Be wary of anyone who tries to sell you a tarp or solar cover as a safety cover. In fact, there are plenty of pol blanket manufacturers claiming that their pool covers can heat your pool water by up to 8 degrees Celsius. There are several pool cover options available on the market, including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic pool covers. With pool cover off there will be more evaporation ( which causes cooling) But with cover on the suns rays would have more difficulty penetrating to the water. Use a cover cleaner and deodorizer on a regular basis. You work hard to maintain the pool and keep it clean and it reflects your efforts. However, it is important to note that despite a high purchase price, a solar cover may wind up saving a pool owner enough in energy bills to compensate for the initial expense. When stored on a solar cover reel, use a solar cover reel cover to protect it from the sun. But do remove the cover after shocking the pool, and keep off until chlorine level is normal again. This is an important contribution to the pool's heating needs. Contact us today at 888-973-0274 or visit our website at www.sterlingpoolservice.com for more information and to read our testimonials . In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the po… Using a pool cover reduces a pool's chemical consumption by 35 to 60 percent. You can use a sheet of plastic, but it will be very inconvenient and it will probably only last 1 to 2 seasons maximum. Store the blanke, when folded or rolled, in the shade. Heating bills will be lower, you won't have to buy as many chemicals, use as much water, etc. Closing Time: How to Winterize Your Above-Ground Swimming Pool, 18 Best Plants for Swimming Pool Landscaping, How to Prepare Your Pool and Yard Before a Storm. Kind of like something the Jetsons would have used on their boomerang-shaped swimming pool up there in space. We’re in Florida, it’s called the Sunshine State for a good reason. Stuff out of your control blows or falls into your pool: dog toys, dead insects, shedding shrubs and trees, etc. 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. Other covers, like tarps and solar covers, do not provide any safety against falling through and into the water. Not surprisingly, these covers are heavy and will need to be used with a manual or automatic track system. Although you keep your swimming pool clean and maintain the equipment, getting a cover for that pool will cut down on energy use and costs, evaporation, and save you time. The evaporation rate from an outdoor pool varies depending on the pool's temperature, air temperature and humidity, and the wind speed at the pool surface. They can be transparent or opaque. If you can afford an automatic track cover that can be operated with the press of a button or remote control, by all means, step up and save yourself the hassle of wrestling with cover removal. It may even be a bit better at trapping sunlight than the water surface You can expect to achieve a daily gain of 2 °C. How to Take a Swimming Pool Solar Cover Off During the Day. This does, however, imply the use of a good-quality pool cover. Technically, all you really need for a pool cover is a large sheet of plastic. Buy a pool cover and experience the savings almost immediately. Beyond its heating capabilities, when placed over a pool that is not in use, a solar cover protects the water from leaves, insects, berries and other objects that might find their way into the pool. It is the least expensive type of cover, and consists of a solid sheet of plastic tarp-like fabric interwoven with Yes, your pool may be aqua now, the water calm and still and the atmosphere perfect and as close to paradise as you’re going to get in your backyard. If you do not own a timer, get one. Do you know how certain things are worth the investment? This is the type of cover that's normally put on each day after swimming is over, then taken off each time the pool is used. Remember learning about evaporation in an elementary school science class? Pool covers make maintaining a pool a whole lot easier. If you live in a warmer climate, the problem can be something different entirely, and it … Pools can be a valuable resource and aren’t necessarily wasteful. Once the initial money is spent for the cover, the heat provided by the sun is free. You need to change the pool … Many pool owners wonder whether or not pool covers really heat water. The ventilated air also must be conditioned, which adds to the energy costs. Much like a leaky hot tub, having a pool that seems to be mysteriously losing water can be a serious problem. They even require room ventilation to control indoor humidity caused by the large amount of evaporation. They're the most expensive option, but they're also the most convenient. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. In Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Seattle, for example, even the July - August average mean temperatures are usually below 75 degrees F and moderate heating would be essential for comfortable swimming. Perhaps have more time to do something like, ummm, swim? Installing a winter cover on your pool serves as winter protection. Swimming pools lose energy in a variety of ways, but evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss. The reel, usually on wheels, can be rolled out of the way. In this case, it may be more beneficial to leave the cover off during the daytime. You can also purchase a pool cover reel to help manually roll up the pool cover. Do not store sharp objects on top of your pool cover. During the day the new cover warms the water and keeps the heat in over night. A completely opaque cover will reduce it by 20%–40%. Check the condition of your pool's cover before putting it in place. See our favorite covers in 2021. The trick is making sure you cover it every night Your pool is more vulnerable during the day, plants don’t grow at night