Protect your good times

Whether or not to get a swimming pool heater is an individual decision. However, in general, it is a good idea. Swimming pools have many uses. They are not just for summer fun. Many people like to use it for as much of the year as possible, for exercise, relaxation, or socialization. If you are one of these people, but you live in a climate where the weather can change at the drop of a hat, or you just plain do not like cool water, a heater is a great thing to have.

Once you decide to get a heater, the next decision is what type of heater to purchase. Deciding which pool heater system is best for you will depend on your specific needs, budget and the design of your pool and house.

Solar heaters will usually bring the temperature of a swimming pool up into the eighty degree range. When you have this type of heater, a spell of cold weather can drop the temperature of the pool. A few warm days will soon restore it, though. Solar pool covers are great for recreational pool users who don’t necessarily need to swim in their pool every single day.

A heat pump heater will keep pools heated at a consistent temperature between eighty and ninety degrees. This type of heater is an absolute necessity for anyone who is a serious swimmer. If you are set in a daily, year-round swimming routine then this heater is the choice for you.

Athletes and people who do swimming therapy will benefit greatly from this heater, since eighty to ninety degrees are ideal temperatures for training. A heat pump heater is also a good option if your home is simply not capable of accommodating solar panels for solar heating.

Another type of heater that is available is a gas heater. Gas heaters are more expensive than the other heaters. They are generally great for heating a swimming pool quickly and efficiently when time is an issue. For instance, they are excellent for heating a pool for a party.

Heaters are also wonderful options for pools that are not used often, such as a pool located at someone’s vacation home. Gas heaters are usually extremely large, so they can reach any temperature desired quickly and maintain it constantly, no matter what the weather is like.

If heating a swimming pool is a top priority for you then, in addition to a heater, you may want to invest in a solar pool cover. The solar cover（solar blanket） will collect heat from the sun and transfer it to the water. This, in conjunction with your heater, will help to maintain the pool’s temperature.

Considering all of your options should help you to determine if you need a swimming pool heater or not. If you decide that you do then this information should help you to easily determine which heater suits your needs and budget the best.

With today’s concerns about the economy and the environment, the use of solar power to heat in-ground swimming pools is becoming increasingly popular among pool owners. However, while many people may wish to use the sun to heat their pool, they may not want to expend the time and money required to replace their entire heating system. In such circumstances, solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools provide an excellent compromise. In-ground solar pool covers use heat from the sun to increase and maintain a pool’s temperature, allowing pool owners to enjoy significantly reduced heating costs as well as several other benefits.
In-ground solar pool covers appear similar to bubble wrap in that they feature thousands of tiny air pockets. However, these covers are constructed from far more durable and specialized material than bubble wrap. The tiny air pockets on solar pool covers magnify the effects of the sun’s heat on the water and also serve as insulators. Some in-ground solar pool covers feature a special silver bottom layer which reflects sunlight back into the swimming pool and works together with the clear top layer to maximize the cover’s heating effects. Certain brands of solar pool blankets also utilize a unique hexagon design of the air pockets which minimizes the space between the bubbles, thereby further enhancing the cover’s heat retention and transference capabilities.
The design of the best available solar pool covers for in-ground swimming pools not only incorporates advanced technology but remarkable durability as well. Constructed from tough resins with UV stabilization, these covers are built to last and to provide solar heating year after year. In addition, high-quality solar blankets feature reinforced, flat-lying seams that will resist wear and tear and withstand repeated folding for many years of use. Since these covers are available in a variety of different thicknesses, it’s also possible to have the benefit of further enhanced durability as thicker covers offer greater strength and toughness.
Since pool covers can be quite large and cumbersome, especially for just one person, the easiest way to deal with them is by attaching them to in-ground solar pool reels. There are several different types of in-ground solar pool reels available including manual reels, electronic reels and water-powered reels. Water-powered pool reels attach to a standard garden hose and feature water-driven pistons that will automatically reel your solar cover in or out. Many in-ground solar pool reels are on wheels and can easily be moved out of the way whenever necessary. All types of these pool reels allow pool owners to use and handle in-ground solar pool covers easily and conveniently.
Solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools provide a long list of benefits and advantages. Perhaps most notably, in-ground solar pool covers help to raise and maintain water temperatures. In fact, using a solar pool blanket can raise the temperature of your pool up to 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, by preventing heat from escaping your swimming pool at night or whenever it’s not in use, solar covers can keep your pool warm while reducing your heating costs by up to 70 per cent. At the same time, you will also be helping the environment by relying more on the sun’s energy and less on non-renewable energy sources.

