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. "contentUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide",
Any evaporation that can be prevented in the pool will provide that much more water for more important matters. Polyethylene is a common material for solar covers. The bubbles keep your cover afloat while, depending on the color and type of cover, acting as little magnifying glasses to heat up your pool. While solar rings can simply be stacked on top of each other, this could result in quite a large pile depending on how many rings there are. Tip: Running your pump while your solar blanket is on is completely safe. NOTE: These solar pool covers are available to buy on either Amazon and InTheSwim.com. This method also lets you rinse off each small section before folding, if needed. 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. Storage is a key consideration. However, keeping it on through the night prevents water and heat loss via evaporation. With family investment, prototypes floated on her Murrieta home pool. Before we continue, are you tired of fighting with your pool? These are two options that nearly all pool owners can benefit from in trying to heat the pool without a heater. Thicker solar covers can run upwards of $200 $300 for this size pool. Continue pulling two-foot sections, folding each one back and forth like an accordion. Undersized covers could be pushed by the wind towards one end of the pool, and may be more susceptible to bunching up this will reduce the covers effectiveness. Keeping them in the shade or covered when not in use is recommended in order to increase their longevity. A solar cover can reduce the amount of water being added to the pool by 50%. Pool supply prices have rapidly increased in recent years, in which solar covers and solar rings are not immune. However, other shapes such as diamond are also marketed as providing unique heating characteristics. This anchor is a channel that allows water to enter in order to keep the solar ring more weighted down. 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! There are also cheap DIY solar covers that will be tons cheaper than either of these options. Preventing evaporation prevents heat loss, and voil! Is it really possible that you could pour something into your pool water that magically warms it up? These warranties often do not signify typical lifespan of the products. Some solar sun rings have magnets around the circumference of the outer portion. Thats it. This allows you to push debris into the skimmer before removing the blanket. "address": "", Fortunately, they are more durable than bubble-wrap! Tip: You can run your pump as usual with liquid solar cover in the pool. You can cut water evaporation by about 15 percent with a liquid solar cover. But regular bubble wrap is too flimsy to use for this purpose. Thanks for the comments. "name": "In The Swim", A dark, opaque cover may still let some through if the material is thin, but not as many as the light, clear cover. While wind is a huge factor in evaporation for uncovered pools, it can also cause issues when using solar covers and solar rings. Not very heavy. A solar cover will shield nearly the entire surface of the pool, which provides more effective heat retention than solar rings. 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. Save energy and money, and let the sun do the work with an solar pool heater. 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.
Heating a pool without using a covering is similar to running your homes furnace or A/C with the windows wide open its going to cost you! Walking on the surface poses a significant hazard for anyone, as it could cause entrapment and drowning. And even a lightweight cover can last if you take care of it properly. If you take care when removing the cover from the pool, most of the dirt will remain on the cover rather than falling into the pool. It will be easiest to do this by hand. This energy will heat the pool by about 0.7F per hour under the noontime sun. (Actually, youll find a leaf blower can come in handy for a lot of pool-related cleaning tasks.). Its important to note that neither solar sun rings nor squares will cover every inch of your pool water. Daytime is the best time for it to heat up your water, of course, since it relies on the sun. CONS:That you need to use a solar reel mechanism, in most cases (with exception to small pools). Now that we understand the basics of solar covers and solar rings, its time to determine which is the best for you! 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. On the flipside, solar rings allow visibility of water around the edges that may deter someone from trying to walk on it. 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. This means that dirt and debris will often stay on the cover rather than fall into the water. It helps us keep the lights on . If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 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. 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. 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. In either case, solar rings are a worthwhile alternative. I went through the same process before deciding on the following. Some solar blanket reels are available with wheels, so you can roll up your cover and then move the solar reel aside. "height": "219", For a 600 square foot pool with 1/4 daily evaporation, this could save you upwards of 1,500 gallons a month of makeup water compared to not using a cover. Solar rings can capture some dirt and debris. Solar covers and solar rings will be routinely sitting on the surface of the pool. Remove your solar blanket or rings before shocking your pool. Tired of dragging out a bulky, plastic cover to lock in the heat and save water? Both solar rings and a solar cover are only effective if they are actually being used. Magnets holdSolar Sun Ringsor Solar Squares together, but you can easily pull them apart and stack them on the deck (in a shady area). Solar covers are usually fairly inexpensive, but you can spend a little more for a higher-quality option. In plain English? When the swimming season is over, long-term storage is easy, too. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy, it costs about $3,200 on average to keep a pool in New York at 82F all season long using a gas heater without a pool cover. The thing is, if you decided to stop using liquid solar cover for any reason, all you have to do is wait a while. But wait! Theyre flat and do not require inflation. "datePublished": "6/27/2016", Direct sunlight on a pool can break down chlorine, requiring more frequent addition of the sanitizer in order to remain effective. For custom shaped pools, it may not be practical to keep a solar cover in a single piece. Solar rings often have two layers of UV resistant vinyl. This free printable cheat sheet helps keep your inground, above ground, or Intex pool clean and clear without messing with confusing water chemistry. You had your pool up to 83 F on April 30 ???? Conversely, solar rings are easy to toss into the pool without any additional equipment needed cant get any easier than that! "publisher": { Once theyre dry, deflate them, flatten them, and store them in their storage bag (if they came with one), or in a container with a lid. A minimum thickness of 8 mil is advised with many preferring at least 12 mil. This could still amount to a sizeable cost savings in chemicals. Just like any other chemical, you add to your pool water, liquid solar cover is completely safe for people and pets. However, maybe you have concerns about safety aspects of a cover such as pets or kids being entrapped. Please consider. This still provides a significant savings of about $2,000 in heating costs! Solar covers come in a range of thicknesses with the most common ones being offered in 8 mil, 12 mil and 16 mil. Solar rings are sold individually for around $25 to $35 each, or in sets for around $140 to $160 or more, depending on how many rings come in the set. Tip: Leave a flap 2 to 3 inches long where your skimmer is so you can tuck it under the edge of the skimmer. 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. "@type": "ImageObject", The shape is comprised of 2 - 18' diameter circles with that extra bump connecting them. To clean your solar blanket, remove it from the pool, and lay it on a soft surface like grass. Outer edges of the rings often require some inflation before use. Typical solar covers are constructed of vinyl, polyethylene or polypropylene along with addition of UV-protective chemicals. Pull about four feet out, then fold that section in half.
Evaporation can allow up to 70% of your pools chemicals to escape. Really. Like Walter Cronkite would say And thats the way it is , thats the complete line of covers designed to reduce evaporative heat loss, retain heat, and in the case of 2 out of 3 types, add 5-15 degrees to your pool. Many solar rings indicate uses of two vinyl layers for optimal strength and durability. You must log in or register to reply here. Yup. Run your filter during the hottest part of the day. Every time you lose water, through splashing or evaporation, you have to replace it. Hi. One solution is to cut the solar blanket into smaller panels so you can remove the pieces one at a time. Its important that after shocking the pool, these products remain off the water for at least a few hours. Ideally, youll put your solar blanket on whenever the pool is not in use. "image": { 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. Washing the covers and rings is recommended before winterizing them in order to remove the chemicals. If a solar blanket seems like too much of a hassle to put on, take off, and store during the swimming season, you may prefer solar rings or squares. Several factors work together to determine the evaporation rate of your pool. Aside from dropping your pool temperature, evaporation also has other consequences. The bubbles on solar covers are often round-shaped. "caption": "In The Swim Blog" Most of the warranties do not cover normal wear such as the bubbles gradually falling apart, a very common occurrence towards the end of useful life. He thought it might work but recommended the more expensive solution. If youre trying to use the sun to provide additional heat, its recommended that you use a translucent cover. Thats basically how liquid solar cover works. Then simply place them on the water and let them do their job. However, due to lesser coverage of the pool surface more of it is likely to end up in the water. 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. "dateModified": "6/27/2016", There will be gaps, even when theyre connected by their magnets. Some solar rings are also designed with water anchors intended to prevent them from blowing away. This chemical adds a microscopic layer on your pool water surface that you cant see or feel. Even some of the thick covers (16 mil) may only last the same duration as a thinner cover (8 mil). When not in use, you wont want a solar cover or solar rings to be occupying your lounge area around the pool. I'm thinking I'll wait later next spring. when the water is over 60 F at least. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Most solar covers cost between $75 $225. Hello , This is an inactive thread. Theres no doubt that solar covers provide better overall performance than solar rings. Its just a matter of detaching the magnets, scooping the rings from the water, and youre done! Solar rings are perfect for quick pool heating during the hottest months. While the typical blue-tinted bubble cover will allow heating from the sunlight, a clear cover allows for slightly better heating. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide" Solar rings have had reputation for being tossed around a bit more in the wind. I could handle spending $80 and not feel bad if we ended up not using them much.