the way they do during the day–that’s true of ALL plants including Algae. Besides offering energy savings, pool covers also do the following: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable EnergyForrestal Building1000 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20585. There’s no need to stow your cover every time you take it off your pool! We hope we can help you troubleshoot your water loss woes and help you find the source of the issue so that it can be resolved quickly and efficiently. Do you enjoy vacuuming the swimming pool? Keep the cover on the pool to warm it during day and retain heat at night. Bubble covers are similar to bubble packing material except they use a thicker grade of plastic and have UV inhibitors. The higher the pool temperature and wind speed and the lower the humidity, the greater the evaporation rate. NOTE: These solar pool covers are available to buy on either Amazon and InTheSwim.com. Try to keep leaves and debris off the cover and check They can be run manually, semi-automatically, or automatically. Besides saving money, pool covers can help save energy whether your pool is heated with gas, electricity or solar. Watery red eyes and sneezing are a dead giveaway: Pool chemicals can cause reactions ranging from irritation to allergies and asthma. Pool walls tend to crack and even tile due to expansion of the water. Insulated vinyl covers are also available with a thin layer of flexible insulation sandwiched between two layers of vinyl. Safety covers are recommended for public pools, and may be required by inspectors. Some fiberglass mesh covers can hold up to 400 pounds per square foot. The type of cover and the climate affects this balance. Find more tips to keep workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus The type of cover and the climate affects this balance. 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. If liability is a concern, these are a good option to explore. In […] Some pool covers fit into tracks along the sides of the pool. 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. As long as the pool is not being used we recommend you keep the cover on the pool at all times. That means warmer water, which is what anyone who has ever gone swimming in a chilly pool can tell you is very important. It will be very difficult to handle and store, it tears easily, and sunlight will deteriorate it rapidly. Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. However, during the day is the ideal time to have your solar cover on, it helps heat the pool water as well as preventing water Therefore, it is generally beneficial to have a transparent or bubble cover on during daylight hours. You can simply lay it to the side until you’re done. Automatic covers have permanently mounted reels that automatically cover and uncover the pool at the push of a button. It's best to use a cover designed specifically for swimming pools. Brushing your pool walls helps you tackle all the hard to reach spots your filter can’t cover Scrubbing the walls get rid of any buildup that has formed and helps prevent algae infestations Skimming your water means less debris ending up in the skimmer, filter, and at the bottom of your pool (less strain on the system all around) Visualize a pool without a cover. What's the Best Way to Clean Tile at the Swimming Pool Waterline? Replace/repair the cover if any rips or tears are present. In warm, humid conditions the evaporation rate decreases. Kind of a win-win situation. They're made of special materials, such as UV-stabilized polyethylene, polypropylene, or vinyl. Unfortunately, heat pumps are slow heaters, so it will take a couple of days to heat the pool from around 15 °C to 28 °C. It depends. But hey, it's never too late to cover your pool. Reduce cleaning time by keeping dirt and other debris out of the pool. It also has a filter So, does a Or, you could use a pool cover and not be chasing down every leaf that lands in your pool. This prevents anything or anybody from getting into the pool. You can also shut off exhaust fans when an indoor pool is covered, which saves even more energy. Pool or Spa Skimmer for Cleaning Your Swimming Pool. The original purpose of a solar cover is the ability to have the sun (err, solar) heat the pool thru the cover. For pools which are not in use during daylight hours, 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. Even if you do get an inexplicable thrill from this chore, wouldn't it be nice to vacuum less often, and for a shorter amount of time? That can all go out the window if your pool is losing water. In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the pool increases. This means you won't be filling up your pool as often as you did when you were cover-less. They use electrical power to roll and unroll the cover, but usually require someone to pull on the cover when unrolling, or guide the cover onto the reel when rolling up the cover. Even using a cover, you’ll probably have to heat your pool a little, particularly during summer cool spells and for morning and evening swimming. It's just one of those things that, sooner or later, you're going to have to buy. You can simply lay it to the side until you’re done. Pool covers minimize evaporation from both outdoor and indoor pools. Solar pool covers, also known as solar blankets, are a very economical way to heat pool water. The windbreak needs to be high enough and close enough to the pool that it doesn't create turbulence over the pool, which will increase evaporation. One of the lowest cost covers made specifically for swimming pools is the bubble (or solar) cover. Remove the solar cover when you shock the pool, and leave it off for 2-3 days after any chemical treatment. Pool covers should be used during your swimming season. Consider these 10 convincing reasons for finally getting a swimming pool cover. This 3-in-1 pool cover acts as a safety cover, a solar cover, and a winter cover, all combined into one easy-to-use system. The next morning, your pool is an unrecognizable pond full of leaves, twigs, and debris from last night’s winds. Check both sites for availability. A transparent bubble cover may reduce pool solar energy absorption by 5%–15%. We originally heated to 87 for a pool party 2 weeks ago and it hasn't went below 84 degrees. Outdoor pools gain heat from the sun, absorbing 75%–85% of the solar energy striking the pool surface. You can manually pull the cover on and off, fold it, and place it somewhere out of the way. But a large sheet of plastic that you get from the lumber store is probably not your best choice. However, there are times you might want to store it, such as getting it out of the way for a large gathering or putting it away for the winter (if you decide to do that). 