Unless you want to spend your and your family’s entire Sunday afternoon cleaning your backyard pool, invest in a high-quality pool cover.
A pool cover helps save energy, water & money; sooner or later you’ll know the perks of this cover. Today, in the market, there are two major categories of pool covers, one is the standard pool cover, and the other one is the solar pool cover.
In this article, we’ll be talking about both these types, providing a brief introduction, pros & cons of each, along with similarities & dissimilarities.
What is a Solar Pool Cover?
Popularly referred to as a solar blanket, a solar pool cover is a sheet of plastic just like a bubble wrap, available in various sizes and thickness options.
The bubble wrap captures the UV rays of the sun and retains them to heat the water underneath.
A solar pool cover minimizes evaporation by creating a barrier between the pool water and the direct rays of the sun, thus maintaining the pool water at least 5-degrees higher than the outside temperature.
Along with evaporation, the use of pool chemicals is also reduced.
This type of pool cover efficiently prevents pesky debris & algae spores, therefore keeping your pool water clean & hygienic for longer and cutting down on the overall maintenance.
With a solar pool cover, your pool water will be toasty, thus extending your swim season till the fall.
What is a Standard Pool Cover?
A standard pool cover keeps out sunlight & light debris from the pool water. The water off the pool cover needs to be pumped out regularly.
Standard pool covers are further divided into subcategories: mesh and solid pool covers.
A solid pool cover doesn’t allow even the minutest debris & rainwater to get into the pool. Whereas, a mesh pool cover keeps out debris and other unwanted stuff, but not water.
Both the mesh and solid pool covers are available with an automatic option, which covers and uncovers the pool cover in a flick of a key or button.
Advantages of Solar Pool Covers
Here are key benefits of solar coves you need to know:-
Increasing Water Temperature
The primary function of a solar pool cover is to heat the water in the pool, 10 to 15 degrees higher than the outside temperature.
The sun rays are trapped by the bubble and then transferred to the water.
Save Energy
A solar pool cover heats the pool water without spending anything on the energy. It is an environment-friendly choice, as it uses renewable solar energy.
So, if your geographic location receives a good amount of sunlight, a solar pool cover is a wise decision.
Save Water
Another reason that makes a solar pool cover an eco-friendly option is that it helps in saving water by reducing evaporation, thus minimizing the water loss from the swimming pool.
Save More Chemicals
Loss of water because of evaporation lowers the levels of chemicals in the pool water. So, you have to constantly replace the chemicals to maintain the balance.
It is where the solar pool covers help in lowering evaporation, thus reducing the loss of chemicals.
Disadvantages of Solar Pool Covers
High Cost
Perhaps the biggest drawback of a solar pool cover is that it is slightly on the higher side. And, it is even more pricer, for a larger pool.
Doesn’t Fit All Pools
The solar pool covers are available in a variety of sizes, however still not suitable for odd-shaped or oversized pools.
Final Verdict
If you can spend a few dollars, then a solar pool cover is a value-for-money buy. It helps to maintain optimum pool water temperature, a few degrees higher, therefore extending your pool season beyond the summers. Solar pool covers also reduce heat loss & evaporation.
Another investment could be a pool enclosure. It ensures improved safety and security, with better comfort all year round. Further, helps in enhancing your property value.
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