Solar Blankets....really worth the trouble ????

[pool newby]

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has a solar cover. I'm looking for one to fit my 18 ft above ground pool to boost water temps a bit and to cut down on some of the evaporation. How hard are these to put on and take off ? I'm wondering if they are really worth all the hassle, I do not want to get one of those reels, because they look tacky, IMHO. Would it be easy enough for the wife to take off or put on, as I work shift work.


thanks


Bob P
Pool newby
E Tn

[medvampire]

Bob
I have a 24 ft and have found the troublejust not worth the extra 2 to 3 up temp. Where are you in E.Tn and I will let you haul mine on and off a few times and see what you think. I have been testing a liquid solar blanket I picked up in Pigon F. and have seen solar cover like proformance. I am only loosing 1 to 3d at night and picking it back up each day. I have been able to hold 83 to 85 for the past few days. Where you running?
Steve

[Poolsean]

without a blanket, you retain approx 50% of heat.
with a liquid solar blanket, you retain approx 65-70%
with a solar blanket, you retain approx 80%

There's newer type "solar" cover in the form of MANY small circles that floats on the top. Add enough and you can cover the surface, or at least retain more heat than without anything. AND anyone can handle them.
I'll have to find the manufacturer name...

OK, found it, http://www.solarsunrings.com/index.html

[pool newby]

I like the idea of these solar rings, seems like alot easier to put on and take off and to store. I wonder how much they are?

Med vampire,

I am in the Knoxville area, and usually my temps are about 78 at night and 80-82 during the days, unless it's in the 90s like it has recently, the highest temp reading I've gotten so far is 86.


thanks


Bob P
pool newby
E Tn

[JohnnySixString]

The solar rings are about $30+ each piece. My 24' round would require about 12 of them, costing almost $400 total. Seems like a more convenient but also more expensive alternative to the blankets.

[CarlD]

I take the different POV. I'm in North Central NJ and in the spring and late summer early fall the solar cover is VERY helpful. Having tried the opaque blue-on-top/black under, the transparent blue, and the transparent heavy-weight clear, I like the last best. I find it insulates when you are looking at days of rain, or cool nights. When you are not using it on sunny days, it really helps warm the water--very useful when you open the pool.

However, they collect a lot of junk in the spring, that you either have to wash off all the time, or falls in the pool--but it least you can skim it quickly.

For a small pool, like an 18' round, I see a reel as pointless--one person can remove or replace the cover, but it's far easier with two. On a larger pool, like my 40'x16', without the reel the cover would be impossible to manage.

[kevincad]

Bob
I have a 24 ft and have found the troublejust not worth the extra 2 to 3 up temp. Where are you in E.Tn and I will let you haul mine on and off a few times and see what you think. I have been testing a liquid solar blanket I picked up in Pigon F. and have seen solar cover like proformance. I am only loosing 1 to 3d at night and picking it back up each day. I have been able to hold 83 to 85 for the past few days. Where you running?
Steve

I love my solar cover. By leaving it on at night, I get 4 or 5 degrees in a couple of days. If you have a solar cover reel, nothing could be easier. Like you, when I hauled it on and off without the reel, I hated it. Now I love it.

[kevincad]

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has a solar cover. I'm looking for one to fit my 18 ft above ground pool to boost water temps a bit and to cut down on some of the evaporation. How hard are these to put on and take off ? I'm wondering if they are really worth all the hassle, I do not want to get one of those reels, because they look tacky, IMHO. Would it be easy enough for the wife to take off or put on, as I work shift work.


thanks


Bob P
Pool newby
E Tn

I love my reel, you can take it completely off and store the cover under the deck when not in use. I hated my solar cover until I got a reel, now wouldn't be without it.