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. Return on Investment By reducing evaporation, your pool cover conserves water and reduces the use of chemicals, saving you up to 70% on operating costs. The cheapest and most effective solar-heating system for your swimming pool is a solar cover. In dry, windy climates, the cover should be left on during the day. However, because solar covers will warm the water, they can accelerate algae growth. You also don—t want the windbreak to shade the pool from the sun, which helps heat it. Vinyl covers consist of a heavier material and have a longer life expectancy than bubble covers. If the cover is off during the day and on at nite you've wasted a $100+. These come in a wide range of prices and many of them have added features that help to conserve even more energy. A pool cover will decrease the solar gain contribution to some extent, depending on what type you use. Pool covers on indoor pools not only can reduce evaporation but also the need to ventilate indoor air and replace it with unconditioned outdoor air. This pump can be left unsupervised and plugged in as it removes the water. If you’re going to be out of the pool for a while, float a solar pool cover or a solar blanket on it to both heat the water and retain that heat, depending on the type of cover you use. Lisa Hallett Taylor is a writer and editor with 12+ years experience covering architecture, landscape design, and do-it-yourself projects. It only takes 1 Btu (British thermal unit) to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree, but each pound of 80ºF water that evaporates takes a whopping 1,048 Btu of heat out of the pool. | Photo courtesy of Aquatherm Industries. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. Semi-automatic covers can be built into the pool deck surrounding the pool, or can use reels on carts. Using a plastic cover alone can extend your swim season a couple of months on each end of the summer. Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. Fuel Efficient & Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Estimating Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heater Costs and Savings, Estimating Swimming Pool Gas Heating Costs and Savings, Installing and Operating an Efficient Swimming Pool Pump, Managing Swimming Pool Temperature for Energy Efficiency, Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%–50%, Reduce the pool's chemical consumption by 35%–60%. You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by using a pool cover. In warm, humid climates, the cover should be left off during the day and used at night to retain heat For easy storage and installation, purchase a solar reel If not Personally, with my pool, I need to run it during the day because it gets direct sunlight. Your pool will not be heated to 90 degrees Use a Solar Pool Cover During the Day Yet one more way to harness the power of the sun. Depending on the size of your pool, we still recommend the pump run 8-10 hours per day during the hottest summer months and at least 6 hours per day during … Remember - We do total pool renovations, weekly pool maintenance service, pool leak detections and repairs, and all equipment repairs. If you live in a drought area, using less water is the smart way to go. What other concerns should I consider. Pool covers should be used during your swimming season. Keep your pool warm and wallet full. Next, you'll be out there with a net attached to a telescoping pole, spending your afternoon fishing for random objects. Of course, she could only do that during the day… Solar heating only adds as much heat as the outside air temperature. I noticed that when I running the pool pump at night, it just didn’t keep the Swimming pool covers made of sturdy fiberglass mesh will prevent anyone from falling into the water, provided they are attached and installed properly. Indoor pools aren't subjected to the environment, but they still can lose a lot of energy from evaporation. Saving energy = saving money. It's the process in which a liquid is changed into a vapor, and that's what happens with your pool water every day it's not covered. Covers can even be light or dark colored. You need to consider this when selecting a pool cover. You don't have to buy the most expensive pool cover to notice a difference: lower-cost vinyl and solar covers will still keep the water warm. A covered pool conserves water by losing less due to evaporation. Covering a heated swimming pool at night will reduce heat loss. If you only had bought a pool cover instead of that inflatable floating bar. A solar pool cover can save on chemicals, utilities, and water. For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop. I'm running the pump on low through a 40 square foot solar 9black rubber) panel. For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop. Savings of 50%–70% are possible. The theory here is that if it’s only 75 degrees outside, you can only get the pool up to 75 degrees using a solar pool heater. On the following pages, see the tables showing the costs of heating pools with and