Using solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools also makes it easy to prevent water and chemical evaporation. By significantly lowering the amount of chemicals lost through evaporation, you will be able to save money on chemical costs and will have to spend less time balancing your pool’s chemical levels. Another great advantage of using solar pool covers is the fact that they prevent leaves and other debris from getting into the swimming pool. When a pool cover keeps your water cleaner, you won’t need to spend nearly as much time and effort vacuuming and skimming your pool before you swim.

With so many great advantages to be enjoyed, pool owners will be happy to know that solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools can be used with pools of all different shapes and sizes. Solar pool covers are available in a wide variety of sizes and many can be easily cut to fit the shape of any pool. Whether you have a kidney shaped in-ground pool or an unusual, custom shaped pool, you can still take advantage of the many benefits of solar pool blankets. Best of all, in-ground solar pool reels and covers provide an excellent and very economical way for pool owners with many different budgets to invest in solar power.

UV Stabilised

Ultra Violet (UV) rays are emitted by the sun and are partly absorbed by the Ozone layer. UV light is destructive not only to the human skin but also to many man made materials including polyethylene and plastic products. Unless such materials are specially treated, they become faded and brittle if exposed to UV light. Plastipack’s scientifically balanced polyethylene materials which form the solar bubble pool covers are stabilised to protect them from harmful UV rays so that they retain their flexibility and colour and last longer.

Solar pool covers provide a very economical yet highly effective way to harness the sun’s energy to heat your swimming pool. Also referred to as solar blankets, swimming pool solar covers are particularly ideal for sunny climates and offer a wide array of benefits including reduced heating and chemical costs. For those who are interested in solar pool covers and reels for swimming pools, it’s a good idea to know as much as you can about them before making a purchase. By being familiar with the different design features of solar pool covers and solar pool reels, you will be able to choose the right cover for your pool so you can make the very most of the cover’s solar heating capabilities.

To begin with, it’s important to understand what solar pool covers are and how they work. In appearance, swimming pool solar covers resemble bubble wrap and are most typically clear, silver or blue in color. The thousands of tiny air pockets that cover solar blankets transfer heat from the sun into the swimming pool and also trap heat in the water. By adding more heat to your swimming pool while preventing it from escaping during cool nights, solar blankets keep your pool at an inviting temperature without extra heating costs.

In fact, when you use swimming pool solar reels and covers, you can increase the temperature of your swimming pool by 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, since you will not be losing nearly as much heat through evaporation, your reliance on other types of heating systems will be significantly reduced. Obviously, this will greatly lower your heating costs. At the same time, reduced evaporation also means less chemical loss which, in turn, means that you will need to spend less money on replacement chemicals.

While all swimming pool solar covers will provide you with the above benefits to a certain degree, not all solar blankets are created equal. This is why it’s important to understand the differences between the various types of solar pool covers. For example, solar blankets are available in different thicknesses, with the most common thicknesses being 8 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm. While thicker covers cost more than thinner covers, there is a good reason for this price difference. Namely, thicker solar blankets provide greater durability as well as greater heat transference and insulation.

Color is also an important consideration when purchasing solar pool covers and reels for swimming pools, and not just for aesthetic reasons. While covers of all colors will prevent approximately the same amount of water and chemical evaporation, they will not all transfer heat equally. While blue swimming pool solar covers are popular among pool owners, they typically block somewhere between 20 and 40 per cent of the sun’s solar energy. Clear solar blankets, on the other hand, only block about 5 to 15 per cent of the sun’s energy, therefore providing better heat transference than blue covers. There are also some solar pool covers available which feature a silver coating that is designed to reflect heat back into the swimming pool for enhanced heating.

