Solar Heating Blanket For Pool

Choose The Elite Solar Pool Blanket For Superior Performance

Ten years ago, the team at Elite Pool Covers set out to improve on all aspects of the run of the mill round bubble blankets and succeeded by developing the Elite Super Bubble Blanket that is proven to out-perform all solar types of round bubble blankets on the world market.

There are a number of run of the mill round bubble type blankets on the market. These tend to keep the heat in your pool the same, as they all have similar small bubble size, same average insulating qualities, same lifespan and similar thicknesses.

The Elite Super Bubble Solar Blanket is truly superior and is proven to outperform all other round bubble blankets according to independent scale tank tests and comparative guarded hot plate tests to Australian Standard AS4859-1.

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.

How Much Does Each Type Of Pool Cover Cost

Now that weve gone over the upsides and downsides of both types, lets talk about the elephant in the room. Even if youre wealthy, you will have a moment or two where you dont want to spend more money than you have to. So, lets talk about the type of pool covers and what you should expect to pay.

Liquid pool covers are the cheapest option upfront. A single bottle of liquid pool cover will be between $15 to $25 in most cases, with many companies offering bulk discounts for people who are open to stocking up. You will need to keep paying that fee as part of your pool maintenance.

Regular solar blankets, on the other hand, will cost between $50 to $300. If you have a specialty pool that has a unique shape, you may need a custom cut solar blanket. This can cost extra. Though that can be a major drawback, there is one perk we want to emphasize here: you only need to pay this money once!

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Be Aware Of The Dangers Of Solar Pool Covers

If you have young children you need to be very aware that solar pool covers are a potential danger. If a child were to fall into a pool with the pool cover in place he/she could get wrapped in the cover and struggle to get out.

What people also dont realise is that it is dangerous to swim under a pool cover. When someone tries to surface for air there will be no air under the cover, so you need to supervise your children around your pool as actively as you do whether or not the pool cover is in place.

Contact Us today to have a pool blanket installed

How Do You Clean A Solar Pool Cover

An effective method of cleaning your solar pool cover starts by removing loose debris with a garden hose and sprayer. Then, mix gentle soap and water and lightly scrub any stubborn areas with the solution and a soft brush. Rinse the entire cover with the garden hose. Allow it to dry thoroughly before storing. Always avoid the use of harsh chemicals to clean the cover.

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What Is A Liquid Solar Blanket

A liquid solar blanket is a chemical additive that you add to your pool to create a protective and heat-hoarding blanket over the waters surface. When added, it kicks off a chemical reaction that forms an invisible barrier or forcefield over your pool.

With a liquid solar blanket on your pool, your pool water will be protected from evaporation and heat loss, with the added bonus of actually heating your pool up from the sun. In some cases, liquid solar blankets can raise the temperature of pool water up to 6 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Solar Blanket

Though liquid pool covers are popular, many people still prefer solar blankets. Theyre tried and true. Heres why you might fall into this school of thought.

• No chemicals, no problem. With all the chemicals you need for a typical non-saltwater pool, you would be forgiven if you get a little testy when youre asked to add even more to the mix. Even though pool covers are nontoxic, the truth is that some people would rather forgo chemicals all the way. This is the most common reason why people prefer solar blankets.
• Pay once, use for years. While liquid pool covers are cheap upfront, you have to pay for them every couple of months. Those numbers add up over time, making it the more expensive option long-term.
• Plastic isnt quite healthy for the environment. Even if you are worried about the issue of chemicals seeping into the atmosphere, its hard to ignore that plastics tend to have a very negative impact on the Earth, just from their creation alone.
• Easy to clean. Liquid pool covers dont need cleaning, sure, but a typical solar blanket will not be too hard to clean, either.
• No harm to your pool, period. Some people worry about the liquid pool cover film coating filters or pipes. With solar blankets, there is literally zero chance of this happening. After all, there are no chemicals involved.

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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.

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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Turn On Your Pool Pump

The liquid needs a bit of help to make its way around your entire pool. Turning your pool pump on to help circulate water will ensure that theres a nice layer over every part of the pools surface.

Remember, this stuff is lighter than water, so even if it gets mixed up with your pool water, it will always float back up to hang out on top.

