7 Best Solar Pool Covers 2024
If you have a swimming pool, you know that keeping it clean and maintaining the right water temperature can be a challenge. Solar pool covers are one way to make your life easier. They can help keep your pool warm, which can save you money on heating costs. They are also far more budget friendly than gas or propane pool heaters or even solar pool heaters.
By keeping the water warm, a solar pool cover can also extend the time to enjoy the swimming pool when the outside air temperature drops.
Solar pool covers help reduce water evaporation by approx 30-50% and chemical evaporation, by up to 30%, which means you will lose less water and have to add chemicals less often. Plus, they can help to keep your pool cleaner by providing a barrier between the water and debris.
The larger the pool the greater the heat loss, therefore the smaller the pool the more heat is retained, also, if your pool is shaded most of the day, do not expect much of an increase in the water temperature.
There are many types of solar pool covers available, to suit swimming pools of all shapes and sizes.
How does a Solar Pool cover work?
A solar pool cover works by capturing the sun’s energy and using it to heat up your swimming pool water.
The cover does this by absorbing sunlight during the day and transferring that heat into the water through conduction.
The cover is made of a durable, UV-resistant material designed to trap heat in your swimming pool while keeping debris out.
When you place it over your pool, it works as an insulator, trapping heat inside and reducing evaporation. This means that your swimming pool will stay warm and clean for longer periods without having to add chemicals or expensive heating systems.
What are the Different Solar Pool Covers?
Solar pool covers are a great way to keep your pool warm and your energy bill low. There are a wide variety of solar pool covers available, so it is important to understand the different types before you purchase one.
If you do heat your pool up during the day by a gas pool heater, heat pump etc, and you want to save some money on your electric or gas bills, you can use any of the following three solar pool covers at night to keep the heat in the pool.
1. Solar Blankets
Solar blankets are made with small thermal bubbles that help capture heat and reduce water evaporation.
Solar blankets can be cut to size to suit the shape of the pool.
Solar blankets come in different colours and sizes.
- Dark blue – retains heat better than the others and allows heat to enter the pool.
- Clear pool covers will allow heat into the pool but not as good at retaining heat as the dark blue.
- Light blue covers are the best compromise as they let heat in and retain heat.
Solar Blankets come in thickness of 4mil/8mil/12 mil/16mil. 16mil is likely to last 5 years plus.
A thicker solar pool cover will last longer than a thinner one, but there is no real advantage and will not retain more heat than a thinner one, a thicker cover will actually be harder to put on and take off your pool.
12mil tend to be the most popular as they are easy to handle and will last a few years.
The thicker the blanket, the harder it will be to put on and take off the pool, therefore to purchase one that comes with a reel or buy a reel separately.
Any chemicals in the water are less likely to evaporate, can reduce chemical usage by up to 30%, since the cover blocks the suns rays which evaporate chlorine in the water, however this means keeping the cover on during the day when not in use.
2. Solar Rings
The Solar Sun Ring is a passive solar swimming pool heating device made from two sheets of heavyweight U.V. resistant vinyl. The lower layer has a dark colour to absorb and retain heat for the pool, the upper layer is a lighter shade which absorbs about 50% of the sunlight and converts it to heat.
Solar rings are floating discs with a bubble lining that are less bulky than a solar blanket, however they do leave gaps and therefore expose water, so you do not get full coverage.
3. Liquid Solar Covers
Liquid solar cover is a form of fatty alcohol, 1 molecule thick, that, when added to the water, binds together, floats on top of the water and reduces water evaporation. It is invisible to the naked eye, nor can it be felt, but is safe to swim in.
The liquid solar cover needs to be added on a regular basis, it is designed to use with a pools filtration system and will not damage it in anyway.
Liquid Solar cover is easier to use than a solar blanket cover, which you have to pull/roll on and off, with the liquid, you just pour it into the pool.
Liquid solar cover is not recommended for windy areas as the liquid will be blown about thereby reducing its effectiveness, same if the pool is used a lot, effectiveness can be reduced.
Best Solar Pool Cover Products
Solar pool covers are a great way to keep your pool warm and your energy bills low. There are many different types of solar pool covers on the market, so it is important to do your research to find the right one for you. Solar pool covers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so be sure to measure your pool before making a purchase. They also come in different thicknesses, so depending on your climate, you may want to choose a thicker cover. Overall, solar pool covers are a great investment for any pool owner.
