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Hello,
Does anyone know if all solar covers are created equal. There is clear,black,blue etc. as well as bubbles vs diamonds! Also, how effective are solar heaters/panels. I have read where in some models they are not effective at all.
Would like to try and get it right with first purchase.
Thanks,
Carrie:)
The main purpose of a 'solar cover' is to keep heat in the pool at night by preventing evaporation, which can cause a significant heat loss overnight. They are meant to be removed during the day since directly sunlight is usually more effective at heating the water then a cover.
The thin 8 mil and less are not worth the money since they don't last.
the 16 mil and thicker are very expensive and don't really last that much longer than the 12 mil to warrant the higher price. They are also harder to handle.
My choice is a 12 mil cover (often called a 5 year cover but if you get 2-3 years out of it you are doing great!) I used to use the silver/blue ones myself because they were generally cheaper in my area but I have stopped using one completely since one of my dogs almost drowned because of it. She thought it was solid and tried to run across it and fell in and was trapped under it. Thank goodness we were outside by the pool when it happened and we were able to jump in and rescue her!
I use the standard blue 8mil cover which I have found to last about the same as the 12mil covers. I usually get 2 years out of the 8mil and I got 2 1/2 years out of the 12mil so I decided the price difference wasn't worth it.
For me I end up getting about an extra month on both ends of the season with using one. I leave the cover on all the time except when swimming of course, and then I leave it off once the temps start to stay in the mid to upper 80's for the day.
Maybe the diamond design or different colors work a little better but I haven't seen anything that convices me that it is worth the extra cost.
My suggestion is to start out with an 8 or 12mil cover and see how it works for you and in a couple of years you will have the opportunity to replace it with something else.
Carrie,
Don't know what shape pool you have but mine is an oval and the cover is about a 16x32. I roll it on about a 14 foot piece of 2" PVC pipe then lift it out. Found the 8 mil is too flimsy to roll easily and 12 works great. Not flimsy and not too heavy.
Al