Best Solar Covers

by MK
(Sedgwick, KS)

What are the best solar covers on the market? I'm going to need one for my AGP 24 x 52. It's near a wheat field and will be in direct sun a good portion of the day.

How do those tie down, or do they? I'll need good support for windy days. Thanks. MK

Hi MK

There are several thicknesses of solar covers, so the more expensive thicker ones, would be the ones that will last the longest. Once you have the cover you need to follow the instructions very closely.

The cover will need to be laid out on the top of the pool and let sit in the sun for a certain amount of time before it is cut to size. You will then trim the cover so that it fits directly on the water just as close to the wall all the way around as possible. The covers tend to suction themselves to the water so blowing off is not usually a problem. I've used them for years and never had a problem with them blowing off the pool.

You will probably also want a winter cover. Those are the ones you can throw on the pool when you are expecting a bad storm or when you are setting the pool up for the winter. These covers go over the top of the pool and attach with a heavy cable around the outside. The same buying strategy applies here also, you get what you pay for. It you want it to last a few years then buy a good one.

Solar Pool Cover

Pool Covers

Solar Cover As Winter Cover

by Adam
(Austin, TX)

Can I use a solar pool cover as a winter cover?

I have a deck around half of my 18x34 AGP and am trying to figure out the best way to cover it in the winter.

I am in Central Texas so I'm not worried about snow.

Hi Adam

There is nothing wrong with using your solar cover as a winter cover. You will be able to swim longer into the cold months because of the extra heat. You will also be able to swim earlier in the spring.

The only thing you have to remember is as the weather begins to warm in the spring, the pool will heat up quickly. That means you need to be on top of your needed filtration hours and your chemicals. It is very easy for spring to sneak up on you.

The winter months usually mean running the filter once or twice a week and maybe throwing chlorine into the pool every other week. With the cover on all winter the water will stay warmer and will need more care. Just don't forget about it until it is a wonderful green color, that's not a good thing.

Below is a photo of a winter cover strapped to a pool deck. It might give you an idea how this might be done.

Solar Cover Day and Night

by Adam Wilkins
(kingston, n.s, canada)

Will your pool warm up faster with a solar blanket on it during the day or should I just put it on at night?

Hi Adam

A solar blanket does two things, it turns the suns rays into pool heat during the day and it keeps the heat from escaping by night.

So when you are seriously trying to heat the pool you take the blanket off only long enough to swim. As the water becomes comfortable, but yet the nights are still cool, leave the blanket on at night to keep some of the warmth in the pool. Otherwise it will try to take on the same temperature as the cool night air.

When the nights are warm and the pool temp as warm as you want it to get, just leave it off altogether. And when things really heat up and the water needs cooling down try an aerator. This sprays water into the air bringing some of it back down into the pool water. If this is done during the day you are bringing warm air into the pool, not what you want. But done at night it brings cooler air into the pool and can actually lower the water temperature.