How Much Money Can You Save On Water Loss
One of the main benefits of owning a pool blanket is that they prevent evaporation from your pool. Water loss and additional water costs can quickly become expensive for pool owners, but exactly how expensive?
Well, for example, a swimming pool can lose almost 100 litres per day due to water evaporation! This water loss means youll have to constantly top it up, add chemicals more regularly, and can be costly too. We had a look at the different water rates in South East Queensland and did some conservative estimates on how much water loss might cost you per year.
Solar Pool Covers: Frequently Asked Questions
Solar pool covers, also often referred to as solar pool blankets, are a purpose designed pool covering used to maintain warm pool water temperatures. Pool blankets are a highly efficient means of heating your pool, with both environmental and economic benefits. Here at Solartech, only use and recommend Daisy pool blankets and rollers, as we trust their effectiveness and quality.
If you have specific solar pool heating questions, our friendly team is available to assist you in choosing the right solar pool heating solution for your pool. Additionally, the following is an outline of some common queries we hear customers ask when considering solar pool covers.
Do solar pool covers really work?
Solar pool covers are designed to transfer heat from the sun using small magnifying bubbles that provide solar heat to the pool water. Pool blankets also provide a lining over the water to prevent heat from escaping. By covering the water, evaporation is minimised which helps the water to retain its heat. Solar pool covers do really work, and can even be combined with solar pool heaters for even better results.
Additionally, installing a Solar blanket will also help to minimise the loss of cleaning chemicals through evaporation, as well as keep the water clean and free from bugs, leaves and debris.
Do solar pool covers go bubbles up or down?
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How Do You Keep A Solar Pool Cover From Blowing Off
A well-fitted solar pool cover that does not have its edges ascending over the pools edges should not blow off in the wind. This is because the wind usually pushes the cover down, keeping it in place. An incorrectly fitted solar pool cover will allow wind to blow under it, thereby lifting the cover from the pool.
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Can You Use The Solar Pool Cover In The Winter
When the weather is warm and sunny, you may witness a slight increase in the pool water temperature when you remove the cover during the day. However, this could only work if you took it off for just the hottest hours of the day.
Once the sun starts to go lower, you may not find it effective since the heat starts to lose due to evaporation. Thus, remember to never leave your solar pool cover on your pool after swimming or in winter in general. They are not cold-resistant and, therefore, may end up being severely damaged.
Should The Bubbles Be Facing Up Or Facing Down
When you are installing your solar pool cover, you will notice bubbles on the surface.
On other pool covers that are not solar, you may not have thought twice about the bubbles, but the way that the face on a solar pool cover does affect how it works.
You should install the solar pool cover so that the bubbles are facing down.
The main reason for having the bubbles facing down is due to the suns rays heating the air inside the bubbles, so having them facing down helps to heat the water in your pool.
This means that the water in your pool will be heated and you wont have to worry about re-heating it before getting in the water.
The cover traps the heat in your pool and the downward-facing bubbles are part of the reason why your pool will remain heated, even on colder days.
Therefore, having the bubbles facing down is much more beneficial as it allows you to not have to think twice about jumping into your pool and worrying about cold water inside.
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Take Care Of Your Solar Pool Cover
Having the bubbles face down helps your pool cover last longer, so it is important to make sure that the bubbles are facing down to protect the material.
The heat will have nowhere to be stored when the bubbles are facing up, so the sun may end up damaging the material and causing it to become thin in some areas.
When you are not using the pool cover, make sure that you store it correctly. Store the solar pool cover in a shaded area like a shed or garage to keep it in good condition.
Leaving the pool cover out may not seem like a problem, but it can burn and become weaker when it is not transferring the heat to water.
Can Pool Chemicals Damage My Pool Blanket
Yes, its possible. Chlorine can have an impact on your pool blanket if levels of the chemical are higher than recommended.
This can happen if, for example, you have had an algae outbreak and are flushing your pool with additional chemicals.
Also, keep in mind that having a pool blanket means that you wont need to use as much chemicals in your pool. So its a good idea to adjust your chemical levels to ensure you do not have too much chemicals in your pool.