Another important consideration to keep in mind when you are shopping for solar pool reels and covers is whether your pool is an above ground pool or an in-ground pool. Typically, solar blankets can be used for either above ground or in-ground swimming pools, but that will not necessarily be the case with swimming pool solar reels. This is because solar pool reels for in-ground swimming pools are typically on wheels so they can be easily moved around on the pool deck. In contrast, swimming pool solar reels for above ground pools are usually designed to be mounted to a pool’s top rail. Either way, however, there are many different solar pool reels available that allow a single person to easily reel solar pool covers in and out.

One of the final factors to take into account before purchasing solar pool covers and reels for swimming pools is the size and shape of your pool. If you have a standard rectangular or round swimming pool, you should easily be able to find swimming pool solar covers in the exact size and shape that you need. However, if you have an oval, kidney-shaped or custom-shaped pool, there may not be solar blankets available that will be ready to fit your pool. Fortunately, most solar pool covers can simply be cut with scissors to fit your pool so you will simply need to purchase a blanket large enough to cover your entire pool and then cut it to the appropriate shape and size.

If you keep all of the above information in mind when shopping for solar pool reels and covers, you will be able to make a smart and informed choice. Then you will be able to enjoy the numerous benefits and advantages that come with using a solar blanket, including lower heating costs, lower chemical costs and an extended swimming season.

Brenda Masten is an experienced pool owner. She provides information about solar pool covers and reels for in-ground pools. She explains how to save money on pool heating by using solar pool covers and reels for swimming pools.

A solar cover is designed to trap the heat of the day in your pool – and it works!

Step 1

You need to make sure exactly how big your swimming pool is and then purchase that size solar cover.
There are different grades of covers, but a rule of thumb should be buy the best. It’s your pool and you want the solar cover to be made of the best materials on the market so that it can trap that heat for you.
The goal is warmer water to swim in , so don’t cheap out!

Step 2

When the cover arrives, remove it from the box and place it reflective side up,(which means bubble side down) on top of your swimming pool water. It should remain floating there whenever your pool is not in use.
If your pump is not running, your cover may heat down as far as several feet into the pool. Don’t jump in though until you have circulated that top layer of warm water or else you may be in for a cold shock!

Step 3

As a suggestion, you might want to also purchase a solar reel system, which allows you to crank a handle and roll up your solar cover on this long segmented pole. If you do that, your cover will stay clean and out of the way. It makes the tedious job of taking the solar cover on and off something that one person can easily accomplish.
The alternative to no solar reel system is to wrestle your cover off each time that you want to use the pool, which usually takes two people.
The inherent problem with this method is , what to do with the cover when it comes off of the pool? Most people simply lay it on the grass, which allows it to bring foreign material like grass or dirt with it when it’s time to drag it back on.

Step 4

A solar cover is a nice pool feature and quite popular among pool owners. It is well worth the money when you realize that it can extend your pool season by several weeks before and after. There are alternatives to a solar cover such as a pool heater, a solar heater or even those solar fish that dispense a liquid designed to trap heat in the pool invisibly. I myself however cannot recommend the fish, since it is relatively new on the scene.

Solar pool covers and reels for above ground pools are essential pieces of equipment for owners of above ground swimming pools who want to extend their swimming season while saving money. Through the use of special designs and high quality materials, solar swimming pool covers provide a wide range of benefits such as increased water temperature and significantly reduced heating costs. When used together with solar cover reels for above ground pools, these pool blankets are very easy and convenient to use, allowing pool owners to enjoy the many advantages of solar covers without any fuss or frustrations.

Solar pool covers for above ground pools are specifically designed to make the very most of the sun’s heat. Constructed from tough stabilized resins, solar covers feature thousands of tiny air pockets all over their surface, creating an appearance reminiscent of bubble wrap. These air pockets serve as excellent insulators, preventing heat from escaping from your swimming pool. At the same time, the air bubbles also promote heat transference, taking the heat from the sun and using it to raise the temperature of the pool water.

