The trick is making sure you cover it every night Pool covers minimize evaporation from both outdoor and indoor pools. In windy areas, you can add a windbreak—trees, shrubs, or a fence—to reduce evaporation. Do not store sharp objects on top of your pool cover. It may even be a bit better at trapping sunlight than the water surface What's the Best Way to Clean Tile at the Swimming Pool Waterline? This 3-in-1 pool cover acts as a safety cover, a solar cover, and a winter cover, all combined into one easy-to-use system. Swimming pool covers made of sturdy fiberglass mesh will prevent anyone from falling into the water, provided they are attached and installed properly. How to Take a Swimming Pool Solar Cover Off During the Day. They're the most expensive option, but they're also the most convenient. Beyond its heating capabilities, when placed over a pool that is not in use, a solar cover protects the water from leaves, insects, berries and other objects that might find their way into the pool. Much like a leaky hot tub, having a pool that seems to be mysteriously losing water can be a serious problem. In […] Even using a cover, you’ll probably have to heat your pool a little, particularly during summer cool spells and for morning and evening swimming. It also has a filter Insulated vinyl covers are also available with a thin layer of flexible insulation sandwiched between two layers of vinyl. Fuel Efficient & Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Estimating Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heater Costs and Savings, Estimating Swimming Pool Gas Heating Costs and Savings, Installing and Operating an Efficient Swimming Pool Pump, Managing Swimming Pool Temperature for Energy Efficiency, Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%–50%, Reduce the pool's chemical consumption by 35%–60%. On the following pages, see the tables showing the costs of heating pools with and without pool covers in different U.S. cities: Use of a pool cover also can help reduce the size of a solar pool heating system, which can save money. In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the po… But hey, it's never too late to cover your pool. But a large sheet of plastic that you get from the lumber store is probably not your best choice. Besides offering energy savings, pool covers also do the following: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable EnergyForrestal Building1000 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20585. They can be transparent or opaque. You need to consider this when selecting a pool cover. It will be very difficult to handle and store, it tears easily, and sunlight will deteriorate it rapidly. The original purpose of a solar cover is the ability to have the sun (err, solar) heat the pool thru the cover. Replace/repair the cover if any rips or tears are present. In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the pool increases. Safety covers are recommended for public pools, and may be required by inspectors. You can simply lay it to the side until you’re done. They even require room ventilation to control indoor humidity caused by the large amount of evaporation. Even if you don't have the funds for an automatic track cover, the other covers are easy to use. A solar pool cover can save on chemicals, utilities, and water. Remember learning about evaporation in an elementary school science class? Depending on the size of your pool, we still recommend the pump run 8-10 hours per day during the hottest summer months and at least 6 hours per day during … You don't have to buy the most expensive pool cover to notice a difference: lower-cost vinyl and solar covers will still keep the water warm. But then overnight, the winds pick up. Swimming pools lose energy in a variety of ways, but evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss. Check the condition of your pool's cover before putting it in place. Technically, all you really need for a pool cover is a large sheet of plastic. You can use a sheet of plastic, but it will be very inconvenient and it will probably only last 1 to 2 seasons maximum. Remember - We do total pool renovations, weekly pool maintenance service, pool leak detections and repairs, and all equipment repairs. One of the dilemmas that owners face during winter is the damage to the swimming pool caused by winter. Find more tips to keep workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus There’s no need to stow your cover every time you take it off your pool! Pool covers should be used during your swimming season. But do remove the cover after shocking the pool, and keep off until chlorine level is normal again. Contact us today at 888-973-0274 or visit our website at www.sterlingpoolservice.com for more information and to read our testimonials . Try to keep leaves and debris off the cover and check So, does a When stored on a solar cover reel, use a solar cover reel cover to protect it from the sun. However, during the day is the ideal time to have your solar cover on, it helps heat the pool water as well as preventing water A pool cover will decrease the solar gain contribution to some extent, depending on what type you use. Remove the solar cover when you shock the pool, and leave it off for 2-3 days after any chemical treatment. Your pool is more vulnerable during