Solar covers are a popular choice for people who look for heating systems for their pool. So if you are searching to buy heating systems, then you should get a solar blanket or cover. There are many advantages and features to look out for in a solar blanket. Let’s go through the basic types and qualities of solar coverings and their advantages to you.
Solar Covers are a viable option as they are cheaper and effective. They save almost 50-70 percent of the money. Furthermore, they help in maintaining lesser heat loss of pool water. Moreover, it also ensures to prevent evaporation. It also provides that no debris causes the pool to get dirty. It also acts as a safety blanket for children and is easy to remove.
There are many factors to consider if you are thinking about the perfect heating system for your pool. In this article, I will talk about all the necessary details about the benefits that a solar cover will provide to your pool. So, if you’re wondering ‘Should I Get A Solar Cover For My Pool,’ this article will hopefully help you make your final decision before your purchase.
Advantages of Solar Cover
There are many advantages that a solar cover provides. It keeps your pool water warm at a cheaper cost. It also minimizes the amount of evaporation. Furthermore, it ensures that no algae or debris can grow in the pool. Moreover, it is easier to remove and install. Solar Covers are also energy efficient as it does not require energy from gas or electric heat pumps.
Retention of Heat
The cover functions as a lid. It traps the heat and keeps the water of the pool heated up. Because you will lose less heat to the environment, your current heating system will perform more efficiently.
Maintaining the temperature is always more efficient, and a solar cover can help you achieve just that. A liquid solar trap may be effective for a short period of time, but it is not a long-term solution.
Saving Energy
You can save a lot of energy using Solar Covers. The average consumption of energy is about 400,000 BTUs, which equals to an amount of 4 gallons of propane per hour. On the other hand, energy consumption is also significant for a heat pump that is electric. Almost 3KW-6KW energy is consumed per hour.
But if you get yourself a solar cover, you do not have to worry about any of these significant energy consumption bills. As a result, you will be able to save a lot of money and energy.
Minimizing Evaporation
The evaporation of water is a huge problem for pool owners. If your pool has no cover system, then you can lose up to almost 15000 to 20000 gallons of water each year. This can cost you a fortune.
Getting a solar cover would ensure that you do not face this excessive water loss. Furthermore, evaporation also results in a huge portion of heat loss. Thus, getting yourself would not only save you a huge amount of water but also retain your pool’s heat.
Prevention of Algae and Debris
Another advantage of a solar blanket is that it keeps dirt out of your pool, reducing the amount of time you spend cleaning it. A solar cover reduces the number of leaves, branches, and other debris.
As a result, you will spend less time cleaning your pool. Moreover, this would also ensure less money trying to get rid of algae growth and other problems.
Things To Consider Before Getting Solar Cover
You should look out for specific characteristics in a solar cover. Before making the final purchase, you should properly check out traits such as thickness, size, price point, warranty, UV resistance, etc.
Value & Warranty
Solar Covers are usually all within the same price range. You should check and compare all the features of different types of solar covers and choose the most suitable one for your pool.
Furthermore, you should make sure that your solar covers come with a warranty. Especially if you plan to buy a more expensive solar cover model. This will ensure that you can replace your solar cover with a new one if that warranty is not met or expires earlier than mentioned.
Size & Thickness
You should buy a solar cover that is larger than your pool’s size. This will help you to trim and fit the solar blanket over the pool perfectly.
Solar coverings that are thicker are usually more lasting. A thickness of 14 mils or higher will survive a little longer and absorb a lot more damage than a 8 mils, but a thickness of 12 mils is around standard. The weight of a thicker cover, on the other hand, will be a drawback. If your cover is thick, you may require a retractor to hold it in place and wrap it up when necessary.
High UV Resistance
Transparent covers are the most effective as they allow more sun rays to go through and warm the water. However, you should opt for the one with good UV resistance to prevent damage to the plastic.
As a result, you should make sure to pick a solar cover that has a high UV resistance. Otherwise, the plastic can get damaged and cause problems.
Which Types of Solar Cover You Should Get?
There are different forms of solar covers to choose from. Types of solar covers that are good value for money are solar blankets, solar rings, and liquid solar covers. Each of them is unique in their regard and has different qualities.
Solar Blankets
Solar blankets are constructed up of thousands of small heat air bubbles that are evenly distributed all through the blanket. It helps to absorb the sun’s UV rays and keep your pool water nice and warm. They also aid in the retention of moisture from your water, which is even better for evaporation control than regular coverage.
The pros of a solar blanket are that it is lightweight and cheaper, and also efficient. The cons consist of the fact that it is comparatively larger and heavier, so hard to carry around. It is also not suitable to use as a safety cover.
Liquid Solar Covers
Liquid solar covers are a liquid chemical additive that comes in the form of a dispenser or pill. When added to the pool, it forms a layer on the surface that absorbs the heat from the sun and retains it, keeping the water of the pool warm.
The pros of liquid solar covers include that they are not expensive and are not large cover. As a result, it is easier to install it over the pool. Moreover, it is biodegradable. The cons are that it is necessary to buy them almost every month. Furthermore, you cannot use them with chlorine.
Solar Rings
The function of Solar rings is almost the same as that of the other solar covers. They help to retain the heat of the pool. But there is a difference, as solar rings are comparatively smaller and roundish in structure. So, it is possible to measure the exact amount required, rather than having to buy a cover that is bigger than the size of your pool.
Solar Rings use magnets to adhere to each other. You can easily lay them out on your pool to retain heat. The pros of Solar Rings are that it is easier to install in a pool, cheap, and reduces energy costs. The cons are that it is lesser efficient than the other coverings. It keeps out less debris too compared to other solar covers.
A solar cover acts as a cheaper alternative to an electric or gas pool heater. If you plan to retain your pool water’s heat for a long time, solar covers available are the best value for money available. Hopefully, this article has answered all your necessary queries if you were thinking, ‘Should I Get A Solar Cover For My Pool.’ Thank you for reading.
