Solar Pool Covers Bubble Up Or Down
posted on January 18, 2022
Everyone wants to dive into a pool that always has the perfect water temperature. But unless you have a state-of-the-art pool heat management system maintaining desired water temperature levels can be harder than you think.
Traditional electric and gas heaters can not only be expensive to buy but also expensive to run. A more efficient and affordable solution would be to use solar pool covers instead.
What Is A Solar Pool Cover
A solar pool cover is a floating cover that you put on your pool to help heat the pool faster, and keep the heat in longer.
Solar covers are mesh covers that are designed to allow water to pass through the cover, but not the heat. This heat is trapped in the water and travels down to heat the pool. Solar pool covers are specifically made to work for heating swimming pools. They are not designed to prevent debris items from getting in. However, they are designed to filter out the smallest leaves. If you are looking for a solar cover to prevent debris items from getting in, a solar blanket might be a good option.
Solar pool covers are generally built to last for 3 to 4 years, assuming you do not swim a lot. Most solar pool covers are very similar. There are typically cheaper covers and more expensive covers. The more expensive cover will usually carry a better warranty.
These covers will work in any pool, but pool sizes may vary. Most pools should be able to fit a cover that is 12′ x 24′.
You must order the solar pool cover to the exact dimension of your pool.
Best Bubble Covers For Each Pool Shape
You may find yourself in the market for a bubble cover. In which case, you should check out our favorites. Bubble covers are not a one size fits all product. Here are our picks for a range of pool types and sizes:
If your pool is irregularly shaped, try buying a large rectangular cover, and trimming to fit yourself. Just make sure you measure the pool so you buy a large enough cover to begin with. Itll take a little bit of time and maybe some frustration to trim a cover to fit, but its worth it to save those sun rays in your water.
Read Also: Buying Solar Panels For Home
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.
What Are Solar Pool Covers And How Do You Put One On A Pool
Solar pool covers are like other types of traditional pool covers that prevent debris and dirt from finding its way into your pristine pool water but with a few major advantages.
Apart from keeping nature out of your pool, solar pool covers also help retain solar energy thereby heating up your pool water and minimizing temperature loss due to evaporation.
Solar pool covers are not as effective at heating water up as gas or electric pool heaters but then again they are not as expensive or as costly to run either. Also, if you live in a region that enjoys mild winters a solar panel cover may be more than enough to keep your pool water nice and pleasant all-year-round.
Installing a solar pool cover is not so different from installing any other traditional pool cover except for one very important factor which way does a solar cover go on a pool?
This question stems from the fact that one side of a solar pool cover is completely flat while the other side has hundreds if not thousands of tiny bubbles.
Don’t Miss: What To Look For In Solar Panels
Solar Cover For Above Ground Pool Bubbles Up Or Down
Your solar pool cover bubbles should face down. When faced up, you hinder the process of heating up your pool water effectively, and on time.
The process is slowed down when faced down and may even cause severe damage to the bubbles several times.
Lastly, when faced up, your solar pool cover bubbles may just overheat since the captured heat has nowhere to go. Thereby, resulting in the lesser service life of your unit.
What Solar Pool Cover Color Is Best
Does it make a difference? Yes, it does. A solar pool cover is available in many shades of blues, grays, yellows, and even transparent. The colors make a difference to the amount of heat that is transferred to the pool water as well as the amount that is retained in the same.
Dark blue covers are generally better at keeping heat than allowing heat to enter the pool, whereas transparent pool covers allow the heat to enter the pool the best but not retain it well enough. You can read more about how good transparent covers are in our article Clear Vs Blue Solar Pool Covers
Don’t Miss: Are There Solar Powered Generators
What Accessories Can I Use With My Solar Cover
It is perfectly fine to connect your automatic pool cleaner and place the cover over it. In fact, it is advisable. We still need to do everything possible to keep our pool debris and algae free.
A tablet floater, however, gets mixed reviews. It is ok to float your chlorine tablet floater underneath your solar cover, but keep in mind that it can become trapped in one spot and cause discoloration to your solar cover and in rare cases, your swimming pools surface. This is because of the accumulation of chlorine that can tend to gather under a trapped floater.
Also Check: Thunderbolt 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit
How Long Do Pool Covers Last
Generally, low PH levels, extended exposure to sunlight, and high chlorine levels reduce the lifespan of pool covers. Its always advisable not to place pool covers immediately after shocking. Also, periodically test pool water to ensure chlorine levels are above 2.5ppm.
Remember, high chlorine levels or PH levels slowly eat the pool cover making it brittle. You also need to cover or place the solar blanket in the shade when its not in use. Ultimately, a well-maintained solar blanket can last between 5-7 years. Average exposure to sunlight for up to 8 hours can cut down solar cover longevity to 2-4 years.
Recommended Reading: Can Solar Panels Charge Electric Cars
An Informative Guide: Pool Covers Bubbles Up Or Down
Proper installation of pool covers translates to enhanced efficiency. Fundamentally pool covers serve the role of maintaining optimum temperatures in the pool. As a result, it reduces the energy demand in the pool.
Moreover, a properly installed pool cover keeps out debris that can compound the cleaning demand. Therefore, correctly installing a pool cover is crucial to tap its benefits fully.
A common dilemma facing pool owners is whether to install pool cover bubbles up or down. Remember, a pool cover works like a magnifying glass to amplify and direct sun rays onto the pool.
Lets explore the proper installation of pool 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!
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Solar Batteries
Don’t Miss: How To Use Solar Energy At Home
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.