We cut out all the confusion of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read illustrated ebook and video course. "width": "611", If you have a gas or electric heater, heating costs can be significantly reduced when using a solar cover or solar rings. For standard 5 rings you can use this chart to help determine how many you need for your pool. For such a modest upfront investment, you cant afford not to have one. Ultimately, the use of either a solar cover or solar rings will provide a huge benefit to your pool when compared to not using a cover at all. A one-molecule-thick layer of fatty alcohol sits on the surface of the water, inhibiting the waters ability to evaporate normally. To. Usually, youll just make a small cut in the dispersal packet, and set it free in the pool. Solar rings can reduce heating costs by about 35%. Solar covers have a variety of styles with the most common being the type that resembles bubble-wrap, known as a bubble solar cover. Its now typical to spend $150 or more for an 8 mil cover on a standard 18 x 36 pool. Much of this temperature reduction is due to evaporation. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care! Well look at a number of key categories to aid in this process.
While it wont heat your inground or above ground pool as much as a traditional electric or gas heater will, any type of solar pool cover will keep more heatand more waterin your pool. After testing, we found that any solar pool cover between 12-mil and 16-mil performed best for heat retention. PROS:Easy to install and easy to remove. These anchors are an important consideration if your pool is in a windy area. Are you heating yours with Natural Gas ? ", }, The reels can be manual or automatic and simply just require cranking of a handle. Ultimately, the cost of either a solar cover or solar rings will vary based on the size of the pool. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://blog.intheswim.com/solar-covers-solar-squares-or-liquid-solar/", For a 600 square foot pool with 1/4 daily evaporation, this could equate to about 750 gallons saved each month. Scientific studies performed at Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, Ca" 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. "logo": { Solar Rings vs Solar Cover Final Verdict, 9 Creative Ways to Heat Your Pool Without a Heater (for Nearly Free! Except its not magic; its more science! The Solar Sun Ring uses an inflatable outer ring with magnets surrounding a thick vinyl center. Longevity of these solar products can be affected by the pools water chemistry. In addition to warming your pool water, solar blankets offer some money-saving benefits. Solar covers may also be more likely to create an out-of-sight / out-of-mind scenario when it comes to pool water. Using a properly fit cover can reduce up to 95% of evaporation. Do you have a picture of this? If you get a lot of sun during the day, but lose heat due to colder temperatures at night, then you can use a liquid solar cover. A solar blankets biggest advantage is that it covers the most surface area, which both heats the water more and controls heat loss better. So, whats best? Using the same New York pool example, solar rings could reduce heating costs to around $1,100. When theyre on the water, if a child or pet (or anyone) happens to fall into the water, solar rings will break apart on impact, and will not form a solid barrier that can make it difficult to come to the surface. It must be completely removed to avoid this risk. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. The pump is key to keeping proper circulation and filtration of the water. Improper inflation may prevent them from laying flat on the surface. Does it really work? For an 18 x 36 pool, 13 rings are recommended to gain 70% coverage this could cost $300 $500. Solar covers are often offered in multiple thicknesses. Dry the blanket well by hand, using a leaf blower, or hanging it up to dry. Lets take them one at a time. 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. Use multi-purpose scissors to trim the excess so the blanket fits inside the pool. The upper layer is clear to trap insulating air which retains heat in the pool. This can make a pool using a solar cover more susceptible to algae growth than one with solar rings. Solar rings are extremely easy to remove from the pool, no reel required. PROS:Available in 3 thicknesses, or 3 lifespans really, to fit anysolar blanketbudget. "keywords": "", Solar rings often allow enough visibility to spot growth in the water that can be dealt with quicker. Want to make your own DIY solar pool heater? Their light weight can even allow for gusty winds to lift them out of the pool. Depending on the color, opacity, and type of solar blanket you use, you could very well get some actual heating benefit from it. Sometimes wrangling the cover can become enough of a nuisance where owners will decide its not worth their effort to put it on.