What Size Of Solar Pool Cover Do I Need

Our team recommends that in order to properly determine the correct size of solar pool cover you need for your swimming pool, you should simply measure the longest and widest points of the pool.

The goal is that when the cover is installed, it completely covers the pool water surface so there arent any coverage gaps for heat to escape. Knowing your pools length and width helps prevent you from getting a pool cover too small, if a cover is too big it can usually just be cut to fit your swimming pool size & shape.

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What Is Better Solar Blanket Or Liquid Pool Cover

Now you might be asking yourself why you would use a liquid solar cover rather than a physical solar blanket. While there are pros and cons for each, one of the biggest reasons simply comes down to the size and the storage required to keep a solar blanket in good condition!

Why use liquid solar cover instead of a plastic solar blanket

• no need to cover and uncover the pool every day
• easier to store
• reduce costs associated with heating your pool

Some pool owners are even convinced they use their pool less because they dread having to deal with their solar blanket every time they get in and out of their pool.

On the other hand, the liquid solar blanket continues to work when people are swimming in the pool. The tension formed at the surface of the water is broken by the swimmers but reforms quickly.

How To Use Liquid Pool Cover

• Purchase the right amount of liquid pool cover for a swimming season. The “right amount” will depend on the size of your pool.
• With circulation running, add liquid pool cover product to the skimmer . If you want, you can also pour the right amount of liquid pool cover directly into the pool. You may have to manually circulate the water so that the liquid cover properly covers the surface
• Create a schedule to add more liquid pool cover, at least one time a month. Keep and sticking to a schedule will make sure that the liquid pool cover is effective.
• If desired, use a physical solar blanket and liquid solar blanket at the same time for double the protection

Now you’ve got the low-down on solar covers, get some helpful tips for maintaining 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.

Liquid Solar Blanket Vs Regular Solar Pool Covers

Regular solar pool covers are probably always going to be more efficient at decreasing heat loss over the liquid alternative. They also have the added benefit of keeping debris like leaves and grass clippings out of your pool so youll have fewer things to skim out every day.

The main problem with regular covers is that they are bulky, unwieldy, difficult to store, and they take up a lot of space. They can also harbor algae and bacteria if not thoroughly cleaned periodically.

A major safety concern with traditional solar pool covers is the possibility of a child or pet falling into the pool and getting trapped under the cover. Make sure that you always have good safety precautions in place if you have small children or pets at home.

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The Science Behind Geobubble Technology

Swimming pool covers are typically exposed to high levels of Ultra Violet radiation and chemical attack. GeoBubble is a material designed specifically for this environment, making the cover more resistant to these attacks and enabling a longer lifespan.

To understand the science of GeoBubble, it helps to look at the traditional bubble material used for pool covers. Originally their design was developed and adapted from the packaging industry, which is a high-volume, low-quality packaging bubble material with a short lifespan. Because of this, traditional bubbles have several inherent weaknesses in their design, including thin points and high residual stress areas. Thin points in a bubble design create weak points which are quickly broken down by UV rays and chemical attack.

The degradation process is accelerated in areas of high stress as these areas are under constant strain. This results in the bubble material breaking down and will ultimately cause the premature failure of the pool cover. This is because of the inherent weakness within the bubble design produced by stress created in the material during manufacture. The angular profile of the traditional bubble design mould forces the material to move against the polymers natural flow characteristics applying stress which results in a thinning of the material and areas of high residual stress.

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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Should I Take My Solar Cover Off During The Day

If the weather is warm and sunny, with little wind, then you may see a slightly higher increase in the temperature of the pool if you remove the cover during the day. This would probably only be true if you took it off for just the hottest hours of the day.

Once the sun starts to go lower then you may begin to lose as much, if not more, heat due to evaporation than you gain from the sun.

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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What Is The Best Pool Solar Cover Thickness

There are a few things to consider when it comes to choosing the thickness of your pool cover.

The normal range of solar cover thicknesses runs from 8 mils to 16 mils. In case you are not aware a mil is one-thousandth of an inch .

12 mil solar covers are the most popular thickness as they do a good all-round job, are easy to handle and last quite a few years.

You really get what you pay for when it comes to solar blankets. Buying cheap can be a false economy.

One of the most popular brands of solar pool covers is Sun2Solar. They produce them in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Sun2Solar Ovalfrom 10ft x 15ft to 21ft x 41ft

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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