What Do I Do
The climate is great here in the Canary Islands, with the lowest temperatures rarely dropping below 50ºF at night and 68ºF during the day in winter. But there is insufficient sunshine to keep the pool at a temperature that we are prepared to swim in , even with our solar heating and the solar cover.
So from around mid-November until late February, or early March, I take the cover off and store it. See the next section for tips on storing.
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.
How Effective Are Solar Pool Covers
A solar pool cover can be incredibly effective if you use it properly. A solar cover wont instantly or magically warm your swimming pool water, but can provide an incredible difference in temperature if you use it consistently.
When your pool is not in use during the daylight, a solar cover will help to retain heat, and will use the warmth of your pool to continue to heat up the water. By leaving a solar heater on your pool at night, it acts as an insulating cover that prevents heat loss when the temperature dips. This is especially helpful in the early and late days of the swimming season, when evening temperatures can get very low.
When the weather is sunny and optimal, and your pool has good sun exposure, a solar blanket can help to boost the temperature in your pool by up to 17 degrees.
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In The Swim Ultra 16 Mil Solar Cover: Best Solar Pool Cover Overall
Reasons to avoid
The In The Swim Ultra 16 Mil Solar Cover is thick and durable, so its sure to withstand nature and keep your pool safe, clean, and warm. This solar pool cover is round-shaped and it has been designed to protect your pool and keep the water warm.
The top layer of this blanket is made of polyethylene while the aluminized bottom layer with its tiny air-filled pockets keeps your water insulated. Your pool can be a full 10 to 15 degrees warmer thanks to this thick blanket. The aluminized bottom layer reflects heat back into the water so youre not going to waste any sunlight.
This solar pool cover is excellent value for money considering its eight-year warranty and thickness of it. There arent many reviews for this cover, however, one user described it as heavy-duty.
What Is The Best Color To Choose When It Comes To A Solar Cover For Your Inground Pool
![400B Blue Solar Pool Cover 400B Blue Solar Pool Cover](https://www.lovemypoolclub.com/wp-content/uploads/400b-blue-solar-pool-cover-daisy-pool-covers.jpeg)
As covered above, Solar pool covers are available in several degrees of thickness. In general blue solar covers are lighter and less think than clear or non-colored solar pool covers, this makes them more durable and usually better at heating your inground swimming pool.
Blue solar covers often measure 4 mils and 8 mils . Clear solar covers can measure 12 mils and 16 mils .
Thicker pool covers can be more on the pricey end compared to their thinner blue counterparts. We recommend picking one of our top 3 options we tested and reviewed in detail above based on your budget and how long you want your solar pool cover to last.
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What Is A Solar Pool Cover
A solar pool cover is basically a large solar blanket. It is similar to very strong bubble wrap that floats on the surface of the pool. It doesnt need to be attached to the pool as the surface tension, and its weight, holds it onto the pool surface. In 6 years of having a solar pool cover mine has never been blown out of the pool or even been lifted and we get some pretty strong winds here.
It has bubbles on one side and a strong flat layer on the other. The bubbles help to act as an insulator to stop heat transfer out of the pool.
A solar pool cover is different from a pool cover. A pool cover is intended to cover the entire pool to protect it during the winter and/or to prevent children or pets from falling in.
Where Do You Buy Solar Pool Covers
Our team agrees that the easiest place to buy a solar pool cover is online, due to the often cheaper prices and variety of options available. We recommend Amazon, In The Swim, or PoolSupplies.com. If you prefer to shop in-store, Home Depot or Leslies Pool Supplies are good options if you have a location nearby.
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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.
Are Solar Pool Covers Safe
Solar pool covers are safe to use and can be helpful in keeping your pool at a nice temperature, as well as keeping out debris. However, theyre not the only safeguarding measure you should take as part of your pool maintenance when its not in use. They need to be used together with other precautions, such as a pool net or fence, to prevent dangerous accidents from occurring. Thats especially important if you have young children or pets near the pool when its not in use.
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How Long Will A Solar Pool Cover Last
Generally the thicker the cover the longer it will last. If you store the solar cover under cover or away from UV rays over winter and take care with it during the summer you may get 5 years out of it but it could be as little as 3 years.
I have to say this is one of my one bugbears with solar pool covers. Their one function in life is to be in full sunshine and float on water containing strong chemicals so why cant they be designed to withstand that better. Why cant the manufacturers solve this problem? But thats just me I guess.
Over time the UV light starts to rot the plastic and it starts to disintegrate. Individual bubbles start to come away . You just have to bite the bullet and replace it at that point.
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.