The number you need to cover your pools surface will depend on the sizes of both your pool and the rings. Youre not alone. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. I went for the 2 circles - I posted photos on my blog. And on some larger pools, removing and replacing the solar blanket can be kind of a hassle, or something that requires two people. Important: Its very important that you always remove a solar blanket from the pool before allowing anyone to swim, especially small children and pets. With diligent care you may be able to garner a longer lifespan from them, but its not a guarantee (and likely not warrantied). Solar rings will provide some relief in chemical loss usually around 30% or so. We like to add enough liquid solar cover to last for a month, but always follow the manufacturers instructions for optimal performance. Solar covers generally provide more combined heating than solar rings. I usually leave them on over night and take off around 10:00 am if full sun. Enter the solar blanket. When cool nights occur, its not uncommon for a pool that was in the mid 80s during the day to drop down into the 70s overnight. In 1998, acollege PE teacherapplied for and received a patent for his unique HeatSavr and began marketing Solar Fish, which contained a months worth of the evaporation suppressant. And, it wont add heat to the pool, only helps retain heat or prevents heat loss. 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. For an above ground pool, hooks can be installed on the side of the pool to hold the cover when the pool is being used. Our Pool is also a irregular Shape it is like a kidney with an extra bump in the middle. Theres more! How heavy do you think each circle is? If it is cloudy or rainy I leave them on during the day also. Up to 1/4 evaporation rate per day is fairly typical for pool owners. A solar cover can raise and hold the water temperature of your inground, above ground, or Intex pool. Each of them have unique pros and cons that should be considered before jumping into a purchase. Keep them out of the wind, though, or they may end up all over the pool deck and yard. A dedicated and protected area for the solar rings may improve their storability. For bottled liquid solar cover, simply measure out the appropriate amount according to the volume of your pool, and pour it in. Concrete can damage the bubbles, making the blanket less able to float and do its job. Yes! Solar covers are often sized to provide a close fit to the pool to ensure maximum effectiveness. As the names imply, solar rings and solar covers will see their share of sunlight when in use. In addition to bottles, you can also find liquid solar cover in special dispersal packets, sometimes shaped like a cute little fish. We even tested it. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Tired of the high electric bills to keep your pool warm? When water evaporates from your pool, you dont just lose wateryou also lose some of the chemicals you use to treat that water. Get the right solar cover reel, and make deploying and removing that cover easier on yourself. Strength can often correlate to durability and longevity.
Using a solar cover can provide an increase in water temperature of 10 15F compared to an uncovered pool. Pool coverings are recommended for all pool owners as these will reduce the evaporation rate. }, 10 Steps to Winterize Your Above Ground Pool, Raising Pool Equipment for Flood Protection, Flooded Inground Pool: 10-Steps to Recovery.
