Invest In A Solar Pool Cover
While it wont heat your inground or above ground pool as much as a traditional electric or gas heater will, any type of solar pool cover will keep more heatand more waterin your pool.
But it doesnt have to be a one or the other choice. You can use any kind of solar pool cover in tandem with an electric or gas heater, which will help you save money on utilities, water replacement, and pool chemicals. For such a modest upfront investment, you cant afford not to have one.
Happy Swimming!
What Is A Solar Pool Cover
With no cover at all, pool water absorbs a substantial amount of sunlight. A white plaster pool averaging 4.5 feet in depth absorbs approximately 60% of the suns energy. This energy will heat the pool by about 0.7°F per hour under the noontime sun.
But this heat gain is counteracted by water evaporation, which is dependent not only on water and air temperature but also wind on the pools surface and humidity. Evaporation would cause the same pool to lose about 5°F for every ¼-inch of water evaporated.
Solar pool covers capture the energy of the sun and transfer it directly into your pool water to keep it warm. Depending on where you live, a solar cover may not keep the water as warm as an electric or gas heater, but the tradeoff is that it can actually save you money by reducing water evaporation.
Before we continue, are you tired of fighting with your pool? Youre not alone. Most people are frustrated by their pools because they dont know what to do or how to fix it when something goes wrong. Our comprehensive illustrated guide and video lessons will show you exactly what to do so you can get back in the water fast. right now and purchase our Pool Care Video Course today!
Next Day Delivery Details
Dohenys is pleased to offer free next day delivery at no additional charge for orders over $100 to most of the US for all Doheny’s brand chemicals and many of our most popular swimming pool supplies. Next Day Delivery Service does not mean Next Day Air, but simply that your qualifying products will be shipped from the warehouse closest to you resulting in delivery the next day. We do have a shipping charge of only $9.99 for orders under $100.00.
Some details regarding this service:Other than for Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, not all products are stocked at all locations and therefore not available for next day delivery. Only those items with a Next Day Delivery designation on the product page can be expected to arrive the next day and orders must be placed by 3 PM local time .
If you reside in the next day delivery area served by our Pleasant Prairie facility, order in-stock products and place your order by 3 PM Local Time you should receive your order the next day . This applies to products even if they do not have a Next Day Delivery designation.
Because next day delivery is not guaranteed for standard service and residential deliveries are made only Monday through Saturday though Saturday delivery is not guaranteed, there is a chance that our product will not arrive the next day. While we try our best, unexpected demand can cause products to occasionally be out of stock or create a warehouse backlog that also can prevent shipment the day of the order.
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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.
How To Use Liquid Solar Cover
In addition to bottles, you can also find liquid solar cover in special dispersal packets, sometimes shaped like a cute little fish. Usually, youll just make a small cut in the dispersal packet, and set it free in the pool. Follow the instructions to be sure you add enough packets for your pool.
For bottled liquid solar cover, simply measure out the appropriate amount according to the volume of your pool, and pour it in. Thats it. Really.
We like to add enough liquid solar cover to last for a month, but always follow the manufacturers instructions for optimal performance. If you have a lot of splashout, heavy rain, or extremely dry conditions you may need to add liquid solar cover more often.
Tip: You can run your pump as usual with liquid solar cover in the pool.
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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.
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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How To Properly Store Solar Rings
For temporary storage, such as when youre swimming but youll be putting the rings back on the pool later, you can simply stack them near the pool. Keep them out of the wind, though, or they may end up all over the pool deck and yard.
Some rings and squares have loops on the outer portion so you can hang them up while you swim.
When the swimming season is over, long-term storage is easy, too. Once you have the rings out of the water, spray them off and, if necessary, use a soft push broom or brush to clear any debris from them. Do this before you deflate them to make sure nothing gets trapped in any folds or wrinkles.
Next, dry them completely. It will be easiest to do this by hand. Taking a leaf blower to solar rings may just blow them right back into the pool, or into the neighbors yard. While that might be entertaining, it wont be efficient.
