I don't want to use a pool cover

[nicole12]

I was thinking about not covering up our AG pool. We don't have any trees and from the neighbors we get a handful of small leaves if we have a really windy day, so all in all it wouldn't matter. And in the winter it freezes almost solid.

My question. We live in Mass. I usually close the pool the 3rd week in September and open up right around the end of May. If I didn't use a cover would I have to close the pool later and open up earlier to avoid algae? I just don't like wasting electricity running the filter if no one is going in the pool because it's freezing.

[Poconos]

I don't like wasting anything either. I don't think the cover has anything to do with algae. At least without it you can see any algae starting and do something about it. My opinion only. Not using a cover lets you fire the pump to circulate and vacuum as necessary until the last possible date. Just because the pool is uncovered doessn't mean you have to run the pump. Once swimming season is done for me, like tomorrow, I have no fixed schedule for the pump. When I get enough crud on the bottom, I'll vacuum. I watch the FC and pH and if I need to tweak I'll run the pump for a few hours to circulate. This may be just a couple times a week. Whenever necessary.
Al

[matt4x4]

IMO I think the black cover would increase getting algae earlier since it would attract heat and since it is surrounded top and bottom by water, this heat would go into the water, making the water warmer, allowing algae to set in earlier.
I never used a cover yet for the same reason as you, it makes closing easier, it makes opening easier, and as Poconos allready stated, you can deal with algae if you see it, compared to it being under a cover.
Covers are cumbersome, many keep putting off the opening task because of this so it's usually a green cesspool when the time comes.
I just throw my pump on the pool when it doesn't get cold anymore and turn it on when I feel is a good time.

[Poconos]

Another comment, it's been stated on this forum many times that algae won't grow below 50F. NAH...it sure can. Didn't make notes in my log this last late Winter but I do know the water was in the 40's and there was the green stuff.
Al

[matt4x4]

you may be correct about it not "growing" below 50 degrees, however, if some grew while the water was above 50, it can still be there as stagnant or hybernating algae, but it won't "grow" per say.
Otherwise, I'd have infestations by october/november for sure since the shock level of chlorine and any residual chlorine in my pool would be long gone by october.
Besides, deep ponds have algae in them all winter, it just isn't active - like your lawn, it stops growing, however, it's still green, meaning it's still alive, just hybernating.