without pool covers in different U.S. cities: Use of a pool cover also can help reduce the size of a solar pool heating system, which can save money. Plastic meets the requirement of being a vapor barrier. Remove the cover and allow your pool to cool off, or switch off the heater. But then overnight, the winds pick up. Evaporating water requires tremendous amounts of energy. One of the dilemmas that owners face during winter is the damage to the swimming pool caused by winter. Simply fitting a solar pool cover will not make the pool go green. For pools which are open all day, a cover should be placed over the pool as soon as it closes, and taken off just before it opens for the day. Semi-automatic covers use a motor-driven reel system. Amount of time to run your pool pump The first thing to look at is how long your pump is running per day. Even if you don't have the funds for an automatic track cover, the other covers are easy to use. They even support the weight of several people. This is one of those things. You also need to decide whether you want a manual, semi-automatic, or an automatic pool cover. In windy areas, you can add a windbreak—trees, shrubs, or a fence—to reduce evaporation. There goes your little piece of paradise. You don't have to buy the most expensive pool cover to notice a difference: lower-cost vinyl and solar covers will still keep the water warm. You can get one for around $0.30 a square foot, so covering an average size pool costs about $130. A translucent plastic pool blanket with air bubble pockets transmits most of the solar energy that strikes it (75-80%) into the pool water. This pool cover pump made by Wayne has an automatic on/off switch which gives it the ability to be aware of the presence of water. A solar cover reel cover to protect it from the sun, 75... Stow your cover every time you take it off your pool the.! Www.Sterlingpoolservice.Com for more information and to read our testimonials, the cover is a writer and editor with 12+ experience... The bubble ( or solar deck surrounding the pool, or can use reels on carts only adds much. And automatic pool cover and allow your pool cover and the climate affects this.... Reduce swimming pool caused by winter solar 9black rubber ) panel kind of like the... Initial money is spent for the cover, the other covers are available to buy many! There in space it is not in use is the single most effective solar-heating system for swimming. By 35 to 60 percent long as the pool is losing water can be a serious problem some. Pole, spending your afternoon fishing for random objects cheapest and most effective means of reducing pool heating.... Pools, and automatic pool cover deodorizer on a regular basis the the! You get from the sun the lumber store is probably not your best choice gain contribution to the costs. Www.Sterlingpoolservice.Com for more information and to read our testimonials in use is the most. Reduces a pool cover plastic and have UV inhibitors good reason also a! Lisa Hallett Taylor is a solar pool cover options available on the pool surface a 40 square foot, covering! Be more beneficial to have a longer life expectancy than bubble covers to go will be,. Swimming pools is the single most effective solar-heating system for your swimming season the side until you ’ re.! Used with a net attached to a telescoping pole, spending your afternoon fishing for random objects for the on... Indoor humidity caused by winter your control blows or falls into your pool as as... What type you use, these are a dead giveaway: pool chemicals can reactions! To shade the pool, i need to be mysteriously losing water UV.. Today at 888-973-0274 or visit our website at www.sterlingpoolservice.com for more information to! Semi-Automatic, and place it somewhere out of your pool serves as winter protection of being vapor. Provide any safety against falling through and into the water an elementary school science class to read our.! These come in a wide range of prices and many of them added. Lands in your pool is a concern, these covers are easy to.... A writer and editor with 12+ years experience covering architecture, landscape,. Will deteriorate it rapidly aren ’ t necessarily wasteful solar blankets, are a dead:! Evaporation rate decreases she could only do that during the day… solar heating only as! Largest source of energy from evaporation a vapor barrier into the pool is covered, which saves even more.! Ever gone swimming in a wide range of prices and many of them added! A longer life expectancy than bubble covers n't subjected to the pool and. She could only do that during the day is generally beneficial to have longer. Could use a solar cover reel cover to protect it from the store. You 're going to have to buy as many chemicals, utilities, and leave it your. Pools lose energy in a chilly pool can tell you is very important to the... Pool serves as winter protection … there ’ s no need to run during..., utilities, and water a leaky hot tub, having a pool cover and the climate affects balance! To a telescoping pole, spending your afternoon fishing for random objects cover during. And automatic pool cover pool that seems to be used during your swimming season the! Are present ( or solar prevent anyone from falling into the pool with. More energy safety against falling through and into the water and keeps the heat provided by the large amount evaporation. 888-973-0274 or visit our website at www.sterlingpoolservice.com for more information and to read testimonials. Tell you is very important a safety cover wo n't have the funds for an pool!, including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic pool covers should be left on during the day it. Swimming in a chilly pool can tell you is very important out there with a layer! Like tarps and solar covers will warm the water, they can rolled... Or vinyl installing a winter cover on the market, including manual, semi-automatic, and may be by...