Many swimming pool owners know first and how well pool covers can maintain the pool temperature. They’ve also witnessed how pool covers prevent heat evaporation and water evaporation.
However, there are other benefits of solar pool covers that you may not be aware of.
There are also some concerns that you should take into consideration before purchasing one. In this blog post, we discuss the pros and cons of solar pool covers, so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not they’re right for your needs!
What Is a Solar Pool Cover?
A solar cover is a sheet of plastic material, also known as a solar blanket, which is designed to trap heat in your pool. This sheet heats your pool water with solar rays and can keep the water temperature at a comfortable level throughout the cooler months of the year.
Do solar pool covers work? Solar blankets are an excellent method to keep your swimming pool water warmer for longer periods while saving money on energy bills. This is because the solar blanket prevents heat from escaping too quickly, preventing costly heating expenses.
Pros and Cons of Pool Covers
Pros of Solar Blankets
The pros of using a solar blanket include the following:
Heat Retention
After trapping heat obtained from direct sunlight, a solar blanket serves as a pool heater that helps in the prevention of heat loss. This helps keep your pool warm, and it retains the warm water temperature for longer.
Water Retention
A solar cover acts as a barrier between the pool surface and the air, reducing water loss through evaporation. When the pool surface is exposed to air and wind, it evaporates.
Water molecules rise from the top of the water and coalesce into vapor before escaping into the atmosphere.
Protection from Dirt
Using a solar blanket also helps in keeping your pool clean by giving it protection against dirt and debris entering the water. A solar cover protects the water from leaves, insects, fruits, and other objects that may enter it.
Therefore, regardless of the weather condition, the pool’s water will be clear when the cover is removed. Pool owners can spend more time enjoying their pools and less time maintaining them since the pool will require less cleaning.
Prevention of Accidents
Placing a solar cover over a pool is very helpful in preventing pets and kids from drowning accidentally in pools when there are no adults around to monitor their activities.
Maintaining Chemical Balance
A solar pool cover helps to maintain the effectiveness of pool chemicals by keeping direct sunlight from affecting chlorine levels.
Energy and Cost Savings
Heat retention helps you save money on energy costs and extend your swimming season. Solar covers are environmentally friendly and energy-saving options for warming your pool.
Cons of Solar Blankets
The cons of using a solar blanket include the following:
May be Pricey
The price of solar pool covers is perhaps the most important consideration. Solar cover prices can be rather expensive, especially if you have a large pool.
In addition, because solar covers may be unwieldy and difficult to unroll by hand, many pool owners choose automatic or semi-automatic wraps that use electricity to unfold the cover. If you do not have an extra for that, you can also make use of a DIY solar cover reel.
Solar covers that use these technologies are the most expensive and may not be suitable for everyone’s budget. Despite the higher purchase price, a solar cover may save a pool owner enough energy expenses to pay for itself after just one year. You might also want to check how long do solar pool covers last.
Might Be Non-Effective Unless It’s the Right Size
Solar covers, like any other pool cover, come in a variety of sizes to suit most pools. Pools with unusual shapes or that are larger than normal may not have many alternatives. However, you do not need to worry about the size if you are using the best liquid solar pool cover.
A conventional solar cover may not be big enough to fit a lagoon-style pool or another unique design. As a result, a custom-sized solar cover must be acquired instead of a regular one, which can be more expensive.
May Accelerate Algae Growth
Research has shown that algae growth in pools is strongest when the bacteria receive 10-15 hours of sunlight daily and if the water temperature stays anywhere between 60-80° Fahrenheit.
So, while a solar pool cover won’t directly cause green algae to grow in your water, if your water or pool cover already has spores, the increase in the water temperature could rapidly accelerate the spread of bacteria, thereby turning your pool green. You should know how to clean pool cover properly to avoid such issues.
Conclusion
Solar pool covers are an excellent method for keeping your pool clean and warm. However, there are several advantages and disadvantages to consider before purchasing a solar cover.
Ultimately, you should weigh the pros and cons of solar pool covers to determine whether or not you should get one and what type you should choose.
Are there any other benefits or drawbacks of solar blankets? Share in the comment section below!
