In general, clear solar covers are best at heating water, while solid colors do better at keeping heat trapped in the water. Up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit of free heating can be obtained on a moderately sunny day with a clear or translucent cover. An opaque cover will allow the pool heater to run less during a cool night by maintaining water temperature. Pool Usage The “bubble side” of the cover is where the thinnest, most vulnerable material is. If it’s not possible to avoid sunlight, at least keep the bubble side protected. Either roll up or fold the cover so that the bubbles face inward. In a pool, chlorine is combined with other chemicals to give it some protection from UV rays, but it’s not a perfect system. Even with chemical protection, chlorine remains somewhat vulnerable. Solar pool covers provide another layer of protection against the loss of chlorine, meaning you’ll have to replace it less often. Cleanliness

Decent quality solar pool covers are built of either polyethylene resins or PVC vinyl. Polyethylene is a flexible yet fairly durable material, while vinyl is a bit more rigid but very durable. We offer a range of high performance ‘Guard’ swimming pool cover materials; Sol+Guard™, EnergyGuard™ and CoolGuard™. GeoBubble technology combined with these bubble cover materials will give you a longer lasting* swimming pool cover with the highest energy and chemical saving efficiencies. If having a large solar cover that always needs putting on a taking off the pool isn’t your thing, In the Swim has a unique set of items called Alternative solar covers. Liquid Solar Covers and Solar Sun Rings work to retain your pool’s heat without the need of having a large blanket on your pool that you always have to manage and move. Natural Chemistry’s COVERfree liquid solar cover is a popular and very effective item that also decreases water evaporation. The innovative Solar Sun rings hold insulating air to trap heat and use magnets to connect to each other to cover your pool for easy use. These floating rings are an excellent way to heat up your pool water and are easier to handle for a single person as each Solar Sun Ring is 5 ft. in diameter. The manufacturer recommends a minimum of 60% pool coverage or one Solar Sun Ring for every 50 square feet of surface area for optimal performance. If you don’t want to deal with putting and removing a big solar pool cover at all times, solar pool discs are an alternative that can also help you reduce evaporation and increase the temperature of your pool water. These inflatable solar pool covers from Solar Sun Rings feature a UV-resistant center that collects the sun's energy and heats the water underneath. While it may not cover as much surface area as a conventional solar pool cover (one five-foot ring is recommended per 50 square feet of water), it can still be an attractive option for small pools. If you plan on using solar discs in a larger pool, consider getting at least two or three sets. For a solar pool cover that is effective, easy to maneuver, and will minimize UV rays entering your pool water, consider the Robelle Heavy-Duty Blue Solar Pool Cover. The light blue color of this cover allows solar energy to heat your pool water without excessive degradation of your pool chemicals from strong UV exposure. We love that it's available in various sizes and shapes to fit round, rectangular, and oval pools and has a three-year warranty policy.If your pool is used often, or every day, you’ll want a cover that is flexible and easy to remove and reinstall (and if not, it’s a good idea to identify a pool installation company who can also help with pool covers). Polyethylene provides this flexibility but sacrifices some durability. Which means it will have to be replaced more often than vinyl. The more durable product is vinyl, which will last longer out in the elements, but takes a bit more effort to put on and take off. It’s great for use on pools that are only used a few times a month. Pool Base Material Light blue or deep blue is definitively the “it” color for a pool liner. Not only does it make your pool more picturesque, but a blue color also absorbs sunlight to help make the pool feel a little warmer. Air Bubbles There are some things you can do to slow the rate of deterioration and prolong the lifespan of your solar cover. They don’t stop the breakdown from happening, but can delay the process.

When a pool cover is made, UV protection is chemically added to the material to prolong its lifespan. This protection only lasts so long though. UV rays from the sun are very effective at breaking down the bonds that hold the cover together at the molecular level. Nature is quite powerful in this regard. Delamination and deterioration caused by exposure to the elements are not, under normal circumstances, considered a defect in manufacturing. These situations develop from normal pool cover use. Why Do They Not Last Long? Air bubbles in your pool liner can signify rising groundwater that seeps under the vinyl that pushes up the liner to cause air bubbles. Other causes could be an improper installation of the liner, damage from vacuuming the liner, or any other reason that would cause the liner to shift. UV Resistance To mimic the effect of a typical pool cover, the Coverfree solution works by creating a barrier on the surface of your pool water. It’s pH-neutral, invisible, and entirely safe for swimmers. The most significant advantage of using this liquid solar pool cover is that it saves you the time and hassle associated with removing and replacing bulky physical pool covers. However, it is worth keeping in mind that this solution will not protect your pool from UV rays or debris that may blow into the pool. Therefore, you will need a pool cleaner to keep your ground free of leaves and twigs. The Coverfree Liquid Solar Blanket comes in a 32-ounce bottle, and to use it effectively, you will need four ounces of the solution for every 20,000 gallons of pool water. For best results, we recommend using it on a weekly basis by adding it to the skimmer while your pool pump is running.The GeoBubble shape is scientifically designed specifically for use in a harsh swimming pool environment, and sets a new quality benchmark for all other swimming pool bubble cover materials.

When not in use, keep the cover out of the sun by placing it in a shelter or covering it with a protective cover. The most common type of solar cover is a solar blanket. Made with tiny thermal bubbles, they are excellent at retaining heat and water in pools. Liquid solar covers can be used to raise the pool's temperature without the hassle of installing and removing a conventional blanket or disc. A downside is that the water is exposed to debris like leaves and twigs.

Methodology

This solar pool cover measures 7 feet by 7 feet but can be trimmed to fit the size and shape of your hot tub. This may pose some challenges if your hot tub is circular in shape, as it may be harder to trim the cover to fit the round dimensions of your hot tub. Like solar covers for regular pools, this one also comes in a light blue color that minimizes the effect of UV rays on water chemistry, while the round bubbles allow for heat transfer to the water underneath. Keep in mind that this isn’t a replacement for a hot tub safety cover. Instead, it’s designed to be used on in-ground spas and hot tubs where you’re looking to minimize evaporation (up to 95 percent) and maximize heat retention. Just like the dust cover on grandma’s couch, a cover over the pool keeps debris from getting into it, which means less pool maintenance. With any pool cover in place, you’ll find yourself removing less debris and vacuuming less often. A solar pool cover provides this along with all of its other benefits. This is not only convenient, but could save money on filters and prematurely worn-out water pumps as well. Conserve Water