Best For Heat Retention: In The Swim Premium Plus Solar Blanket
Courtesy of In the Swim
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Aluminized cover to transfer heat
If your primary purpose for a solar cover is to maintain your pools temperature, then shop for a dark-colored solar blanket. This blue-black version from In the Swim is designed to retain heat and prevent evaporation. The solar cover is 12 mil thick and features an aluminized bottom to boost heat transfer from the suns rays to the pool water. It can raise water temperatures up to 15 degrees while at the same time reducing the amount of debris that lands in your pool.
Size: 16 x 32 feet | Shape: Rectangle | Thickness: 12 mil | Material: Not Listed | Weight: Not Listed
The Sun2Solar 1200 Series Rectangle Solar Pool Cover is our top choice. This rectangular cover features thick plastic construction, which makes it excellent at retaining heat and preventing evaporation. For a budget-friendly choice, we recommend the Sun2Solar 800 Series cover . Made of 8 mil thick resin, this is not the thickest solar pool cover on the market but it gets the job done.
Save Money On Chemicals
We use chlorine in our pools to destroy algae, bacteria and germs. Chlorine is expensive. The sun is an excellent heat source, but also produces UV radiation. UV radiation breaks down chlorine to an unusable state.
In a pool, chlorine is combined with other chemicals to give it some protection from UV rays, but its not a perfect system. Even with chemical protection, chlorine remains somewhat vulnerable. Solar pool covers provide another layer of protection against the loss of chlorine, meaning youll have to replace it less often.
Spare Parts And Repairs
We provide spare parts for most makes and models of swimming pool heat pumps and pool heaters.
From our experience, we can troubleshoot and repair most pool heat pumps.
We have a network of over 150 engineers throughout the UK who can assist on-site to repair any problems that you may have
Please contact us for a quotation for a spare part, servicing or repair of your pool heat pump
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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 To Save Money While Heating Your Pool Water
Now you know how each type of solar cover works, a few benefits of using them, and the best way to do so. But wait! Theres more! Weve got a few extra tips to help you save even more money.
- Run your filter during the hottest part of the day. This can help mitigate heat loss from evaporation. However, youll need to weigh this practice against power use during peak hours.
- Remove your solar blanket or rings before shocking your pool. The high concentration of chlorine will damage them.
- Prevent additional water evaporation due to wind by creating a windbreak around your pool. The higher the wind speed above your water, the more water will evaporate. Disrupt the wind with a pool cage, plants, patio furniture, or privacy screens.
- Run water features only when youre around to enjoy them. Vanishing edge swimming pools and waterfalls can double your water evaporation rate because they create more surface area by constantly moving the water.
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How To Store A Solar Cover In Winter
Apart from UV light another thing that makes your solar cover degrade quicker is the chemicals in the pool. So if you just remove the cover and store it then it will have these chemicals, and dirt, still on it. These will continue to act upon the cover while it is stored. So before you store the cover you should wash it with soapy water.
Ideally you should do this in an area large enough to lay it out flat, such as a terrace or a driveway. Lay it out and then hose it down. Afterward, using a bucket of soapy water wash it with a soft broom to remove as much as you can. Then hose it down again. You should do this on both sides and then leave it to dry completely before rolling it up.
Once dry and rolled up you need to protect it from not only the winter weather but also from UV light. Even the winter sun can produce enough UV to degrade the cover. If you have somewhere inside you can store it, such as a large garage, then that is ideal. If you cannot store it inside then you can buy a cover to protect it quite cheaply in a size to fit yours.
Splash Pools Scv 2412 Oval Solar Cover
With the Splash Pools Oval Solar Cover, you get three size options to find a great fit for your above-ground pool. We found one that should have been a great fit, but we were dismayed to see that it was several inches smaller than advertised. This resulted in a large gap around the perimeter of the cover that allowed debris to get into the pool and reduced this covers effectiveness. But it still did a pretty decent job of increasing the waters temperature.