Donât Miss: How Does A Grid Tied Solar System Work
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 poolâs surface areas.
Also Check: Outdoor Motion Sensor Solar Lights
Also Check: How To Check Solar Panel
Does A Pool Warm
During hot and windless days, it may be the case that the pool water will heat up quickly without the solar pool cover since more of the suns energy will reach the water directly.
However, the pool cover also prevents heat loss and evaporation, which usually occurs frequently and much quicker in windy conditions so that it may heat up quicker with the lid on.
Is It Ok To Leave Pool Cover Off
No, but winter covers protect your pool from stains, algae growth and poor water balance that could damage pool surfaces. However, if you want to close the pool, but keep it uncovered all winter, or if you need to delay purchasing a new cover until next fall here are the steps we took to do it for our customer above.
Read Also: Solar Panels For Rvs
Also Check: How To Use A Solar Battery Charger
How To Store Solar Pool Covers
Solar pool covers need to be stored in a sheltered area and away from the sun when not in use. This is because solar pool covers cannot transfer the heat it absorbs since it is not in contact with water. This can cause the solar pool cover to overheat and the bubbles to peel away from the solar pool cover.
Note: Keep your solar pool cover away from the grass dry grass can catch fire and destroy the solar pool cover.
Pool Cover Bubbles Up Or Down
You should put the bubbles down. The bubbles need to face the water and the smoother side faces up. Solar covers work by trapping heat that would otherwise be lost. The pockets of air created between the cover and the surface of the water heat up, trapping heated air next to the water to keep your pool warm.
The solar pool cover first absorbs sunlight, heating up the air bubbles on the surface of the cover. The heat from the bubbles heats the pool water, raising it by anywhere from 10-15 degrees . That temperature increase is enough to extend your swim season by a few weeks to a full month!
Recommended Reading: What Is A Sole Proprietor Llc
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.
Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Sole Proprietor Llc And Corporation
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.
Recommended Reading: Can You Sell Solar Energy Back To The Power Company
How Do Solar Pool Covers Work
The bubble cover, also called solar cover or isothermal cover, has the function of preserving the water in your swimming pool during spring and summer.
It has the advantages of being thermally insulated, light, retaining heat, inexpensive, and saves on your water and cleaning product expenses.
Finally, when you store your bubble cover during the winter period, a small space is enough for it.
Should The Bubbles Be Up Or Down On Pool Solar Cover
Once your pool cover is installed with the bubble facing up, you will not get your desired heating temperature. This is because the bubble is not directed towards the water.
As such, the heat is trapped away from the water. This could also mean that the heat will travel through multiple layers before getting to your water.
Plus, that could also result in your pool cover suffering damage. How? As the sun keeps hitting the bubble part, the cover overheats since it has no place to dissipate the heat.
Ensure your unit is well installed to keep your cover functioning and your pool heated at all points.
Ensure the cover is kept away from the sun when not in use. Possibly kept in a bag that doesnt reflect the sun.
You May Like: Will Solar Tax Credit Be Extended
How Does A Solar Pool Cover Go On
Manually: Although you may think its easy to pull a solar cover on and off and keep it aside folded whenever required, it may end up being a lot difficult and impractical for a big pool. By doing it this way, you will likely tear it or damage it in some way or the other.
Manual roller or reel: In this method, the solar cover is attached to a roller removed. Many rollers have a wheel at one end so that you wheel them away from swimmers if required. This is, therefore, the most popular method of removing and putting the cover.
Electric roller: Electric rollers are similar to manual rollers but are operated electronically. This makes them more convenient to use than manually operated solar pool covers.
How Long Do Pool Solar Covers Last
The largest killers of pool solar covers are high chlorine levels and low pH levels in your pool water, and leaving the solar cover out in direct sunlight.
Never place your solar cover on the pool after shocking the pool, or when the chlorine level is above 2.5 ppm. High chlorine level or low pH levels slowly eat away at a solar cover, making it brittle.
Be sure to cover your solar blanketwhen it is off the pool, or place it safely in the shade. When folded on-deck or rolled upon a solar reel, air bubbles on the solar cover act as prisms to attract UV rays, which deteriorate the plastic bubbles.
When protected from sun when off the pool, and not used when chlorine levels are high a solar blanket can last 57 years. Ironically, strong solar rays will eventually destroy a solar cover. If your pool gets 8 hours of direct daily sun, in the hotter parts of the country, you may only get 24 years of use, even with good care.
We hope this post has given you insight into what pool solar cover is best for you! Keep in mind what goal you have for your solar cover. Do you want to retain heat in your pool, or block it from entering in the first place? The color of the solar cover you choose may not give you the desired result, so choose wisely!
Also Check: How Strong Are Solar Panels
Should Solar Pool Cover Bubbles Be Installed Up Or Down
A solar pool cover needs to be installed with the bubble side facing down. Pool covers are crested with two distinct surfaces, the smooth part, and the bubble face.
A quick stroll in your neighborhood might reveal the fact that some people install their pool with the bubble side facing up. Well, that is because theyre ignorant, and here is why:
A heat blanket for the swimming pool is created with air bubbles that trap heat, spreading it across your pool to heat things up.
If these bubbles werent there, the trapped heat would have been lost. The bubbles of air are created to hold back heat between the cover and the water. This trapped heat, in turn, keeps your pool warm for an extended period.
When installed correctly , the heat can raise your water temperature between 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit, and that can last you for up to a week or a month.
Another important aspect of the bubble pool cover is that it can suspend itself on the water while absorbing enough heat in the day for the cold night.
