I was quite disappointed with my solar sun rings. If you laid a sheet of plain bubble wrap on top of your pool water, all the little bubbles would act as magnifying glasses and would transfer some (not a lot of) heat to the water. Both solar rings and a solar cover are only effective if they are actually being used. "width": "611", It helps us keep the lights on . If experiencing algae troubles, you may need to double-check that youre running your pump long enough. If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. When planning to purchase solar rings or a solar cover, its best to think of them as a consumable that will need to be replaced after a period of time. We have a mesh safety cover that we use for a winter cover -- that seems like tons of trouble to take on and off a lot. For bottled liquid solar cover, simply measure out the appropriate amount according to the volume of your pool, and pour it in. Now that we understand the basics of solar covers and solar rings, its time to determine which is the best for you! Solar covers generally provide more combined heating than solar rings. Keep them out of the wind, though, or they may end up all over the pool deck and yard. Solar covers and solar rings will be routinely sitting on the surface of the pool. Finally, they may catch some bugs and debris here and there, but probably not enough to make a noticeable difference in your cleaning time. Now solar covers come in Clear and Black colors, and in 8 mil, 12 mil or 16 mil thickness. Thats it. CONS:The price for a complete set of Solar Sun Rings or Solar Squares may be more expensive than regular solar blankets. Solar rings (also known as lily pads) are most commonly seen in the circle shape however, they do come in other shapes, such as squares. Both solar rings and solar covers share a common purpose: To reduce evaporation. "@type": "ImageObject", Tip: Leave a flap 2 to 3 inches long where your skimmer is so you can tuck it under the edge of the skimmer. If youre trying to use the sun to provide additional heat, its recommended that you use a translucent cover. - I have some safety concerns with a cover vs. discs since we have a child (who can swim but not well enough to escape from under a cover in case of an accidental fall-in). Offgrid -- thanks for the suggestion. There are three types of solar covers: blankets, rings, and liquid. Ultimately, the cost of either a solar cover or solar rings will vary based on the size of the pool. "identifier": "" Tip: If you remove the solar blanket temporarily, be sure to keep it covered or in the shade to prolong its life. Liquid solar cover contains aliphatic alcohols, which form a monolayer film on the surface of the water, thereby requiring upwardly escaping water molecules to expend energy in forcing adjacent molecular chains sufficiently apart to pass between them. If pH is too low or chlorine levels are too high, these could expedite degradation of the cover or rings. Straight out of the box, the solar blanket will probably hang out over the sides of your pool, especially if you have a uniquely shaped pool. A solar cover can help eliminate 60% of chemical loss. Its now typical to spend $150 or more for an 8 mil cover on a standard 18 x 36 pool. Pull about four feet out, then fold that section in half. Give a liquid solar cover a closer look to save yourself time and money. ). Solar covers may also be more likely to create an out-of-sight / out-of-mind scenario when it comes to pool water. When the sun sets and the night air cools, a lot of the heat your pool gained during the day is lost. Polyethylene is a common material for solar covers. Regardless of how and where you store them, just be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight, and away from abrasive surfaces. Note: A solar cover option very similar to rings and squares is solar mats. Solar rings do not cover as much surface as a traditional cover which will allow more heating loss. Even if someone tries walking onto a solar ring, the rings will give way without causing entrapment. Do you leave the covers on all day and night when not swimming? The lower layer is typically dark colored to absorb heat from the sun and heat the water. Do this before you deflate them to make sure nothing gets trapped in any folds or wrinkles. Yup. Concrete can damage the bubbles, making the blanket less able to float and do its job. NOTE: These solar pool covers are available to buy on either Amazon and InTheSwim.com. "primaryImageOfPage": { Most visitors online was 3404 , on Jan 24 2020, Solar pool cover & reel advice for in-ground pool, H2ot Sun Ballasted Flat Roof Solar Install, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. After you wash and dry your solar blanket, reel it up. At the Pool Supply place the salesman was trying to convince me to buy a 40' rectangular solar cover for about $200 + the Reel, another 2-300 $$ . i noticed that their 18 diameter circles (usually for above ground circular pools) were on sale for $40 each. Unless youre one of those adventurous polar bear people who like jumping into ice-cold water, you probably want to keep your swimming pool heated. I could handle spending $80 and not feel bad if we ended up not using them much. Several factors work together to determine the evaporation rate of your pool. Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Anytime your pool is left uncovered will result in some amount of evaporation. Most of them spring open and twist closed, just like a windshield sun shade. After testing, we found that any solar pool cover between 12-mil and 16-mil performed best for heat retention. And, it wont add heat to the pool, only helps retain heat or prevents heat loss. They can be trimmed in order to meet custom pool layouts. Theyre flat and do not require inflation. For temporary storage, such as when youre swimming but youll be putting the rings back on the pool later, you can simply stack them near the pool. A solar blanket can cut evaporation by about 95 percent. Although its not one of their primary purposes, solar blankets do shield your pool from bugs and debris such as leaves and twigs. I tried the blanket and reel and we bought a big one and cut to our pool but it was a hassle and never fit right and hard to get on and off by myself and its basically my pool, I swim, I found this site, I keep it clean, etc. And it says I am new here because I forgot my user name and password and set up new one last summer. Minimizing dirt, debris and bugs will help keep your pool cleaner and easier to maintain proper chemical balance. "contentUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Solar covers are usually fairly inexpensive, but you can spend a little more for a higher-quality option. Just toss these round discs on your pool when youre not using it to help gain and retain heat. Use. Keeping them in the shade or covered when not in use is recommended in order to increase their longevity. He thought it might work but recommended the more expensive solution. This will allow sunlight to reach the water for better heating. (Actually, youll find a leaf blower can come in handy for a lot of pool-related cleaning tasks.). Yes, liquid solar covers actually work and quite well. Youre not alone. Its not uncommon for a cover to be left on for an extended period of time to then find algae growth when finally removed. If you opt to use this heating method, youll have to stay on top of things with your handheld skimmer and vacuum. }, I went for the 2 circles - I posted photos on my blog. The solar cover has stood the test of time as the best way to prevent evaporation and keep the pool warm all while still being cheaper than solar rings. If youre looking to keep your pool warm without breaking the bank on a gas or electric heater, solar covers or solar rings should be top considerations. Many solar rings indicate uses of two vinyl layers for optimal strength and durability. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. Storage is a key consideration. JavaScript is disabled. In either case, solar rings are a worthwhile alternative. "name": "In The Swim", In general, the thicker the material the stronger they will be. The chemical naturally dissipates over a certain period of time, depending on how large your pool is and how much liquid solar cover you have to use. Hey offgrid, I see you had your pool built by Bob as well last year? Thats basically how liquid solar cover works. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care! Hi. When water evaporates from your pool, you dont just lose wateryou also lose some of the chemicals you use to treat that water. If thats not enough choice for you, solarblanketsare now sold side by side with SolarRingsand Solar Squares, and also available isLiquidSolar Blanket, an evaporation and heat loss chemical that forms a micro-thin layer on the surface. Of course, liquid solar cover isnt going to keep bugs, leaves, and other debris out of your pool. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Magnets holdSolar Sun Ringsor Solar Squares together, but you can easily pull them apart and stack them on the deck (in a shady area). }, For standard 5 rings you can use this chart to help determine how many you need for your pool. While 1/4 may not sound like a lot, it could actually be 100 or more gallons leaving your pool each day, depending on the size of your pool! Even some of the thick covers (16 mil) may only last the same duration as a thinner cover (8 mil). Solar rings are often marketed as being constructed of two thick layers without choice of thickness. Enter the solar blanket. Just pourLiquid Solar Blanketright amount in the pool, and it covers the surface with a microscopically thin nano-layer that blocks heat from escaping. Wow - ours is still at around 60 degrees. All the links are affiliate links which means if you click a link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Solar rings are perfect for quick pool heating during the hottest months. This means that dirt and debris will often stay on the cover rather than fall into the water. Thanks for the comments. Much