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Does A Pool Warm Up Faster With The Cover On Or Off
On a hot, windless day it may be that the pool water will heat up quicker with the pool cover off as more of the suns energy will reach the water.
However, the pool cover also helps stop heat loss and evaporation, and this loss happens quicker in windy conditions, so it may heat up quicker with the cover on.
In my experience it makes very little difference so leaving it on is rather easier than having to keep putting the cover on and taking it off.
Can I Swim With A Pool Cover On
No. This can be really dangerous. Depending on the pool cover, there might not be a way for air to get under the tarp if someone pops their head up. I remember hiding in a pool during a hide-n-seek game as a kid and popping up my head under the top only to find that there was no air!
I had to swim quickly to the steps, and Im lucky I didnt get disoriented or pass out on the way. Never swim with the cover on!
Youll see a lot of information on the internet that says that the pool cover makes your pool safer by deterring children and pets from swimming. But know that the pool cover doesnt prevent kids and dogs from getting in the pool! Use a proper pool fence or enclosure to prevent accidents.
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About The Solar Cover
They can also reduce the loss of water due to evaporation.
Although they cover the surface of a pool, solar covers are not safety covers and cannot keep windblown debris out of a pool. Like other covers, solar covers must be removed before swimmers can use the water.
In warmer, sunny climates, a solar cover can extend the swimming season. Unlike other covers that are strapped down and anchored in place, solar covers float freely on the surface of the pool. Owners can easily remove and store the cover by folding it up or rolling it onto a reel.
Solar Pool Cover Bubbles Up Or Down
To begin with, a solar pool cover is not just a great way to keep away debris and dirt out of the pool but also essential to heat the pool water. A solar pool cover absorbs the heat from direct sunlight, transferring the same into the pool water to keep it warm.
However, depending on the location you live in, a solar pool rings or solar pool cover may or may not keep the water as warm as an electrical solar pool heater, although it should most definitely save you those extra bucks.
To elaborate, these covers also work like a magnifying lens to amplify the suns direct rays. Although not every kind of solar cover functions the same way, the key is to get the right cover best suited for the swimming pool.
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Light Blue Pool Solar Covers
Light blue pool solar covers do a better job at trapping heat in the pool. As well as blocking UV rays more effectively, which conserves pool water chemicals.
However, light blue solar covers can block much of the heat trying to enter your pool. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, opaque pool solar covers block nearly 2x the amount of pool warming light energy, compared to transparent covers.
How Should I Store My Solar Cover
Some people invest in what is known as a solar reel. This reel sits at the base of your pool and you use a lever to roll up your one-piece cover. They come in different types of materials with the heavy duty material costing more. Either way they are not cheap and could run you more than the cost of your solar cover. People scoff at the eyesore the reel can bring, while others rant about the ease of removal and application. To each his own.
When storing away your cover for good, make sure to properly rinse both sides of the cover with fresh water. They sell solar cover plastic bags for the solid piece covers. All you really need is a clean, airtight, container to put your cover in. See you poolside!
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What Are The Benefits Of Using A Solar Cover For My Swimming Pool
There are lots of benefits of using a solar cover! Lets look at a few of the biggest ones.
- Its a cost-effective way to heat your pool and retain the heat longer. Youre not paying for any additional utility expenses.
- Its environmentally friendly. The sun is a powerful renewable resource!
- Keeps bugs and debris out. In addition to heating your pool, itll also help keep unwanted pests and debris out when the pool isnt in use.
- Fewer chemicals. Because its keeping dirt and debris out of your pool, youll need fewer chemicals and cleaning to keep the water sanitary and balanced. Thatll save you money and time!
- Reduces water evaporation. The cover helps keep water from escaping your pool, so youll have to do less filling throughout the summer and use less water overall.
Can I Repair My Pool Blanket
Depending on the kind of damage done to your pool blanket and the type of blanket you have, you may be able to repair it.
Generally, edges are fixable, whereas holes and tears are difficultsometimes impossible to repair. And some pool blankets are easier to fix than others. For example, polyethylene covers are difficult to repair, as standard repair kits dont stick to the material well enough to repair the cover.