Any evaporation that can be prevented in the pool will provide that much more water for more important matters. Polyethylene is a common material for solar covers. The bubbles keep your cover afloat while, depending on the color and type of cover, acting as little magnifying glasses to heat up your pool. While solar rings can simply be stacked on top of each other, this could result in quite a large pile depending on how many rings there are. Tip: Running your pump while your solar blanket is on is completely safe. NOTE: These solar pool covers are available to buy on either Amazon and InTheSwim.com. This method also lets you rinse off each small section before folding, if needed. 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. Storage is a key consideration. However, keeping it on through the night prevents water and heat loss via evaporation. With family investment, prototypes floated on her Murrieta home pool. Before we continue, are you tired of fighting with your pool? These are two options that nearly all pool owners can benefit from in trying to heat the pool without a heater. Thicker solar covers can run upwards of $200 $300 for this size pool. Continue pulling two-foot sections, folding each one back and forth like an accordion. Undersized covers could be pushed by the wind towards one end of the pool, and may be more susceptible to bunching up this will reduce the covers effectiveness. Keeping them in the shade or covered when not in use is recommended in order to increase their longevity. A solar cover can reduce the amount of water being added to the pool by 50%. Pool supply prices have rapidly increased in recent years, in which solar covers and solar rings are not immune. However, other shapes such as diamond are also marketed as providing unique heating characteristics. This anchor is a channel that allows water to enter in order to keep the solar ring more weighted down. 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! There are also cheap DIY solar covers that will be tons cheaper than either of these options. Preventing evaporation prevents heat loss, and voil! Is it really possible that you could pour something into your pool water that magically warms it up? These warranties often do not signify typical lifespan of the products. Some solar sun rings have magnets around the circumference of the outer portion. Thats it. This allows you to push debris into the skimmer before removing the blanket. "address": "", Fortunately, they are more durable than bubble-wrap! Tip: You can run your pump as usual with liquid solar cover in the pool. You can cut water evaporation by about 15 percent with a liquid solar cover. But regular bubble wrap is too flimsy to use for this purpose. Thanks for the comments. "name": "In The Swim", A dark, opaque cover may still let some through if the material is thin, but not as many as the light, clear cover. While wind is a huge factor in evaporation for uncovered pools, it can also cause issues when using solar covers and solar rings. Not very heavy. A solar cover will shield nearly the entire surface of the pool, which provides more effective heat retention than solar rings. 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. Save energy and money, and let the sun do the work with an solar pool heater. 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.
Heating a pool without using a covering is similar to running your homes furnace or A/C with the windows wide open its going to cost you! Walking on the surface poses a significant hazard for anyone, as it could cause entrapment and drowning. And even a lightweight cover can last if you take care of it properly. If you take care when removing the cover from the pool, most of the dirt will remain on the cover rather than falling into the pool. It will be easiest to do this by hand. This energy will heat the pool by about 0.7F per hour under the noontime sun. (Actually, youll find a leaf blower can come in handy for a lot of pool-related cleaning tasks.). Its important to note that neither solar sun rings nor squares will cover every inch of your pool water. Daytime is the best time for it to heat up your water, of course, since it relies on the sun. CONS:That you need to use a solar reel mechanism, in most cases (with exception to small pools). Now that we understand the basics of solar covers and solar rings, its time to determine which is the best for you! 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. On the flipside, solar rings allow visibility of water around the edges that may deter someone from trying to walk on it. 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. This means that dirt and debris will often stay on the cover rather than fall into the water. It helps us keep the lights on . If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 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. 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. 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. In either case, solar rings are a worthwhile alternative. I went through the same process before deciding on the following. Some solar blanket reels are available with wheels, so you can roll up your cover and then move the solar reel aside. "height": "219", For a 600 square foot pool with 1/4 daily evaporation, this could save you upwards of 1,500 gallons a month of makeup water compared to not using a cover. Solar rings can capture some dirt and debris. Solar covers and solar rings will be routinely sitting on the surface of the pool. Remove your solar blanket or rings before shocking your pool. Tired of dragging out a bulky, plastic cover to lock in the heat and save water? Both solar rings and a solar cover are only effective if they are actually being used. Magnets holdSolar Sun Ringsor Solar Squares together, but you can easily pull them apart and stack them on the deck (in a shady area). Solar covers are usually fairly inexpensive, but you can spend a little more for a higher-quality option. In plain English? When the swimming season is over, long-term storage is easy, too. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy, it costs about $3,200 on average to keep a pool in New York at 82F all season long using a gas heater without a pool cover. The thing is, if you decided to stop using liquid solar cover for any reason, all you have to do is wait a while. But wait! Theyre flat and do not require inflation. "datePublished": "6/27/2016", Direct sunlight on a pool can break down chlorine, requiring more frequent addition of the sanitizer in order to remain effective. For custom shaped pools, it may not be practical to keep a solar cover in a single piece. Solar rings often have two layers of UV resistant vinyl. This free printable cheat sheet helps keep your inground, above ground, or Intex pool clean and clear without messing with confusing water chemistry. You had your pool up to 83 F on April 30 ???? Conversely, solar rings are easy to toss into the pool without any additional equipment needed cant get any easier than that! "publisher": { Once theyre dry, deflate them, flatten them, and store them in their storage bag (if they came with one), or in a container with a lid. A minimum thickness of 8 mil is advised with many preferring at least 12 mil. This could still amount to a sizeable cost savings in chemicals. Just like any other chemical, you add to your pool water, liquid solar cover is completely safe for people and pets. However, maybe you have concerns about safety aspects of a cover such as pets or kids being entrapped. Please consider. This still provides a significant savings of about $2,000 in heating costs! Solar covers come in a range of thicknesses with the most common ones being offered in 8 mil, 12 mil and 16 mil. Solar rings are sold individually for around $25 to $35 each, or in sets for around $140 to $160 or more, depending on how many rings come in the set. Tip: Leave a flap 2 to 3 inches long where your skimmer is so you can tuck it under the edge of the skimmer. 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. "@type": "ImageObject", The shape is comprised of 2 - 18' diameter circles with that extra bump connecting them. To clean your solar blanket, remove it from the pool, and lay it on a soft surface like grass. Outer edges of the rings often require some inflation before use. Typical solar covers are constructed of vinyl, polyethylene or polypropylene along with addition of UV-protective chemicals. Pull about four feet out, then fold that section in half. Evaporation can allow up to 70% of your pools chemicals to escape. Really. Like Walter Cronkite would say And thats the way it is , thats the complete line of covers designed to reduce evaporative heat loss, retain heat, and in the case of 2 out of 3 types, add 5-15 degrees to your pool. Many solar rings indicate uses of two vinyl layers for optimal strength and durability. You must log in or register to reply here. Yup. Run your filter during the hottest part of the day. Every time you lose water, through splashing or evaporation, you have to replace it. Hi. One solution is to cut the solar blanket into smaller panels so you can remove the pieces one at a time. Its important that after shocking the pool, these products remain off the water for at least a few hours. Ideally, youll put your solar blanket on whenever the pool is not in use. "image": { 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. Washing the covers and rings is recommended before winterizing them in order to remove the chemicals. If a solar blanket seems like too much of a hassle to put on, take off, and store during the swimming season, you may prefer solar rings or squares. Several factors work together to determine the evaporation rate of your pool. Aside from dropping your pool temperature, evaporation also has other consequences. The bubbles on solar covers are often round-shaped. "caption": "In The Swim Blog" Most of the warranties do not cover normal wear such as the bubbles gradually falling apart, a very common occurrence towards the end of useful life. He thought it might work but recommended the more expensive solution. If youre trying to use the sun to provide additional heat, its recommended that you use a translucent cover. Thats basically how liquid solar cover works. Then simply place them on the water and let them do their job. However, due to lesser coverage of the pool surface more of it is likely to end up in the water. 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. "dateModified": "6/27/2016", There will be gaps, even when theyre connected by their magnets. Some solar rings are also designed with water anchors intended to prevent them from blowing away. This chemical adds a microscopic layer on your pool water surface that you cant see or feel. Even some of the thick covers (16 mil) may only last the same duration as a thinner cover (8 mil). When not in use, you wont want a solar cover or solar rings to be occupying your lounge area around the pool. I'm thinking I'll wait later next spring. when the water is over 60 F at least. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Most solar covers cost between $75 $225. Hello , This is an inactive thread. Theres no doubt that solar covers provide better overall performance than solar rings. Its just a matter of detaching the magnets, scooping the rings from the water, and youre done! Solar rings are perfect for quick pool heating during the hottest months. While the typical blue-tinted bubble cover will allow heating from the sunlight, a clear cover allows for slightly better heating. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide" Solar rings have had reputation for being tossed around a bit more in the wind. I could handle spending $80 and not feel bad if we ended up not using them much.