While their design and construction make solar pool covers extremely good at heat retention and transference, these same qualities also provide outstanding durability. The tough materials that solar blankets are made from will stand up to year after year of use. Solar pool covers for above ground pools also feature exceptionally strong seams that will lie flat but which will also withstand repeated folding over the years. Strong seams also greatly reduce the likelihood of rips and tears. All of these design features add up to mean that solar pool blankets are an excellent long-term investment.

Solar pool covers and reels for above ground pools are also a good investment in the sense that they can save you money. To begin with, the heat transference and insulating properties of solar swimming pool covers can use the sun’s energy to raise the temperature of your pool by at least 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only will this allow you to enjoy a longer swimming season, it will also allow you to use other heating sources such as gas and electric heaters far less. As a result, solar pool covers for above ground pools can slash your energy bills, leaving you with more money for other aspects of your life.

With the help of solar pool covers, you can also save on chemical costs. While that may seem surprising at first, the reason why this is true is really quite simple. By using a solar cover for your above ground swimming pool, you will be greatly reducing evaporation from your pool. This includes the evaporation of both water and chemicals. When you are losing fewer chemicals through evaporation, you won’t need to add as many replacement chemicals. Thus, you won’t need to buy as many chemicals during the swimming season.

While solar pool covers for above ground pools are primarily designed to retain heat, enhance heat transference and to prevent water and chemical evaporation, they can also provide additional benefits. For example, when your pool is kept covered while not in use less dirt and debris will enter the water. This not only helps to reduce the stress on your pool’s filtration system, it also saves you time as less cleaning and skimming will be required.

The benefits that you can enjoy from solar pool blankets can be further enhanced by solar cover reels for above ground pools. Solar cover reels take the fuss and hassle out of using solar covers to help heat your swimming pool. These reels can be permanently mounted onto the rail of your above ground pool and feature a strong yet easy to use hand crank that makes it extremely simple for anyone to roll or unroll a solar blanket.

Depending on the size of your above ground pool and your budget, there are a variety of different solar pool blankets and cover reels available on the market. Some brands of solar covers feature a unique diamond design of the air pockets, which reduces the space between the air bubbles, increasing heat transference and retention. Also, these covers are available in different thicknesses, with the thicker covers providing even better heat retention. There are also a variety of options available with respect to solar cover reels for above ground pools, including economy and deluxe models.

By extending your swimming season and saving you money on both heating and chemical costs, solar pool covers offer many excellent benefits, a fact which more and more pool owners are beginning to recognize. When used together, solar pool covers and reels for above ground pools also make it very easy and convenient to take advantage of these great perks. So if you are interested in a great long-term investment that will allow you to save money and enjoy more days of swimming each season, solar pool covers and reels for above ground pools could be exactly what you have been looking for.

By Michael Peterson

imming pools covers are essential for protection during the fall and winter months as well as for safety purposes for households with children. Solar swimming pool covers save you on energy costs because they allow the water to heat from the sun while protecting it from debris. Use these steps to learn more about solar swimming pool covers and where to purchase one.

Step 1

Know your swimming pool. You will need to know the shape and exact dimensions of your pool before looking for a solar cover. If you are unsure of this information, contact your builder for exact information or get a pool contractor over to measure it properly.

Step 2

Call local swimming pool accessory companies to inquire about solar swimming pool covers in the size you need. Take good notes so you can compare against both local and national companies.

Step 3

Research solar swimming pool cover companies online to compare their prices and quality with the local quotes you compiled in Step 2. One such company, solar covers, offers a variety of colors and no shipping costs.

Step 4

Keep a copy of your purchase receipt, whether the purchase is local or national. Make sure you understand any and all warranty information and inquire as to proper installation instructio

If your above-ground and in-ground swimming pool does not have a heating system, use a solar pool the keep the water comfortable for use. If you have a pool heating system, a solar pool cover should help lower your energy bills. But to get the most out of a solar pool cover, you need to know how to use it properly.

What Does it Do?