Our biggest complaint with the Splash pools solar cover is that it started to disintegrate within the first year. When this happens, youll notice your pool starting to fill up with little plastic bubbles that can easily clog your pump and vacuum. For us, the headache this caused wasnt worth the few degrees of warmth we got in exchange, which is why this cover is in the last position of our list.
- Started to disintegrate in the first year
- Filled pool with plastic particles
- Smaller than advertised
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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.
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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Reduce Evaporation & Chemical Use
A solar cover blanket not only retains the heat, but it also protects against harmful UV rays, slowing the growth of algae in your pool water. The tiny air bubbles on the cover that trap heat in also work to block the sun from reaching your water, slowing down the rate that water evaporates, saving you money by needing to top up your pool water level less often.
Solar Covers Transfer Heat
If you laid a sheet of plain bubble wrap on top of your pool water, all the little bubbles would act as magnifying glasses and would transfer some heat to the water. But regular bubble wrap is too flimsy to use for this purpose. Enter the solar blanket.
Depending on the color, opacity, and type of solar blanket you use, you could very well get some actual heating benefit from it. A light-colored, clear cover will allow the suns UV rays to pass through to the water, thereby heating it. A dark, opaque cover may still let some through if the material is thin, but not as many as the light, clear cover.
To get the most heat transfer from a solar blanket, look for one that is white or clear on top, with dark or black bubbles. The dark color will absorb the suns heat and will transfer that heat to the water theyre touching.
If heat transfer is one of your goals in buying a solar blanket, keep these features and benefits in mind so you can choose the right one for your pool:
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Does A Solar Cover Stop The Pool Getting Dirty
Although some seem to suggest that solar covers do at least help in keeping the pool clean, in my experience, this is not one of their benefits. You always have a small gap between the pool sides and the cover so dirt and debris often get blown towards the edges and then enter the pool.
Also, to keep the cover in good order it is good practice to hose any dirt off the cover before you roll it up so this ends up in the pool anyway while you are using the hose or when you roll it up.
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.
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Free Technical Support And Advice
We fully understand swimming pool heat pumps and all types of pool heaters so we can offer you FREE technical support before and after your purchase.
We provide FREE pool heater sizing advice to ensure that the pool heater that we recommend will meet and exceed your requirements.
We also offer an indoor pool design service covering dehumidification and pool heating for domestic and commercial swimming pools
Call us now on +44 1268-206560 and speak to our friendly expert team.
Should I Cover My Entire Pool
There are 2 answers for this question. In order to get the maximum heating benefit from our solar cover, it is advisable to cover the entire swimming pool. This also puts you at a bit more of a risk for algae growth if you do not properly take care of your swimming pool water. This means circulation, brushing and water chemistry. If these are things you struggle with, you may want to only cover 80-90% of the swimming pool.
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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.
Keep Bugs And Debris Out
Although its not one of their primary purposes, solar blankets do shield your pool from bugs and debris such as leaves and twigs. If your blanket does trap debris, use a hand skimmer to scoop it out before removing the cover.
The more debris you can keep out of your pool water, the less you have to run your pump on high to vacuum, and the more you can save in energy costs.
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Closing Vinyl And Fibreglass Pools
In preparation for freezing temperatures, an in-ground swimming pools pipes must be emptied. An above-ground pool should also be closed, so that ice does not drag down the pool wall, collapsing its structure. The plumbing is sealed with air, typically with rubber plugs, to prevent cracking from freezing water. The pool is typically covered to prevent leaves and other debris from falling in. The cover is attached to the pool typically using a stretch cord, similar to a bungee cord, and hooks fitted into the pool surround. The skimmer is closed off or a floating device is placed into it to prevent it from completely freezing and cracking. Floating objects such as life rings or basketballs can be placed in the pool to avoid its freezing under the cover. Sand or DE filters must be backwashed, with the main drain plug removed and all water drained out. Drain plugs on the pool filter are removed after the filter has been cleaned. The pool pump motor is taken under cover. Winter chemicals are added to keep the pool clean. The innovation of a composite construction of fiberglass, with an epoxy coating and porcelain ceramic tiles has led to the pre-form, composite-type with significant advantages over older methods however, it also has increased sensitivity to metal staining.
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.
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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.
