Swimming pools lose energy in a variety of ways, but evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss. You can significantly reduce pool heating costs by using a pool cover.
A Solar Pool Cover is the least expensive way to keep your pool water warm and extend the length of your swimming season.
One of the lowest cost covers made specifically for swimming pools is the bubble (or solar) cover. Bubble covers are similar to bubble packing material except they use a thicker grade of plastic and have UV inhibitors. The bubbles trap heat from the sun and keep the heat in the pool, keeping the water temperature warm and inviting.
It’s best to use a cover designed specifically for swimming
pools. They’re made of special materials, such as UV-stabilized polyethylene,
polypropylene, or vinyl. They can be transparent or opaque. Covers can even be
light or dark colored. Vinyl
covers consist of a heavier material and have a longer life
expectancy than bubble covers. Insulated vinyl covers are also available with a
thin layer of flexible insulation sandwiched between two layers of vinyl.
Outdoor pools gain heat from the sun, absorbing 75%–85% of the
solar energy striking the pool surface. This is an important contribution to
the pool’s heating needs. A pool cover will decrease the solar gain
contribution to some extent, depending on what type you use. A transparent
bubble cover may reduce pool solar energy absorption by 5%–15%. A completely
opaque cover will reduce it by 20%–40%. You need to consider this when
selecting a pool cover.
You
also need to decide whether you want a manual, semi-automatic, or an automatic
pool cover. You can manually pull the cover on and off, fold it, and place it
somewhere out of the way. You can also purchase a pool cover reel to help
manually roll up the pool cover. The reel, usually on wheels, can be rolled out
of the way.
Semi-automatic
covers use a motor-driven reel system. 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. Semi-automatic
covers can be built into the pool deck surrounding the pool or can use reels on
carts.
Automatic
covers have permanently mounted reels that automatically cover and uncover the
pool at the push of a button. They’re the most expensive option, but they’re
also the most convenient.
Other Pool Cover Benefits
Besides offering
energy savings, pool covers also do the following:
Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%–50%
Reduce the pool’s chemical consumption by 35%–60%
Reduce cleaning time by keeping dirt and other debris out of the pool.
