Solar Pool Covers - The Cheapest Way to Cut Swimming Pool Heating Costs

Solar covers are an effective and economic way(e.g. 400 or 500 micron) polyethylene which
to protect a pool from evaporative heat lossincludes a protective UV inhibitor. As a general
whilst ensuring that debris and vegetation areguide, the more expensive the cover, the higher
kept out of the water.the thermal performance and the greater the
Because a swimming pool has such a largeresulting energy savings.
surface area of water it loses its heat energy atCover operation
an alarmingly fast rate. In fact it has been shownThe pool cover is usually stretched across the
that, by covering a heated pool with a solarswimming area and secured using fasteners. Most
blanket when it is not in use, it is possible tocovers are easily fitted and removed with the aid
reduce heating costs by over 60%.of a roller and winding mechanism at one end of
This is a massive saving and one that may paythe pool (which can be motorised).
for the complete cost of the solar cover severalThe alternatives include a having a series of lugs
times over in a single swimming season.located around the perimeter (to which the cover
How solar covers workcan be secured), or the using of a number of
Solar covers (sometimes called blankets) aresmall floating solar and thermal modular cover
designed for the optimization of waterunits that can be thrown in to the water during
temperature control and they can be consideredinactive periods.
to be a "passive" form of solar heating.Further advantages of pool covers
The blanket works by preventing evaporationSolar blankets have other benefits besides
which in turn results in a higher retention of heatreducing water evaporation. They offer UV
energy within the swimming pool's water volume.protection that shields and enhances the life of a
Solar covers can also raise the temperature ofswimming pool liner and, in the case of the higher
the water by about 15 degrees on a sunny day.quality covers, provide genuine thermal heat
This is achieved because the cover not onlyinsulation properties (in addition to evaporation
retains the heat stored in the water, but it alsoprevention properties).
passes the energy of the sun's rays into the poolBy protecting a pool from falling and air bound
to raise the temperature above that of itsdebris, solar covers reduce both cleaning time and
surroundings. i.e. It takes the sun's rays andthe amount of money spent on cleaning chemicals
distributes them back into the water as heat.and general maintenance.
Most pool covers are made from a high grade