Solar Pool Covers - Extend the Swimming Season

Solar swimming pool covers can be a great investment. Solar pool covers, also known as solar pool blankets, can extend your swimming season by heating the pool to comfortable swimming temperatures up to one month earlier and one month later than when not using a solar pool cover. Solar covers can significantly reduce heating costs and are much less expensive than gas or electric heaters and rooftop solar panels.

Solar pool covers look and feel like giant bubble wrap and is cut snuggly to the shape of the swimming pool and floats freely without the need for any type of anchoring device. Sized properly, the solar cover fits neatly inside the swimming pool and will remain in place on its own. The solar cover is ideal for sunny climates and works in two basic ways. First, during the sunny hours of the day the solar cover traps the heat from the sun inside the bubbles and transfers that heat to the pool water throughout the day. Secondly, at night when most of the heat from the pool water would normally escape into the cool night air, the solar cover traps that heat in the swimming pool preventing the pool water from cooling as much as it would without the solar cover. A quality solar swimming pool cover can raise the water temperature from 5 - 15 degrees, depending on the time of year and climate.

It is important to note that solar pool covers are designed primarily for heating the swimming pool using the energy from the sun. Solar covers are NOT designed as safety covers and must be removed prior to any swimmers entering the pool. Also, the solar pool covers can be a danger for pets, so take into careful consideration the safety of any pets that occupy the back yard.

When purchasing a solar pool cover, first measure the maximum length and width of the swimming pool. It is worth purchasing one or two sizes up in order to make sure that the solar cover is large enough. The solar cover will need to be cut to the exact shape of the swimming pool by carefully laying the cover over the pool and working around the pool cutting the solar cover to fit the shape of your pool. Read the installation instructions carefully and/or contact the retailer or manufacturer if there are any questions on proper installation.

Removal and installation of the solar pool cover is fairly easy as long as one is not in a hurry. For most swimming pools it shouldn't take more than 5 - 10 minutes either way. When removed, the solar cover can be rolled up or folded for storage. Solar pool cover reels are also available and for the right application can make installation, removal, and storage a little easier.

In summary, solar swimming pool covers offer many benefits including the following:

• Extended Swimming Season
• Warmer Water Temeratures
• Reduced Heat Loss at Night
• Reduced Heating Costs
• Reduced Evaporation
• Reduced Chemical Evaporation
• Most Affordable Pool Heating Solution