of this temperature reduction is due to evaporation. How heavy do you think each circle is? This reduction of evaporation is environmentally friendly, save you time, and money. Most importantly, conservation of water is crucial in drought-stricken areas. Pool supply prices have rapidly increased in recent years, in which solar covers and solar rings are not immune. Follow the instructions to be sure you add enough packets for your pool. You will get much more visibility by. For custom shaped pools, it may not be practical to keep a solar cover in a single piece. Use multi-purpose scissors to trim the excess so the blanket fits inside the pool. This still provides a significant savings of about $2,000 in heating costs! Overall, when factoring both heat gain and heat loss, the cover will provide more heating capability due to better evaporation reduction than solar rings. Please consider. Absolutely. "@type": "ImageObject", Perfect for both inground and above ground swimming pools. But this heat gain is counteracted by water evaporation, which is dependent not only on water and air temperature but also wind on the pools surface and humidity. "@type": "BlogPosting", Run water features only when youre around to enjoy them. And on some larger pools, removing and replacing the solar blanket can be kind of a hassle, or something that requires two people. For large pools, this could equate to chemical savings of several hundred dollars each swim season. Imagine spending half as much money on chemicals every year. Neither should be stored on an abrasive surface, such as landscaping material or mulch in order to prevent punctures. For the purpose of our comparison, well continue with the solar ring phrasing. I have a inground liner pool lagoon style so it is rounded on all sides and one side is longer. }, If using a solar cover, its recommended that you periodically remove the cover during the daytime. Want to make your own DIY solar pool heater? Thicker solar covers can run upwards of $200 $300 for this size pool. Many solar rings have magnets around the edges to allow them to connect to each other. The high concentration of chlorine will damage them. Given that neither a solar cover or solar rings tend to last longer than one another, the solar cover will often be the cheapest although, keep in mind the cost of a solar reel! Save energy and money, and let the sun do the work with an solar pool heater. Your pool stays warmer than if you had no solar cover at all. But it doesnt have to be a one or the other choice. Its important to note that neither solar sun rings nor squares will cover every inch of your pool water. This method also lets you rinse off each small section before folding, if needed. However, the gaps have some benefit in that they allow direct heating from the sun into the water this can be more efficient than the sun having to go through a cover. These anchors are an important consideration if your pool is in a windy area. Solar covers can give the illusion of being a solid surface so much, that animals and young children may think they can walk on top of it. Most solar covers cost between $75 $225. And if you couple a gas or electric pool heater with a solar blanket, the heater wont need to run as long to keep your pool temperature steady. @ Bama Rambler - we have a fence around the pool, so in theory the 3-year old should never be in the pool area unsupervised, but as you say it's always somewhat of a concern. However, due to lesser coverage of the pool surface more of it is likely to end up in the water. A solar cover can raise and hold the water temperature of your inground, above ground, or Intex pool. Even though they dont cover the entire surface of the inground or above ground swimming pool, they do still help the water retain some heat overnight as well. Solar rings can reduce heating costs by about 35%. Takes literally 10 minutes on and off. You may still see some reduced chemical use with solar rings But remember that once again, the savings wont be as large as you might get with a solar blanket since the rings dont completely cover the surface of the water. Direct sunlight on a pool can break down chlorine, requiring more frequent addition of the sanitizer in order to remain effective. This allows you to push debris into the skimmer before removing the blanket. In general, its a good mindset to plan on only getting a couple years out of either solar rings or a solar cover neither has a distinct advantage here. Get the right solar cover reel, and make deploying and removing that cover easier on yourself. One solution is to cut the solar blanket into smaller panels so you can remove the pieces one at a time. The reels can be manual or automatic and simply just require cranking of a handle. If youre not already using stabilized chlorine, you may want to add cyanuric acid to the water to protect the chlorine. Spread it out bubble-side down on top of the pool water. Always check the safety notes for the brand you choose before using it, and before letting your pets into the pool. Depending on where you live, a solar cover may not keep the water as warm as an electric or gas heater, but the tradeoff is that it can actually save you money by reducing water evaporation. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. Clear solar covers heat the pool better than blue solar coversbecause they allow more of the suns heat to penetrate more efficiently. Daytime is the best time for it to heat up your water, of course, since it relies on the sun. But remember, it works constantly without your having to remember to cover the pool at night. Safety around the pool should be the #1 priority for everyone. The dark color will absorb the suns heat and will transfer that heat to the water theyre touching. You can use any kind of solar pool cover in tandem with an electric or gas heater, which will help you save money on utilities, water replacement, and pool chemicals. }, Fortunately, water anchors are designed into some rings that helps keep them grounded better. Some solar sun rings have magnets around the circumference of the outer portion. For a 600 square foot pool with 1/4 daily evaporation, this could equate to about 750 gallons saved each month. Lets take them one at a time. Obviously, youre not going to want to swim with a solar blanket on the pool, so before you get in, youll need to remove it. Longevity of these solar products can be affected by the pools water chemistry. Warranties aside, the longevity of a solar cover or solar rings will depend on several factors. "dateModified": "6/27/2016", Walking on the surface poses a significant hazard for anyone, as it could cause entrapment and drowning. While wind is a huge factor in evaporation for uncovered pools, it can also cause issues when using solar covers and solar rings. Partially removing it or folding it back isnt enough. Some pool cover reels come with a weather- and UV-resistant storage cover so you can store it outside if you dont have any indoor space for it. Tip: Dont ever leave your solar cover out to dry on your lawn. I'm thinking I'll wait later next spring. when the water is over 60 F at least. With no cover at all, pool water absorbs a substantial amount of sunlight. This not only helps the rings stay connected to each other, thereby reducing gaps, it also keeps them from overlapping and leaving even more water exposed. Is it really possible that you could pour something into your pool water that magically warms it up? Pool coverings are recommended for all pool owners as these will reduce the evaporation rate. Had a few issues but otherwise OK. Michael - Bob did ours in August also - Not sure how he does so many pools that's a lot of driving from his place in Stittsville. An entire solar cover, or smaller individual squares, or one of the many liquid solar chemicals? Evaporation can allow up to 70% of your pools chemicals to escape. In addition to warming your pool water, solar blankets offer some money-saving benefits. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The number you need to cover your pools surface will depend on the sizes of both your pool and the rings. "contentUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", The bubbles on solar covers are often round-shaped. While the cost of water due to evaporation wont typically amount to more than a few dollars each month, the process of adding water regularly can be a burden. UV in conjunction with chemical exposure will make them more brittle and susceptible to shedding in the pool. If you dont have a solar reel, you can pull the cover off and accordion fold it. However, keeping it on through the night prevents water and heat loss via evaporation. Regardless of which solution you choose, you should probably prepare to replace them every couple years any additional time you can squeeze out of them is a bonus! Vinyl is another type of material offered, and is generally more durable than polyethylene. }, Since then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub care easy for everyone. While solar rings may be constructed of heavier material than most covers, their inflatable section can be susceptible to punctures and leakage. I love this site and live by it every summer!!!!!!!!! While they don't attract the sun's heat to your pool water, they help reduce water evaporation at night to keep the heat in your water. Solar rings can help reduce the amount of makeup water by about 25% compared to not using any rings. However, other shapes such as diamond are also marketed as providing unique heating characteristics. I heated to about 62 to get the Aquarite converting to Chlorine. Really. First, unfold it next to the pool. Liquid evaporation control chemicals are not new, in fact they have been used for over 100 yearsas a way to control water reservoir levels, especially during times of drought. While pools may be heated by gas or electric heaters, there are also many pools that rely solely on the sun. Next, dry them completely. Standard 5 foot rings cost anywhere from $25 $35 per ring. Their use, care, and benefits are pretty much identical to