Oct
9
Like any body of water, swimming pools tend to gain heat energy from the sun during the day and cool off at night. Pools lose heat at night due to energy that radiates out and also because of water that evaporates off its surface. Solar pool covers are designed to not only excel in preventing heat from escaping, but also to trap the sun’s energy and actively heat the pool. Solar covers have small air pockets to trap the sun’s heat, and consequently somewhat resemble large sheets of bubble-wrap.
A solar pool cover is especially useful if your pool is unheated. It can keep the water temperature significantly higher overnight in your swimming pool. Solar covers often mean the difference between a morning chill and a warm morning swimming thrill, and can help you extend your swimming season. If your pool is heated, a solar pool cover will help you reduce your heating costs.
Solar pool covers are relatively easy to install and remove, as they float on top of the pool with no need of special tethers. Once removed they are either folded or stored on a large spool to keep then out of the way. Because they cover the pool, they will also keep dirt out to some degree, even though they may not be design to do so.
One thing a solar pool cover will not do is improve safety. Pool covers that are not specifically designed for safety, do not provide any safety at all. Such covers will not hold the weight of a person falling in and may also completely collapse trapping someone underneath water filled folds, unable to get out. For similar reasons, swimming pools should never be used with a cover only partially removed, as swimmers may become disoriented and drown should they attempt to resurface underneath a covered section.
