Do solar pool covers really work?

[Piston]

I would like to warm the pool up a few degrees so my wife and son enjoy it more.

Someone told me to get a solar pool cover.

Do these really work for warming up the pool? Or is it more of just a "cover" to keep pollen and leaves out?

Do they also help with keeping bugs out and keeping the pool cleaner?

Do you have any recommendations on which type, or manufacturer, to buy, or stay away from?

These are nowhere near as much fun to research as tractors are.

 

[KubotainNH]

Yes they do help quite a bit, my pool was 82 yesterday which is close to a perfect temp in my opinion but I also have 2 solar panels for it. The covers keep heat from escaping at night and water/chlorine from going away during the day. I'm on cover number 3 in 7 or 8 years. They only last 2 or 3 years and I found no gain in getting thicker ones. The current one I have now is pretty thick, all it gives you is a heavy cover that's harder manage. Get a reel to make removal easier. As for keeping the pool clean, it does keep some of the junk out but the surface water doesn't get filtered as well because the cover is sitting on it. I like the clear-ish ones, brand doesn't matter from what I see. The next one I buy will be the cheapest clear one I can get, they seem to last the same amount of time. E-bay has the best prices. A good website for pool questions is Trouble Free Pool. No it's not TBN but has lots of good info.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Yes. Solar pool covers do work, BUT the real trick is too not run the pump during daylight, this allows the water to absorb the heat. AND do run the pump at night, as moving water does not loose heat as easily.

 

[Pixguy]

I have used them on two pools. They do keep the heat in and when you pay to heat it and the night cool air drops the temp, the cover is great.
Raising the temps during the day without a heater? Not so much.
Keeping bugs and leaves out? The leaves stick to it and the bugs just slide off into the pool if you use the roller. Not the main reason to use it, keeping the heated water warm is the best use.
just my opinion.

 

[dragoneggs]

Yes. Solar pool covers do work, BUT the real trick is too not run the pump during daylight, this allows the water to absorb the heat. AND do run the pump at night, as moving water does not loose heat as easily.

Curious... I don't understand the physics behind your statement that moving water doesn't lose heat as easily. I understand the heat is transferred by one of three means... radiation, conduction, and convection. Convection being the operative word here. I would think the opposite is true.

 

[alchemysa]

Yes. Solar pool covers do work, BUT the real trick is too not run the pump during daylight, this allows the water to absorb the heat.

I don't agree with that. If you dont run the pump you just wind up with very warm water in the top few inches, but cold water lower down. Better, in my opinon, to have an even temperature all over.

But as for the OP's original question.... yes they definitely work and you'll save water and chlorine. They can make the temperature much more comfortable but it largely depends on the surface area, depth and location of the pool. The aspect of whether they help keep the pool clean is not so simple but overall I'd say they are beneficial.

 

[kenmac]

I don't agree that solar covers work. When mine went bad I didn't replace it, because I felt it did no good. I never could really tell any difference using the solar cover and not using the solar cover

 

[nc redneck]

Yes they do work. I did a lot of testing with a digital thermometer back when I had a pool. My best results were from leaving pool pump off during the time sun would shine on it, after that pump would come on and mix in heated water. Biggest difference you will see with cover is retaining heat overnight our if you have a heater. They do not work to keep pool cleaner. I had to hose mine off to clean it and that goes directly in pool. A leaf blower just bounces it around until it hits a wet spot then sticks. As stated above they do save water and chemicals. I would buy a mid priced one they last about 5 years.
Scott

 

[Piston]

It is an in ground pool, about 8' deep at the deep end and probably something like 3 and a half feet deep at the shallow end. I don't have a heater in the pool. It does get sun most of the day, from about 10am until the sun get's low to the horizon.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know a rough price it would cost to install a pool heater?? Is that a difficult thing to do? It's a 20x40 pool.

 

[dragoneggs]

Covers do work and can be quite effective... 'solar' is a bit of a misnomer. The cover reduces convection cooling when the outside air is cooler than the water temp especially if there is a breeze that carries the heat away.

 

[KennyG]

Yes the cover works. I got a new one this year and put it on a few weeks ago. The water temperature went from under 60 to over 70 in less than a week with air temperatures that never got over 75. I got the heavy one that has a six year warranty. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that.

 

[KubotainNH]

I don't agree that solar covers work. When mine went bad I didn't replace it, because I felt it did no good. I never could really tell any difference using the solar cover and not using the solar cover

You live in the Heart of Dixie, how cold does it get there at night? It was in the 40's at night on the weekend. That takes a lot of of a pool without a cover. 60's at night is common in NH. Mine is on unless swimming or vacuuming until the temp gets too warm which is like 1 week a year. Then I leave it off at night. I like how it limits losing water to the sun.

 

[kenmac]

Currently it's 76*. It's cooler tonight than it has been this week. we had a good amount of rain this afternoon that cooled things off a bit. It has been around 80* at night... high 80's -90's during the day

As I have stated. solar covers just didn't impress me as far as warming the water. Maybe on an above ground.

 

[KubotainNH]

Up here it's more to not lose the heat at night that you gained during the day. Sometimes it's hard pressed to hit 80 during the day and the OP is North of me.

 

[dragoneggs]

Up here it's more to not lose the heat at night that you gained during the day. Sometimes it's hard pressed to hit 80 during the day and the OP is North of me.

Exactly... that is the condition that makes the cover worthwhile. If your day temps are very high you could argue it is not necessary. In the PNW, days temps are rarely enough to combat the cool nights... even in the heat of summer.

 

[Pixguy]

Heater can run anywhere from 35 to 4500 when being installed at the same time as the pool is built. I assume it would be the same or close after the build.
I changed out a heater after 10 years and it only ran about 2300. Bought it off ebay and had a plumber ck my connections.

 

[radioman]

I used to use the solar covers on the 18x33 pool. What a pain everytime the kids want to use it and they dont put it back. I just ended up buying the liquid pool solar heat stuff. That works and its much easier for me.
A word of caution on those who want a pooler heater on gas - your PH has to be perfect day in and day out otherwise it will be corrosive like to the insides of the heater. With an above ground pool with vinyl liner, you can let ph be off and still be fine with no heater and fix ph later when you can.

 

[Pixguy]

I used to use the solar covers on the 18x33 pool. What a pain everytime the kids want to use it and they dont put it back. I just ended up buying the liquid pool solar heat stuff. That works and its much easier for me.

A word of caution on those who want a pooler heater on gas - your PH has to be perfect day in and day out otherwise it will be corrosive like to the insides of the heater.

With an above ground pool with vinyl liner, you can let ph be off and still be fine with no heater and fix ph later when you can.

Don't ask me how I found this out! :duh:

 

[Big Barn]

Yes. Solar pool covers do work, BUT the real trick is too not run the pump during daylight, this allows the water to absorb the heat. AND do run the pump at night, as moving water does not loose heat as easily.

I tried,this yesterday. Didn't change heater setting or number of hours (7 1/2). Set time clock for 1am -7:30 as opposed to daytime hours. Pool was warmer this afternoon plus I have the benefit of the heater running on 'off peak' hours for hydro billing. I will continue to monitor. Thanks,Steppenwolfe!

Terry

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Curious... I don't understand the physics behind your statement that moving water doesn't lose heat as easily. I understand the heat is transferred by one of three means... radiation, conduction, and convection. Convection being the operative word here. I would think the opposite is true.

You would be wrong. Heat builds up during day, distributes through pool at night. Calm water radiates heat faster.