a high-performance solar pool cover from Sun2Solar, which offers a 1200 series solar pool cover.
As a solar pool cover is kept in a swimming pool for the majority of time, you should also consider the design of the cover. If you are interested in a good looking cover, look no further. The Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover is one of the most attractive solar covers available on our picks as it is made up of thousands of tiny bubbles spread all over the blanket. It is a 4 x 8-foot solar pool cover which manages to retain heat and keep the pool warm at all times. After applying the cover, you will notice nearly 95% lesser water evaporation in the pool.
The Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover can also be attached to a dedicated roller to make it easier for application. Also, it can be easily trimmed according to your preference and the shape of the pool. Make sure you keep the bubble side towards the water while placing the solar pool cover. There is an 8 years long warranty available for the Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover, which is retained even after trimming the cover for your pool size.
Best Features
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Sun2solar Rectangle Solar Cover Best For In
This rectangular solar cover from Sun2Solar was our favorite choice for in-ground swimming pools. Its available in many different sizes, so you should have no trouble finding the perfect fit for your pool. You also get a choice between a blue or white cover, depending on what you think looks better. Similar to other solar covers, this one reduces evaporation up to 95% while helping your pool water retain heat. Its one of the most effective covers weve seen when it comes to heat retention. After a day in the sun, we noticed a 10-degree change in water temperature. After two days of sun-heating, we saw just under 15 degrees of added warmth in our pool water with no heater needed.
While we really liked the performance of the Sun2Solar solar cover, we werent thrilled with the price. This is one of the most expensive solar pool covers that weve seen. That said, it worked so well that we think its worth shelling out the extra cash for its solid performance. When you need a reliable solar cover for your in-ground pool, this is the one we suggest. For these reasons, weve named this as the best solar pool cover for inground pools available this year.
- Plastic bubbles started falling into the pool
- Warranty doesnt cover damage from chemicals
- More expensive than other options
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