Do solar pool covers really work?

[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.