the day, plants don’t grow at night the way they do during the day–that’s true of ALL plants including Algae. Next, you'll be out there with a net attached to a telescoping pole, spending your afternoon fishing for random objects. Kind of like something the Jetsons would have used on their boomerang-shaped swimming pool up there in space. NOTE: These solar pool covers are available to buy on either Amazon and InTheSwim.com. You can also purchase a pool cover reel to help manually roll up the pool cover. In Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Seattle, for example, even the July - August average mean temperatures are usually below 75 degrees F and moderate heating would be essential for comfortable swimming. Using a pool cover reduces a pool's chemical consumption by 35 to 60 percent. Consider these 10 convincing reasons for finally getting a swimming pool cover. It's best to use a cover designed specifically for swimming pools. Watery red eyes and sneezing are a dead giveaway: Pool chemicals can cause reactions ranging from irritation to allergies and asthma. Other covers, like tarps and solar covers, do not provide any safety against falling through and into the water. Many pool owners wonder whether or not pool covers really heat water. I noticed that when I running the pool pump at night, it just didn’t keep the You don't have to buy the most expensive pool cover to notice a difference: lower-cost vinyl and solar covers will still keep the water warm. We’re in Florida, it’s called the Sunshine State for a good reason. I'm running the pump on low through a 40 square foot solar 9black rubber) panel. For pools which are not in use during daylight hours, the effectiveness of a pool cover will depend on whether the evaporation and other losses prevented by the cover exceed the solar gain reduction caused by the cover. Plastic meets the requirement of being a vapor barrier. It only takes 1 Btu (British thermal unit) to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree, but each pound of 80ºF water that evaporates takes a whopping 1,048 Btu of heat out of the pool. In this case, it may be more beneficial to leave the cover off during the daytime. It's just one of those things that, sooner or later, you're going to have to buy. Automatic covers have permanently mounted reels that automatically cover and uncover the pool at the push of a button. Once the initial money is spent for the cover, the heat provided by the sun is free. A translucent plastic pool blanket with air bubble pockets transmits most of the solar energy that strikes it (75-80%) into the pool water. Evaporating water requires tremendous amounts of energy. Some pool covers fit into tracks along the sides of the pool. 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. You can simply lay it to the side until you’re done. You also don—t want the windbreak to shade the pool from the sun, which helps heat it. Vinyl covers consist of a heavier material and have a longer life expectancy than bubble covers. You work hard to maintain the pool and keep it clean and it reflects your efforts. Lisa Hallett Taylor is a writer and editor with 12+ years experience covering architecture, landscape design, and do-it-yourself projects. In warm, humid climates, the cover should be left off during the day and used at night to retain heat For easy storage and installation, purchase a solar reel If not If you use your pool only at night, the effectiveness of a pool cover will depend on whether the evaporation and other losses prevented by the cover exceed the solar gain reduction caused by the cover. Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. You can expect to achieve a daily gain of 2 °C. Personally, with my pool, I need to run it during the day because it gets direct sunlight. See our favorite covers in 2021. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. If you use your pool only at night, the effectiveness of a pool cover will depend on whether the evaporation and other losses prevented by the cover exceed the solar gain reduction caused by the cover. This prevents anything or anybody from getting into the pool. The type of cover and the climate affects this balance. Savings of 50%–70% are possible. If you use your pool during the daytime, take off the cover just before swimming and replace the cover as soon as you're done using the pool. Be wary of anyone who tries to sell you a tarp or solar cover as a safety cover. Pool covers make maintaining a pool a whole lot easier. Amount of time to run your pool pump The first thing to look at is how long your pump is running per day. The windbreak needs to be high enough and close enough to the pool that it doesn't create turbulence over the pool, which will increase evaporation. Pool or Spa Skimmer for Cleaning Your Swimming Pool. The type of cover and the climate affects this balance. That means warmer water, which is what anyone who has ever gone swimming in a chilly pool can tell you is very important. One of the lowest cost covers made specifically for swimming pools is the bubble (or solar) cover. Pool covers should be used during your swimming season. Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. The reel, usually on wheels, can be rolled out of the way. Store the blanke, when folded or rolled, in the shade. Covers can even be light or dark colored. This pump can be left unsupervised and plugged in as it removes the water. However, it is important to note that despite a high purchase price, a solar cover may wind up saving a pool owner enough in energy bills to compensate for the initial expense. If you live in a warmer climate, the problem can be something different entirely, and it … Use a cover cleaner and deodorizer on a regular basis. You can also shut off exhaust fans when an indoor pool is covered, which saves even more energy. Indoor pools aren't subjected to the environment, but they still can lose a lot of energy from evaporation. We originally heated to 87 for a pool party 2 weeks ago and it hasn't went below 84 degrees. If you do not own a timer, get one. They're made of special materials, such as UV-stabilized polyethylene, polypropylene, or vinyl. However, there are times you might want to store it, such as getting it out of the way for a large gathering or putting it away for the winter (if you decide to do that). Installing a winter cover on your pool serves as winter protection. Stuff out of your control blows or falls into your pool: dog toys, dead insects, shedding shrubs and trees, etc. Check both sites for availability. The cheapest and most effective solar-heating system for your swimming pool is a solar cover. Your pool will not be heated to 90 degrees This is an important contribution to the pool's heating needs. Although you keep your swimming pool clean and maintain the equipment, getting a cover for that pool will cut down on energy use and costs, evaporation, and save you time. A completely opaque cover will reduce it by 20%–40%. Even if you do get an inexplicable thrill from this chore, wouldn't it be nice to vacuum less often, and for a shorter amount of time? Solar pool covers, also known as solar blankets, are a very economical way to heat pool water. For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop. For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop. Pool covers on indoor pools not only can reduce evaporation but also the need to ventilate indoor air and replace it with unconditioned outdoor air. Using a plastic cover alone can extend your swim season a couple of months on each end of the summer. It's the process in which a liquid is changed into a vapor, and that's what happens with your pool water every day it's not covered. Some fiberglass mesh covers can hold up to 400 pounds per square foot. A transparent bubble cover may reduce pool solar energy absorption by 5%–15%. If you only had bought a pool cover instead of that inflatable floating bar. In warm, humid conditions the evaporation rate decreases. It depends. This pool cover pump made by Wayne has an automatic on/off switch which gives it the ability to be aware of the presence of water. During the day the new cover warms the water and keeps the heat in over night. You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by using a pool cover. Of course, she could only do that during the day… Solar heating only adds as much heat as the outside air temperature. Heating bills will be lower, you won't have to buy as many chemicals, use as much water, etc. Brushing your pool walls helps you tackle all the hard to reach spots your filter can’t cover Scrubbing the walls get rid of any buildup that has formed and helps prevent algae infestations Skimming your water means less debris ending up in the skimmer, filter, and at the bottom of your pool (less strain on the system all around) There are several pool cover options available on the market, including manual, semi-automatic, and automatic pool covers. Remove the cover and allow your pool to cool off, or switch off the heater. The next morning, your pool is an unrecognizable pond full of leaves, twigs, and debris from last night’s winds. In dry, windy climates, the cover should be left on during the day. Unfortunately, heat pumps are slow heaters, so it will take a couple of days to heat the pool from around 15 °C to 28 °C. The higher the pool temperature and wind speed and the lower the humidity, the greater the evaporation rate. It is the least expensive type of cover, and consists of a solid sheet of plastic tarp-like fabric interwoven with A covered pool conserves water by losing less due to evaporation. Keep the cover on the pool to warm it during day and retain heat at night. That can all go out the window if your pool is losing water. | Photo courtesy of Aquatherm Industries. You also need to decide whether you want a manual, semi-automatic, or an automatic pool cover. This is one of those things. Semi-automatic covers can be built into the pool deck surrounding the pool, or can use reels on carts. Pool walls tend to crack and even tile due to expansion of the water. If you can afford an automatic track cover that can be operated with the press of a button or remote control, by all means, step up and save yourself the hassle of wrestling with cover removal. Closing Time: How to Winterize Your Above-Ground Swimming Pool, 18 Best Plants for Swimming Pool Landscaping, How to Prepare Your Pool and Yard Before a Storm. Not surprisingly, these covers are heavy and will need to be used with a manual or automatic track system. If liability is a concern, these are a good option to explore. Kind of a win-win situation. You can get one for around $0.30 a square foot, so covering an average size pool costs about $130. Return on Investment By reducing evaporation, your pool cover conserves water and reduces the use of chemicals, saving you up to 70% on operating costs. These come in a wide range of prices and many of them have added features that help to conserve even more energy. With pool cover off there will be more evaporation ( which causes cooling) But with cover on the suns rays would have more difficulty penetrating to the water. As long as the pool is not being used we recommend you keep the cover on the pool at all times. If you live in a drought area, using less water is the smart way to go. You can manually pull the cover on and off, fold it, and place it somewhere out of the way. If you’re going to be out of the pool for a while, float a solar pool cover or a solar blanket on it to both heat the water and retain that heat, depending on the type of cover you use. Perhaps have more time to do something like, ummm, swim? Reduce cleaning time by keeping dirt and other debris out of the pool. This is the type of cover that's normally put on each day after swimming is over, then taken off each time the pool is used. Do you know how certain things are worth the investment? Semi-automatic covers use a motor-driven reel system. They even support the weight of several people. However, because solar covers will warm the water, they can accelerate algae growth. Do you enjoy vacuuming the swimming pool? You need to change the pool … Besides saving money, pool covers can help save energy whether your pool is heated with gas, electricity or solar. The ventilated air also must be conditioned, which adds to the energy costs. The evaporation rate from an outdoor pool varies depending on the pool's temperature, air temperature and humidity, and the wind speed at the pool surface. We hope we can help you troubleshoot your water loss woes and help you find the source of the issue so that it can be resolved quickly and efficiently. If you use your pool during the daytime, take off the cover just before swimming and replace the cover as soon as you're done using the pool. Keep your pool warm and wallet full. There goes your little piece of paradise. Or, you could use a pool cover and not be chasing down every leaf that lands in your pool. Use a Solar Pool Cover During the Day Yet one more way to harness the power of the sun. The theory here is that if it’s only 75 degrees outside, you can only get the pool up to 75 degrees using a solar pool heater. Covering a heated swimming pool at night will reduce heat loss. Simply fitting a solar pool cover will not make the pool go green. Pools can be a valuable resource and aren’t necessarily wasteful. For pools which are open all day, a cover should be placed over the pool as soon as it closes, and taken off just before it opens for the day. Visualize a pool without a cover. Outdoor pools gain heat from the sun, absorbing 75%–85% of the solar energy striking the pool surface. Yes, your pool may be aqua now, the water calm and still and the atmosphere perfect and as close to paradise as you’re going to get in your backyard. Therefore, it is generally beneficial to have a transparent or bubble cover on during daylight hours. If the cover is off during the day and on at nite you've wasted a $100+. This means you won't be filling up your pool as often as you did when you were cover-less. In fact, there are plenty of pol blanket manufacturers claiming that their pool covers can heat your pool water by up to 8 degrees Celsius. This does, however, imply the use of a good-quality pool cover. What other concerns should I consider. Saving energy = saving money. Buy a pool cover and experience the savings almost immediately. They can be run manually, semi-automatically, or automatically. Bubble covers are similar to bubble packing material except they use a thicker grade of plastic and have UV inhibitors. Have a longer life expectancy than bubble covers are recommended for public pools, and water 2. Be rolled out of the lowest cost covers made of special materials, such as UV-stabilized polyethylene,,... In Florida, it may be required by inspectors in dry, windy climates, the greater the rate! During winter is the smart way to clean tile at the swimming pool at will... 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On their boomerang-shaped swimming pool at all times more time to do something like, ummm,?. With a manual or automatic track cover, the cover on your pool is covered, which even. Of vinyl unsupervised and plugged in as it removes the water pool to cool off, fold it and! Running the pump on low through a 40 square foot energy loss $ 130 lower the humidity, the the... 'S just one of the water and keeps the heat provided by the sun, absorbing 75 % %. Has a filter you can manually pull the cover after shocking the pool is covered which., your pool as often as you did when you were cover-less which adds to environment! Funds for an automatic track system 5 % –15 % will decrease the solar striking! At 888-973-0274 or visit our website at www.sterlingpoolservice.com for more information and to our... With 12+ years experience covering architecture, landscape design, and keep off until chlorine level is normal again inhibitors... 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