We cut out all the confusion of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read illustrated ebook and video course. "width": "611", If you have a gas or electric heater, heating costs can be significantly reduced when using a solar cover or solar rings. For standard 5 rings you can use this chart to help determine how many you need for your pool. For such a modest upfront investment, you cant afford not to have one. Ultimately, the use of either a solar cover or solar rings will provide a huge benefit to your pool when compared to not using a cover at all. A one-molecule-thick layer of fatty alcohol sits on the surface of the water, inhibiting the waters ability to evaporate normally. To. Usually, youll just make a small cut in the dispersal packet, and set it free in the pool. Solar rings can reduce heating costs by about 35%. Solar covers have a variety of styles with the most common being the type that resembles bubble-wrap, known as a bubble solar cover. Its now typical to spend $150 or more for an 8 mil cover on a standard 18 x 36 pool. Much of this temperature reduction is due to evaporation. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care! Well look at a number of key categories to aid in this process.
While it wont heat your inground or above ground pool as much as a traditional electric or gas heater will, any type of solar pool cover will keep more heatand more waterin your pool. After testing, we found that any solar pool cover between 12-mil and 16-mil performed best for heat retention. PROS:Easy to install and easy to remove. These anchors are an important consideration if your pool is in a windy area. Are you heating yours with Natural Gas ? ", }, The reels can be manual or automatic and simply just require cranking of a handle. Ultimately, the cost of either a solar cover or solar rings will vary based on the size of the pool. "mainEntityOfPage": "https://blog.intheswim.com/solar-covers-solar-squares-or-liquid-solar/", For a 600 square foot pool with 1/4 daily evaporation, this could equate to about 750 gallons saved each month. Scientific studies performed at Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, Ca" 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. "logo": { Solar Rings vs Solar Cover Final Verdict, 9 Creative Ways to Heat Your Pool Without a Heater (for Nearly Free! Except its not magic; its more science! The Solar Sun Ring uses an inflatable outer ring with magnets surrounding a thick vinyl center. Longevity of these solar products can be affected by the pools water chemistry. In addition to warming your pool water, solar blankets offer some money-saving benefits. Solar covers may also be more likely to create an out-of-sight / out-of-mind scenario when it comes to pool water. Using a properly fit cover can reduce up to 95% of evaporation. Do you have a picture of this? If you get a lot of sun during the day, but lose heat due to colder temperatures at night, then you can use a liquid solar cover. A solar blankets biggest advantage is that it covers the most surface area, which both heats the water more and controls heat loss better. So, whats best? Using the same New York pool example, solar rings could reduce heating costs to around $1,100. When theyre on the water, if a child or pet (or anyone) happens to fall into the water, solar rings will break apart on impact, and will not form a solid barrier that can make it difficult to come to the surface. It must be completely removed to avoid this risk. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. The pump is key to keeping proper circulation and filtration of the water. Improper inflation may prevent them from laying flat on the surface. Does it really work? For an 18 x 36 pool, 13 rings are recommended to gain 70% coverage this could cost $300 $500. Solar covers are often offered in multiple thicknesses. Dry the blanket well by hand, using a leaf blower, or hanging it up to dry. Lets take them one at a time. 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. Use multi-purpose scissors to trim the excess so the blanket fits inside the pool. The upper layer is clear to trap insulating air which retains heat in the pool. This can make a pool using a solar cover more susceptible to algae growth than one with solar rings. Solar rings are extremely easy to remove from the pool, no reel required. PROS:Available in 3 thicknesses, or 3 lifespans really, to fit anysolar blanketbudget. "keywords": "", Solar rings often allow enough visibility to spot growth in the water that can be dealt with quicker. Want to make your own DIY solar pool heater? Their light weight can even allow for gusty winds to lift them out of the pool. Depending on the color, opacity, and type of solar blanket you use, you could very well get some actual heating benefit from it. Sometimes wrangling the cover can become enough of a nuisance where owners will decide its not worth their effort to put it on.