Once theyre dry, deflate them, flatten them, and store them in their storage bag , or in a container with a lid. Keep the bag or container in a cool, dry place.
Regardless of how and where you store them, just be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight, and away from abrasive surfaces.
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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Solar Sun Rings For Inground And Above Ground Swimming Pools
If a solar blanket seems like too much of a hassle to put on, take off, and store during the swimming season, you may prefer solar rings or squares. These can even be decorative because some of them have patterns and images such as palm trees printed on them, while others come in fun shapes such as flowers.
Solar rings are sold individually for around $25 to $35 each, or in sets for around $140 to $160 or more, depending on how many rings come in the set. The number you need to cover your pools surface will depend on the sizes of both your pool and the rings.
How To Properly Store Your Solar Cover
At the end of pool season, itll be time to break out the safety cover, and store the solar blanket. But before you do that, you must make sure the solar blanket is clean and completely dry so you dont get a nasty, moldy surprise when you open it up next season.
To clean your solar blanket, remove it from the pool, and lay it on a soft surface like grass. Concrete can damage the bubbles, making the blanket less able to float and do its job.
Once you have it spread out flat, use a soft push broom or soft scrub brush and clean water to scrub away dirt, algae or buildup, then rinse. Dry the blanket well by hand, using a leaf blower, or hanging it up to dry.
Tip: Dont ever leave your solar cover out to dry on your lawn. It can burn your grass.
After you wash and dry your solar blanket, reel it up. Some pool cover reels come with a weather- and UV-resistant storage cover so you can store it outside if you dont have any indoor space for it. If your reel didnt come with a cover, you can always pick one up.
If youre folding your blanket up, place it in a container with a sturdy lid to keep pests out. Then store the container somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight to prevent the cover from shrinking, and the plastic container from deteriorating.
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Protect It From Leaves And Insects That Fall Into The Pool
In this case, this pool cover is for circular pools with a diameter of 366 cm, whether they are inflatable like the East Set or with a metal structure like the Metal Frame.
It is important that you make sure of the measures so that it adapts perfectly to the swimming pool, for swimming pools of diameter 366 cm and the measure of the cover is 348 cm.
This cover is made of high quality polyethylene, blue color and has sealed air bubbles of 120 microns.
The cover is shipped in a plastic bag with loops for storage and transport whenever and wherever you want.
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.
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Product Description Intex Rectangular Solar Cover
Intex solar cover for rectangular pools 549×274 cm.Polythene cover, blue, measures 538×253 cm.The Intex solar cover is made from sealed air bubbles at a thickness of 160 microns At this moment, IntexRectangular Solar Cover is at best price and is perfect for your activities. At swiminn, you can find other products that complement into our Pools catalogue and particularly into our Protectors and covers category. We have a variety of Protectors and covers to suit your needs and to make you feel inspired to do more sport in your daily routine.
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.
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Why Do They Not Last Long
When a pool cover is made, UV protection is chemically added to the material to prolong its lifespan. This protection only lasts so long though. UV rays from the sun are very effective at breaking down the bonds that hold the cover together at the molecular level. Nature is quite powerful in this regard.
Once the UV protections useful life has passed, it is just a matter of time before the material starts to become rigid. At this point, it becomes vulnerable to damage by wind, rain and falling debris.
If thats not enough, chlorine, the chemical that keeps our pools safe, also plays a big role in the deterioration of pool covers. Chlorine is a corrosive chemical that breaks down molecular bonds nearly as effectively as UV rays.
What Is The Best Color For A Solar Pool Cover
Solar pool covers are available in several thicknesses. Theyre measured in mil, which is the standard United States unit of measure for one-thousandth of an inch.
- Blue solar covers can measure 4 mil and 8 mil .
- Clear solar covers can measure 12 mil and 16 mil .
Clear solar covers heat the pool better than blue solar covers because they allow more of the suns heat to penetrate more efficiently. Dark blue solar covers are great for heat retention. And even a lightweight cover can last if you take care of it properly.
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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.
