Automatic covers feature permanently mounted reels that cover and uncover the pool at the push of a button. A true "green" way to heat your in ground or above ground pool. After choosing the pool liner thickness, it is also essential to ensure your pool liner stretches against the corners and conforms to the curves of your pool. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Jul 2, 2022, 1:19pm. Solar Pool Covers: What Are They And How Do You Buy One? As previously indicated, dry or windy conditions increase the evaporation rate off of the pools water surface. Solar covers also serve as protection from debris and prevent the chemicals in your pool, like chlorine, from evaporating. A 16-by-32 foot polyethylene cover is not cheap. The sun gives off so much heat during the day that it's smart to take advantage of it and heat a swimming pool. A large selection of sizes is available in round, oval and rectangular shapes. This compensation comes from two main sources. Blue Wave Magni Clear solar pool covers are covered with air bubbles that act as an insulating layer, shielding the pool from wind, cloudy skies, and cool night time temperatures. They keep water from collecting on top, and allow excess water to drain off while removing. Despite their simple design and appearance, solar covers are an efficient and affordable way to heat pools on days that would otherwise be too cool.l. Magni Clear solar pool covers are U.V.-protected to last longer under the most intense sunlight and exposure to pool chemicals. However, there are a variety of shapes to choose from to help you pick a cover that most accurately covers the pools surface. Warranties on pool covers can appear misleading. Its lightweight design makes this model easy to remove. But a large sheet of plastic that you get from the lumber store is probably not your best choice. After choosing the best solar pool cover for your pool, its time to look at a few basic tips on what to do and what not to do with your solar pool cover. Both of them have a good reputation for longer-than-average lifespans. The thicker the cover, the heavier and less transparent the material. Magni Clear solar pool covers or solar pool covers by Blue Wave are top quality solar pool covers made of a clear polymer material to take the most advantage of the sun's heating (solar) power. To determine the best solar pool cover ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on eight major companies, with each products star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including: Solar pool covers can be a bit expensive. The opaque, blue and silver colored finish provides excellent insulation properties. Savings of 50%70% are possible. Another lightweight competitor is the Sun2Solar Blue 15-foot Round Solar Cover / 1600 Series Style cover. A solar pool cover lets today's pool owner enjoy free heat from the sun. The more durable product is vinyl, which will last longer out in the elements, but takes a bit more effort to put on and take off. Solar pool coversalso called solar blankets looks similar to bubble wrap, but good-quality solar pool covers like Blue Wave Magni Clear are made from much more durable material. Please try again later. Pool covers on indoor pools not only can reduce evaporation but also the need to ventilate indoor air and replace it with unconditioned outdoor air. A pool heater should be tuned up annually to operate at peak efficiency. If its not possible to avoid sunlight, at least keep the bubble side protected. HYDROTOOLS BY SWIMLINE Large Capacity Pool & Spa Chemical Dispenser | Compatible With Bromine & Chlorine, Supports 1-3 Tablets | Adjustable Control Ring For Customizable Flow Rate, Arm & Hammer Clear Balance Swimming Pool Maintenance Tablets, 16 Count, Relax, let the automatic pool cleaner do the work, Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021. Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Its 12-mil construction, and better-than-average UV protection, provide a durable yet semi-lightweight cover. Covers can even be light or dark colored. If thats not enough, chlorine, the chemical that keeps our pools safe, also plays a big role in the deterioration of pool covers. is designed to help naturally heat your swimming pool through solar rays and can keep the water temperature at a comfortable level throughout cooler months of the year. The bubble side of the cover is where the thinnest, most vulnerable material is. A clear solar pool cover lets the sun's rays pass through the cover and raise the water temperature. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Besides offering energy savings, pool covers also do the following: Subscribe to receive updates from Energy Saver, including new blogs, updated content, and seasonal energy saving tips for consumers and homeowners. The Intex Round Solar Cover does well on our list due to its unique features. A large piece of plastic purchased from, say, the lumber store, will be very difficult to handle and store, tear easily, and deteriorate quickly in the sunlight. That said, the sun is more effective at heating water to a greater depth without a cover on. Pool covers minimize evaporation from both outdoor and indoor pools. Price factors include the thickness of the material, type of materials, and the size of your pool. When combined with a solar pool heater, your pool cover serves as an energy-saver for heating your pool when youre ready to take a dip on a late autumn afternoon. We use chlorine in our pools to destroy algae, bacteria and germs. While all pool covers work by protecting your pool from leaves, dirt, and other debris, each type has pros and cons that can influence your decision as you shop for a pool cover. Other causes could be an improper installation of the liner, damage from vacuuming the liner, or any other reason that would cause the liner to shift. If you use your pool during the daytime, take off the cover just before swimming and replace the cover as soon as you're done using the pool. Currently operating a home repair and DIY consulting service, he empowers his clients to be self-sufficient in their home repair and remodeling endeavors. Doing the installation yourself could lead to the material falling short and not offering you the same benefits as an accurately measured pool cover. If you use your pool only at night, the effectiveness of a pool cover will depend on whether the evaporation and other losses prevented by the cover exceed the solar gain reduction caused by the cover. Blue Wave Magni Clear solar covers with their "clear" color outperform solar pool covers of different colors, such as black and silver, which absorb or reflect heat from the pool waterleaving it cooland prevent the pool cover from properly heating up the pool water. 