The number you need to cover your pools surface will depend on the sizes of both your pool and the rings. Youre not alone. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. I went for the 2 circles - I posted photos on my blog. And on some larger pools, removing and replacing the solar blanket can be kind of a hassle, or something that requires two people. Important: Its very important that you always remove a solar blanket from the pool before allowing anyone to swim, especially small children and pets. With diligent care you may be able to garner a longer lifespan from them, but its not a guarantee (and likely not warrantied). Solar rings will provide some relief in chemical loss usually around 30% or so. We like to add enough liquid solar cover to last for a month, but always follow the manufacturers instructions for optimal performance. Solar covers generally provide more combined heating than solar rings. I usually leave them on over night and take off around 10:00 am if full sun. Enter the solar blanket. When cool nights occur, its not uncommon for a pool that was in the mid 80s during the day to drop down into the 70s overnight. In 1998, acollege PE teacherapplied for and received a patent for his unique HeatSavr and began marketing Solar Fish, which contained a months worth of the evaporation suppressant. And, it wont add heat to the pool, only helps retain heat or prevents heat loss. 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. For an above ground pool, hooks can be installed on the side of the pool to hold the cover when the pool is being used. Our Pool is also a irregular Shape it is like a kidney with an extra bump in the middle. Theres more! How heavy do you think each circle is? If it is cloudy or rainy I leave them on during the day also. Up to 1/4 evaporation rate per day is fairly typical for pool owners. A solar cover can raise and hold the water temperature of your inground, above ground, or Intex pool. Each of them have unique pros and cons that should be considered before jumping into a purchase. Keep them out of the wind, though, or they may end up all over the pool deck and yard. A dedicated and protected area for the solar rings may improve their storability. For bottled liquid solar cover, simply measure out the appropriate amount according to the volume of your pool, and pour it in. Concrete can damage the bubbles, making the blanket less able to float and do its job. Yes! Solar covers are often sized to provide a close fit to the pool to ensure maximum effectiveness. As the names imply, solar rings and solar covers will see their share of sunlight when in use. In addition to bottles, you can also find liquid solar cover in special dispersal packets, sometimes shaped like a cute little fish. We even tested it. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Tired of the high electric bills to keep your pool warm? When water evaporates from your pool, you dont just lose wateryou also lose some of the chemicals you use to treat that water. Get the right solar cover reel, and make deploying and removing that cover easier on yourself. Strength can often correlate to durability and longevity. Using a solar cover can provide an increase in water temperature of 10 15F compared to an uncovered pool. Pool coverings are recommended for all pool owners as these will reduce the evaporation rate. }, 10 Steps to Winterize Your Above Ground Pool, Raising Pool Equipment for Flood Protection, Flooded Inground Pool: 10-Steps to Recovery.