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Thread: Solar Cover Size Question

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Solar Cover Size Question

    I have a "L" shaped pool. The long side is 18' wide and 43' long. I just bought a cove and plan to cover only this section. I will have an area of 18' x 10' uncovered. Will I see enough temp gain to make it worth using the cover? I really don't want to have to piece something together if I don't have to.
    Inground Vinyl
    18' x 43' x 28' x 8' "L"
    WaterMaid Salt System

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    Brookline, MA USA
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    Default Re: Solar Cover Size Question

    Quote Originally Posted by msjulian View Post
    I have a "L" shaped pool. The long side is 18' wide and 43' long. I just bought a cove and plan to cover only this section. I will have an area of 18' x 10' uncovered. Will I see enough temp gain to make it worth using the cover? I really don't want to have to piece something together if I don't have to.
    Solar cover works. I can tell because I have one. It doesn't work by "temp gain" but rather by preventing heat loss caused by evaporation, which is about 70% of the total heat loss.
    Your partially covered area is 81% of the total pool area. This means that you'll be protecting 56% of total heat loss, as compared to a 70% heat loss shield, had you covered the entire pool.

    How's your pool heated? if you use a heater than fully covering your pool means an additional 20% energy savings. Do the math and see if buying an additional cover is worth it.
    If you wait for the water to warm up without a heater than you'll need to wait longer, and the water temp will fluctuate more as the air temp changes.
    If I were you I'd cover the other part too. Since it's only 18 by 10 and you already bought the big piece, possibly with a matching reel, you may skip buying another reel for the other part.
    Hope this helps.
    This is my ticket for Heaven (when all's working..) :

    22k Gal gunite IGP
    38 SF DE filter, 1 HP Hayward Super Pump
    Raypak 350k BTU Natural Gas Heater and solar cover
    8 gal Liquidator with bleach
    Dolphin robotic cleaner
    Taylor k-2006 test kit

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