A solar pool cover will keep water warm and prevent water from evaporating.
The essential job of a solar pool cover is to warm the water by harnessing sunlight and preventing the evaporation of water when the pool is not in use and at night.
Selecting a solar cover depends on factors that include pool size, preferences and price range. Once you understand the different factors of a solar pool cover, you can decide the best option for your own pool.
1. Measure the size of the pool to get the properly sized cover. If a cover is too small, it will not be as effective in warming the pool.
2. Select a light color for the pool cover. Darker colors and blues may look nicer over the water, but a clear cover is the most effective because it allows the sun’s rays to penetrate. A black cover will quickly heat up, but the long-lasting effects will not be as effective as a clear cover.
3. Choose a solar cover with air bubbles in it. The bubbles help separate the material from the water, and sunlight can go in easier.
4. Look for pool covers with reinforced UV-stabilized polyethylene. This type of plastic is more durable and lasts longer. Solar pool covers without this will deteriorate quicker when in the sun for long durations.
5. Select the solar pool cover mechanism that suits your needs and budget. A manual pool cover is simply pulled on and off. An automatic pool cover uses a small motor and a roll to pull the cover out and back in. A semi-automatic cover uses a small motor, but the cover has to be guided by one or more people.
Look for package deals that include the cover, reel and motor mechanism. Wait until the end of summer to find close-out prices on solar covers for the next season.