2022 Forbes Media LLC. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty from the manufacturer, and full warranties from some retailers. None of them are the best at fulfilling every need. This is because there are several variables that can affect your decision. Simply click User Guide for more info. A transparent bubble cover may reduce pool solar energy absorption by 5%15%. Bubble covers are similar to bubble packing material except they use a thicker grade of plastic and have UV inhibitors. The weather where your pool is located is perhaps the most important variable to consider when finding the proper solar cover. In some areas, it can be as much as 70% savings over not using a cover. In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the pool increases. Its great for use on pools that are only used a few times a month. A solar pool coveralso called a solar cover or a solar blanketis the least expensive type of swimming pool cover. At the same time, a thicker cover is sturdier, less likely to blow away, and better at preventing UV damage to your pool and the chemicals inside it. Lack of durability is the number one complaint when it comes to pool covers. In addition to all of the factors above, you also have to consider the thickness of the pool cover. Contact us if you cannot locate your plan confirmation and Terms & Conditions via email at AmazonFeedback@Asurion.com. The average above-ground pool installation cost ranges from $815 to $4,915. You can also shut off exhaust fans when an indoor pool is covered, which saves even more energy. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by using a pool cover. Purchase a pool cover with excellent UV protection built into it. Please try again. They're the most expensive option, but they're also the most convenient. Blue Wave Magni Clear solar pool covers are made of the highest quality 14-Mil material to outlast most other in-ground and above-ground pool covers in the pool market. Please try again. Solar pool covers cost around $800$1,000. A solar pool heater simply plugs into the existing filtration unit. Solar pool covers provide another layer of protection against the loss of chlorine, meaning youll have to replace it less often. Solar pool covers conserve water by providing a physical barrier against evaporation. Again, there are three types of materials used for solar pool coversvinyl, polyethylene, and polypropyleneand the type you choose makes a difference in the performance of the solar cover. As warmth and humidity increase, the evaporation rate decreases. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase (if you do not see this email, please check your spam folder). Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. His experience ranges from licensed building contracting to property maintenance company ownership. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. A climate that is hot during the day but cool at night will require more insulating qualities than heating qualities. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable EnergyForrestal Building1000 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20585, Estimating Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heater Costs and Savings, Estimating Swimming Pool Gas Heating Costs and Savings, Choosing, Installing, and Operating an Efficient Swimming Pool Pump, Managing Swimming Pool Temperature for Energy Efficiency, Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%50%, Reduce the pool's chemical consumption by 35%60%. The clear finish is great for heating, but it may negatively affect the chlorine chemical balance of the pool. If your pool is used often, or every day, youll want a cover that is flexible and easy to remove and reinstall (and if not, its a good idea to identify a pool installation company who can also help with pool covers). Deane is a 30+ year veteran in the contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair industry. A pool in this environment benefits from a transparent or bubble cover to maximize light absorption. If you cant find the size you need, it can be cut to fit into any size or shape without voiding the manufacturers eight year limited warranty. Safety covers are recommended for public pools, and may be required by inspectors. In any case, conservation is good for the environment. For maximum heat in your pool, opt for a transparent bubble cover, which will only reduce your pools solar energy absorption by around 5% to 15% compared to a more opaque and nontransparent cover, which will reduce the energy absorption by 20% to 40%, according to Energy Saver. The free solar heating properties only work when the sun is shining. Magni Clear pool covers are built to withstand properly used pool chemicals. Almost all of a pool's heat lossabout 95 percentoccurs at the waters surface, mostly through evaporation to the air and radiation to the sky. They can be run manually, semi-automatically, or automatically. On the other hand, solar pool covers do come with a few cons that are worth considering as you make your decision. Without a pool cover, your pool can lose 12,00031,000 gallons of water every year. A solar cover will save money on your water bill and is good for the environment. Keep your pool happy with the Intex 15 Foot Round Easy Set Swimming Pool Solar Cover. There are several methods for covering a pool. Excellent UV protection is built into this cover to minimize damage from sun exposure. How Much Does It Cost to Install an Above-Ground Pool. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. The Blue Wave Clear Solar Blanket for Inground and Above Ground Pools made is close to the top of our list for a few reasons.