If you have damaged your pool blanket or solar pool cover, the best thing to do is contact your local pool company. If youre not sure whom to contact in your area, contact us at Eco Solar Pool Heating. Keep in mind that depending on the damage, it may be easier to purchase a new pool blanket.
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What Are The Benefits Of Solar Pool Covers
Pool covers are designed with inexpensive clear plastic that resembles a packaging bubble wrap. These covers are made of polypropylene or vinyl, a unique material that absorbs heat energy. Its also made of air bubbles that work as insulation.
Heres a breakdown of the role of pool covers in pools
- Minimize Chlorine Use: A pool cover minimizes the exposure of UV rays in the pool. Its a significant advantage that reduces the degradation of pool chemicals, e.g., chlorine. Youll therefore use less chlorine and maintenance costs.
- Limits Evaporation: Pool covers minimize the direct impact sunlight has on pools. The pool effectively loses less water which means optimum water levels.
- Convert Solar Radiation into Re-usable Heat: An inground pool cover can increase pool water by 5°F within 12 hours. Converting solar radiation into re-usable heat is crucial at night when the air is cooler than in the swimming pool.
How Do I Keep My Solar Cover From Sinking
Tips on How to Keep Pool Cover from Sagging
Do solar cover bubbles go up or down?
Useful Tips for your Solar Blanket Pool Cover Bubble side goes down! There is more of the cover that will touch the water and the surface tension helps hold the cover on the water.
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Solar Cover Bubbles Up Or Down
Believe it or not the question of do the bubbles go up or down on a solar cover is one of the most frequently asked questions on the many pool forums. It is a good question as it is not really obvious.
However, the answer to whether you have solar cover bubbles up or down is always bubbles down into the water.
The bubbles side has a larger surface area than the flat side so heat is transferred into the water more efficiently than if the pool blanket was the other way around.
The bubbles contain air and this is heated up by the sun and the heat is then transferred by the process of conduction. The flat side is the tough side whereas the bubble side is generally the least tough side. So having the bubbles facing down on the pools surface means they are protected from anything which may drop in the pool.
The smooth side therefore faces upwards. The additional advantage of it being smooth is that it makes it easier to clean. You can run the hose over it before you remove it from the 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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How To Use A Pool Cover
If you use your pool during the daytime, take off the cover just before swimming and replace the cover as soon as you’re done using the pool.
If you use your pool only at night, the effectiveness of a pool cover will depend on whether the evaporation and other losses prevented by the cover exceed the solar gain reduction caused by the cover. The type of cover and the climate affects this balance. In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the pool increases. Therefore, it is generally beneficial to have a transparent or bubble cover on during daylight hours. In warm, humid conditions the evaporation rate decreases. In this case, it may be more beneficial to leave the cover off during the daytime.
How Do I Install It
If you want to wrap the whole pool area, you can start at one end or the other depending on wheelbarrow access. Unroll the cover and pull it to the opposite side of the pool. Get a helper to help float the opposite end as you pull. Now unroll the cover in the water. Dont try to install the cover in the wrinkles or folds. It is better to lay out the cover on a flat, smooth, hard surface and use a broomstick to gently press down the cover on the edges. This will straighten the cover out and make it easier to install. For pools with small docks that obstruct lifting the cover over the edge, install one end at a time.
Wrap the excess material all around the pool so that the debris will be trapped between the cover and the pool wall. Some solar cover lids are designed to operate on their own. If you are not using a lidding material, you will need to weight the cover down on windy days. A brick works well. Slip the brick into a baggie and tie the baggie around the brick. This will allow you to safely weight the cover down without damaging your pool’s surface areas.
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Do Solar Pool Covers Make My Water Dirty
No. It might seem gross to have a tarp over the top of your pool, sort of cooking the insides, but solar pool covers actually make your water cleaner. A pool cover prevents dirt and debris from flying into your pool and clogging the filter systems. It prevents dust from building up around the steps when it falls into your pool.
Additionally, by preventing chemical loss through evaporation, the pool cover helps your pool retain important cleaning chemicals.
