I’m a new AGP owner (1 month) and I’m trying to figure out if I should only get a solar cover as I head into October (or do I need to think more seriously about solar water heating system). Also, which color should I get clear cover or blue cover. My schedule in October will consist of having a solar cover on 5 days (during the work week) and the cover off the other 2 days. Since we just spent a bunch of money on the pool, I’m leaning toward saving the solar water heating for next season (unless you guys convince me otherwise), and only getting the solar cover for right now.

I live in the Sacramento, California region where summer high temps typically hover around the 90s (with avg. hum low 80% morning, low 30’s in afternoon), so the uncovered AGP has been great. As we go into October temps will be dropping 10 degrees, so I'm hoping the solar cover will help extend the season and hopefully I can get back most of the lost 10 degrees back in the pool.

I’ve scanned the forum and read a few things about leaving a cover off during the day but putting back on at night, but that sounds like more work than I’m looking for. If I can't get the 5-10 degrees out of the cover, then I may need to start looking at a solar water heating system. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.