When a pool remains uncovered, it is subject to evaporation and loss of heat. According to Energysavers.gov, an uncovered pool that is at 80 degrees Fahrenheit will lose an incredible 1,048 BTUs of energy for every pound of water in the pool lost to evaporation. By comparison, it only takes 1 BTUs to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree. That significant loss of heat can cause the temperature of the water to drop. A solar pool cover will slow that rate of evaporation, which will help retain the water in the pool and keep the pool warm. The solar cover also helps to harness the warmth of the sun to help warm the pool during the day so it can stay warm at night.

Caring for a Solar Cover

Cheappoolproducts.com says that a solar cover should always be wrapped in its protective sleeve when it is not in use, to prevent it from getting damaged or dirty. The cover should be cleaned regularly, at least once every two weeks, to make sure it is can do its job properly. A cloudy solar cover has difficulty retaining heat. Do not store the solar cover in any area that may get to be more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit; the excessive heat may cause structural damage to the cover. Never have the cover on the pool when you are applying chemicals. Remove the cover when you are adding treatment, and do not put the cover back until the proper water levels have been met.

Different Types

According to Solarhome.org, there are two types of solar covers: vinyl and bubble. Bubble covers are made with a durable polyethelyne compound and work well in mild climates. Vinyl covers tend to be more durable and last longer than bubble covers. Bubble covers are popular because they are less expensive than vinyl covers.

Solar covers or solar blankets are a good way to extend the pool season, especially if you live in a cold climate. solar covers are made of polyethylene, which will not rot from the heat of the sun. Keeping a cover on the pool during the day helps absorb heat from the sun. Keeping a cover on the pool at night, helps retain that heat. The solar cover also helps keep debris out of the pool, so cleaning is less of a chore.

Step 1

Purchase a solar blanket reel. Solar blanket reels are the easiest way to put a solar cover on a pool. They are also the most convenient way to store the blanket during the pool season. Attach the solar blanket to the reel with straps. Make sure the bubbles are facing down. Roll up the blanket when not in use. The solar blanket reel has wheels, so you can move it out of the way when the pool is in use.

Step 2

Roll the blanket onto the pool. Pick up the blanket on the edge. Begin to walk toward the other end of the pool. Keep the cover above the water. When you arrive at the end of the pool, set the cover down onto the water. Again, make sure the bubbles are facing down.

Step 3

Ask for help. If you do not have a solar blanket reel, then you have to put the cover on by hand. The easiest way to put a solar cover on by hand is to use two people. Keep the cover folded lengthwise at the end of the pool. Position each person at each end of the pool and blanket. Pick up the edge of the solar cover and together walk to the other end of the pool. Keep the solar cover above the water. When you reach the end of the pool, set the cover onto the water.

Step 4

Research other choices. Solar blanket reels are also available as automatic reels. All you have to do is push the button, and the cover automatically rolls onto the pool. Semi-automatic reels are similar. You do need to guide them across the pool, but there is no tugging. 

Treading water when it comes to paying swimming pool heating bills? Consider using both a solar pool cover and a solar water heater. 

It’s safe to say that solar swimming pool covers (the blue ones that look like giant sheets of bubble wrap) are wildly popular. 

Although they aren’t the most effective in keeping unwanted debris (or kids and pets) out of a pool, they’re inexpensive and add a touch of warmth to the water — sunlight gets the cover nice and toasty while the water cools it, leading to the transfer of heat. They also, of course, trap heat inside the pool which prevents evaporation — this is the largest source of swimming pool energy loss according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s EERE Energy Saver’s website.  

There are other types of pool covers out there — thick, long-lasting vinyl, not-so-long-lasting standard sheets of plastic, mesh, or hardtop covers for folks with safety on the mind — but when dealing with standard outdoor pools where heat retention and cost is a concern, solar bubble covers are the way to go. 

That said, a solar pool cover won’t completely heat a pool (it would be sure nice if they did). If you’re looking to heat your pool exclusively with the sun, however, a solar water heater that heats just the pool, not the water in your entire home, is an option.