Solar Pool Covers ... Free Running Costs, Use the Sun

All Solar Pool Covers are of the same basic design, and can be best described as giant pieces of bubble wrap. In the case of pool covers the bubble wrap is specifically manufactured to be much stronger than normal bubble wrap and is usually colored blue, though there are some covers that are black and others that have one surface aluminized. Solar pool covers are floated on the surface of a swimming pool bubble side down. Bubbles are said to trap heat from the sun and to transmit it to the pool, but whether or not they actually cause the temperature of a pool to rise is a matter of some argument - certainly they are not the best way of heating a swimming pool, solar pool panels are by far the most efficient at that.

Without doubt though solar pool covers do function in preventing excessive heat loss. The bubbles  in the cover act as an insulating layer above the surface of the pool and prevent heat loss through radiation at night. In this way they can apparently appear to raise the temperature of a pool by 10ºF to 15ºF. It is claimed though that a cover will actually raise the temperature of a pool by that amount. A black colored cover, if covering the pool in daytime,  will arguably absorb more heat from the sun during the day and transmit some of it to the pool at night.

A solar pool cover, if left on the pool during daytime, will prevent water loss by evaporation, reducing it by as much as 95%. They will prevent absorbed chlorine gas from escaping into the atmosphere, thereby saving on the cost of pool chemicals. Covers have an added advantage in Fall in that they prevent unwanted debris from falling into the pool.

If purchasing a solar pool cover, it is well worth while getting a reel. Pool covers can be very heavy and extremely difficult for one person to handle. A reel to wind the cover on to makes covering and stowing of the cover so much easier. When purchasing your pool cover, go for the heaviest material - covers can tear easily and the stronger the cover, the better. Some covers come with a warranty so try to make sure that the cover you purchase carries one.

To sum up, solar pool covers will prevent heat loss, reduce evaporation, save on chemicals and keep your pool cleaner. Above all you will enjoy a longer swimming season.