#1 Sun2Solar Blue 18 x 36 Foot Rectangle Solar Cover
- Heat retaining blanket for in-ground and above ground rectangular swimming pools.
- The installation process is easy enough for any user to do, with no tools required. Plus, the light weight design makes it simple to remove when not in use.
- Thanks to its bubble design, this solar cover helps reduce water evaporation while increasing your pool’s heat retention capabilities by trapping in more warmth from the sun’s rays.
- Reduces your water evaporation and chemical loss to save you money.
- Reduces heat loss and minimizes the amount of debris that can get in the water.
- Extends the swimming season by maintaining a comfortable swimming temperature in the pool.
#2 Evoio Solar Pool Covers for 6 to 15 ft Diameter Round Swimming Pools
- Heat retaining blanket for in-ground and above-ground round/circular swimming pools that come in sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 ft diameter.
- The Evoio solar pool covers are 15 MIL thick, so these solar blankets can heat up the water faster and this also makes them more durable.
- Thanks to its bubble design, this solar cover helps reduce water evaporation while increasing your pool’s heat retention capabilities by trapping in more warmth from the sun’s rays.
- Reduces your water evaporation by up to 95%.
- Raises water temperature up to 3-12 degrees and minimizes the amount of debris that can get in the water.
- Extends the swimming season by maintaining a comfortable swimming temperature in the pool.
- Can be cur into other shapes such as squares and rectangles etc.
#3 In The Swim 18 x 36 Foot Rectangle Premium Pool Solar Blanket Cover 12 Mil
- Raises water temperature up to 8-10 degrees in approximately 5-7 days of consistent sunlight.
- 12Mil thickness.
- Reduces your water evaporation and chemical loss to save you money.
- Reduces heat loss and minimizes the amount of debris that can get in the water.
- Extends the swimming season by maintaining a comfortable swimming temperature in the pool.
- 7 Year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty.
#4 Solar Sun Rings UV Resistant
- Solar Sun Ring is composed of two sheets of UV-resistant vinyl that convert solar energy into heat, adding free heat to your pool with only the power of the sun.
- This solar ring cover retains heat at night and reduces evaporation of water and chemicals.
- Compatible with automatic pool cleaners and not affected by salt or chlorine system.
- One ring per 50 square feet of water is recommended to fully heat your pool.
#5 Blue Wave NS420 12-mil Solar Blanket, 16-FT x 32-FT
- Rectangular 12-mil Solar Blanket for In-Ground Swimming Pools can withstand exposure to UV radiation.
- Insulating thermal bubbles that trap heat from the sun. Retain warmth for effective heat retention even through cool summer nights and cloudy days.
- This thick 12-mil blanket uses passive solar heating to increase your swimming pool’s temperature up to 15° F.
- 5-year manufacturer warranty.
#6 Natural Chemistry Cover Free Liquid Solar Blanket
- Invisible barrier that conserves water and heating energy
- Most advanced mono-layer technology.
- Helps conserve hundreds of gallons of pool water.
- Advanced mono-layer technology that helps save water and money by decreasing evaporation and heat loss.
- An invisible barrier conserves water and heating energy with excellent surface tension to help COVERfree remain in place.
- Dosage: 4 ounces per 20,000 gallons of pool water per week.
#7 TROPICAL FISH LIQUID SOLAR BLANKET – Liquid Heat – Solar Pool Cover in a Bottle
- Advanced liquid solar pool covers for Inground and Above Ground pools can reduce water evaporation by up to 50%
- LiquidHeat automatically spreads out over the surface to cover a pool of any shape and size.
- LiquidHeat helps retain heat in heated pools, granting an average 15% to 40% savings in energy costs.
- Once per week, pour the required amount of LiquidHeat into the pool.
- No harmful ingredients! LiquidHeat is safe for swimmers, and safe for pets drinking from the pool surface. It will not affect the balance (PH, CL, alkalinity) of the pool. It will not affect the plumbing or filtration, and will not damage vinyl liners or any other type of pool surface in any way.
Added Bonus – Vingli Pool Cover Reel Set 18Ft
- The 18 ft swimming pool cover reel makes your life easier when pulling your solar blanket cover on and off the pool.
Conclusion
In conclusion, solar pool covers are a great way to keep your pool warm and reduce evaporation. There are many different types of solar pool covers available, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs. Keep in mind the size of your pool and the climate you live in when making your decision. Solar pool covers are easy to install and use, so you’ll be able to enjoy your pool all year long!
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