solar rings and squares. Again, less debris in the water can save pump and vacuuming time, which saves money. Washing the covers and rings is recommended before winterizing them in order to remove the chemicals. In addition to having some of the same benefits as a solar blanket, and aside from being much easier to deploy and remove from the pool, solar rings and squares offer one major advantage over the blanket. In plain English? Click here right now and purchase our Pool Care Video Course today! In addition to bottles, you can also find liquid solar cover in special dispersal packets, sometimes shaped like a cute little fish. When the swimming season is over, long-term storage is easy, too. PROS:Available in 3 thicknesses, or 3 lifespans really, to fit anysolar blanketbudget. These are two options that nearly all pool owners can benefit from in trying to heat the pool without a heater. There will be gaps, even when theyre connected by their magnets. This means that evaporation could be responsible for upwards of $280 in chemical costs for the average pool owner. Here are our top picks for all three. It wont irritate your skin (although there may be exceptions in those who have extreme sensitivities), and it doesnt leave any residue on you or your swimsuit. Theyre measured in mil, which is the standard United States unit of measure for one-thousandth of an inch. When they are on in full Sun I find that the 1st foot of water gets very warm but not so much below that so I take them off and let the sun go deep into the water. Outer edges of the rings often require some inflation before use. These can even be decorative because some of them have patterns and images such as palm trees printed on them, while others come in fun shapes such as flowers. This will provide you opportunity for surfaces to be brushed and a visual lookover of water health. Prior to the recent skyrocketing of costs, the average residential pool owner was spending $400 per swim season for chemicals. Fortunately, they are more durable than bubble-wrap! Its for this reason that solar rings and squares are not as effective as a solar blanket at either heating your pool water or preventing evaporation. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", If the water level is not monitored regularly and gets too low, you could risk pump damage. Disrupt the wind with a pool cage, plants, patio furniture, or privacy screens. Youll inflate the inner portion only slightly, and the outer portion until its firm, the way youd blow up a balloon. I asked what he thought if I bought 2 of those and cut out the overlap for the bump ? And if you keep your filter system off at night, itll help reduce water evaporation helping you to retain the heat you gain during the day. This can make a pool using a solar cover more susceptible to algae growth than one with solar rings. Tip: You can run your pump as usual with liquid solar cover in the pool. Our Pool is also a irregular Shape it is like a kidney with an extra bump in the middle. Cutting the cover and using multiple reels may be necessary. Note: While its not a good idea for your pet to drink pool water on a regular basis, liquid solar cover is safe for the occasional sip or two your dog might decide to take when youre not looking. A recentstudyshows that full solar blankets are the most effective method. "image": { Vinyl is typically limited to covers that wont be taken on/off as frequently, as they are more heavy-duty and difficult to move around. For inground pools of custom shape, you would order a rectangle size that fits over the entire pool, and then cut the blanket to fit inside and hug the tile line around the pool. Solar pool covers help retain the heat already in the water by reducing water evaporation. Or maybe a solar cover is more hassle than youd like to deal with. Every time you lose water, through splashing or evaporation, you have to replace it. "@type": "ImageObject", The first time you unpack it, a solar blanket may be a little unwieldy, but its easily fixed. For such a modest upfront investment, you cant afford not to have one. "publisher": { CONS:Not nearly as effective as the other types of solar covers above. "url": "https://intheswim.com/", For an 18 x 36 pool, 13 rings are recommended to gain 70% coverage this could cost $300 $500. If it is cloudy or rainy I leave them on during the day also. A white plaster pool averaging 4.5 feet in depth absorbs approximately 60% of the suns energy. That savings alone would likely more than cover the cost of a solar blanket. If heat transfer is one of your goals in buying a solar blanket, keep these features and benefits in mind so you can choose the right one for your pool: Important: While it may be nice to get some heat transfer from a clear solar blanket, remember that UV rays burn off chlorine, so its a tradeoff. Long lasting and easily storable for winter, these 5 diameter rings are easier to use than traditional solar blankets. You had your pool up to 83 F on April 30 ????
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