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Protect The Pool From Debris & Bugs
If you dont cover your pool, you risk leaving it exposed to a number of elements. Leaves, debris, and even bugs can fall into the water. This can risk damaging your filter. Also, as a solar cover maintains a steady temperature, it can reduce the chance of mildew developing inside the pool as a result of uneven temperatures.
Should I Take My Solar Cover Off During The Day
![525B Blue Solar Pool Cover 525B Blue Solar Pool Cover](https://www.lovemypoolclub.com/wp-content/uploads/525b-blue-solar-pool-cover-daisy-pool-covers.jpeg)
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.
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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.
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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What To Consider Before Choosing The Solar Pool Cover:
The solar pool covers are like plastic sheets used on different pools, that include in-ground and above-ground swimming pools of variable shapes and sizes. Without proper guidance, you may end up buying the wrong product. So, we are here with a guide that explains how to choose your best solar pool cover, as per your requirement.
Lets get into the details of what factors to consider while shopping for solar pool covers.
Save Energy Costs And Water By Reducing Evaporation
A solar cover uses nothing but the suns natural energy to keep your pool at a warm temperature. Even if you already have an additional heating element such as a pool heater, a solar cover can help prevent the heat from escaping.
In turn, it can save you on heating costs. You can save even more if you have enough steady sunlight to not even require another heating element. Another thing you can save with a quality solar cover is water. The cover can help reduce the evaporation that naturally occurs. In turn, you wont have to replace the water as frequently.
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Cover Thickness And Color
Solar pool covers vary in thickness and it should be no surprise to hear that when it comes to the best pool solar cover thickness, the thicker it is the overall heat increase is likely to be higher. The lighter the color of the cover, or the clarity, will also result in more heat entering the pool .
Blue Wave Ns520 Solar Pool Cover
Present at the top, we have a solar pool cover coming from one of the most popular brands in the market. The blue wave NS520 is a highly premium solar pool cover that offers great performance.
Our 1st pick for the best solar pool cover is the Blue Wave NS520 pool cover. It is made up of 14 millimeter thick plastic material, which easily covers a rectangular pool sizing up to 16 x 32 feet. Blue wave is claiming up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit rise in water temperature upon installation. As there are thermal bubbles present all over the cover, it manages to minimize the heat loss along with up to 95% reduced evaporation.
As the pool cover has innovative cells, you can rest assured that your pool will feel quite warm even at night time. The Blue Wave NS520 is highly premium and durable as it can withstand ultraviolet rays and chemicals used in swimming pools. Thus, it is not only an ideal choice for your swimming pool but also an environmentally friendly option altogether. Blue wave is providing up to 6 years of warranty on this solar pool cover.
Best Features
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Are Solar Swimming Pool Covers Worth It
Solar covers are incredibly efficient at helping heat up your pool while retaining this heat and ensuring you don’t have to rely as much on more expensive or less efficient pool heaters.
Like any other kind of cover, solar covers will also stop anything from getting into your water, decrease debris and the need for additional cleaning or swimming pool chemicals. Additionally, when your pool is covered like this, you reduce the risk of evaporation and chemical consumption.
When you combine solar covers with swimming pool solar heating, youll have a wonderfully eco-friendly and efficient heating system on your hands!
Read our more in-depth guide to solar swimming pool covers to find out more about their benefits.
How Long Does A Solar Pool Cover Last
![525B Blue Solar Pool Cover 525B Blue Solar Pool Cover](https://www.lovemypoolclub.com/wp-content/uploads/525b-blue-solar-pool-cover-daisy-pool-covers.jpeg)
Because a solar cover is made of plastic material, it will begin to deteriorate after a while. Also, because of the outside elements and chemicals in your pool, the pool cover will begin to dry around the corners and the bubbles will start to deflate as well. High-quality solar pool covers can remain in good quality condition for about 4-5 years on average.
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Sun2solar Solar Pool Cover
The performance of a solar pool cover is highly dependent on its build quality and heat-trapping ability. Hence, we are including a high-performance solar pool cover from Sun2Solar, which offers a 1200 series solar pool cover.
As a solar pool cover is kept in a swimming pool for the majority of time, you should also consider the design of the cover. If you are interested in a good looking cover, look no further. The Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover is one of the most attractive solar covers available on our picks as it is made up of thousands of tiny bubbles spread all over the blanket. It is a 4 x 8-foot solar pool cover which manages to retain heat and keep the pool warm at all times. After applying the cover, you will notice nearly 95% lesser water evaporation in the pool.
The Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover can also be attached to a dedicated roller to make it easier for application. Also, it can be easily trimmed according to your preference and the shape of the pool. Make sure you keep the bubble side towards the water while placing the solar pool cover. There is an 8 years long warranty available for the Sun2Solar Blue Rectangle Solar Cover, which is retained even after trimming the cover for your pool size.
Best Features
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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