Everything You Need to Know About Solar Covers for Above Ground Pools
A solar cover is more than just a simple pool blanket; it’s a valuable tool for enhancing your pool experience. Think of it as a large, bubble-like sheet that floats on your pool’s surface, working hard to keep your pool warm, reduce water loss, and keep out unwanted debris.
Solar covers come in different types, and choosing the right one can make a big difference. We’ll explore the options to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Why is it necessary?
The sun naturally heats your pool water, increasing the temperature by about 0.7 degrees per hour during peak sunlight, as Swimuniversity explains. But, with this warmth comes water evaporation, which can cause your pool to lose up to 5°F for every 1/4 inch of water that evaporates.
This is where solar covers, also known as solar blankets, really shine. These covers float on top of your pool, trapping the sun’s energy and keeping the heat where it belongs—inside your pool. They are especially effective at night when heat loss is most likely. By minimizing evaporation, solar blankets can retain about 95% of the heat gained during the day.
Beyond heat retention, solar covers also help you save on pool chemicals by reducing evaporation, which can prevent 35% to 60% of your pool chemicals from disappearing into thin air, depending on your location.
Important
So, no matter how you heat your pool with a heater, if you don’t cover it at night, you’ll lose it all.
Additionally, solar covers act as a protective shield against debris like leaves, twigs, and insects. This not only keeps your pool cleaner but also reduces the need for frequent chemical adjustments and cleaning.
Types of Solar Covers
There are two popular types of solar covers on the market today:
Bubble Solar Covers
These covers are made from lightweight, durable polyethylene (PE) with thousands of tiny bubbles spread across their surface. The air trapped in these bubbles works as insulation, effectively capturing the sun’s warmth and keeping your pool water from losing heat.
Benefits: Bubble covers are great at retaining heat, often giving your pool a noticeable temperature boost compared to traditional covers. They’re also budget-friendly and easy to handle.
Best use: Bubble covers are a popular choice for above-ground pools, especially for those looking for an affordable and efficient way to keep their pool water warm.
Liquid Solar Covers
How they work: These covers use a special, biodegradable liquid that spreads across your pool’s surface. It creates a thin, clear layer that helps reduce heat loss and evaporation.
When they might be appropriate: Liquid solar covers are ideal if you want to maintain a natural look for your pool. They don’t have the visible presence of bubble covers. However, they generally don’t retain heat as effectively as bubble covers.
My take
Personally, I’m not a big fan of liquid solar covers. Managing the chemicals in an above-ground pool can already be a bit overwhelming, and adding the need to monitor a liquid solar cover just feels like extra work. If you prefer a straightforward, hassle-free solution, bubble covers are the way to go.
In this post, I’ll be focusing on guiding you through the physical solar cover type, as they’re simpler to manage and more effective for most pool owners.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Solar Cover
The perfect solar cover isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. To find the best cover for your above-ground pool, keep these important factors in mind
Material
Polyethylene (PE): This is a popular choice for solar covers because it’s versatile, affordable, and resistant to chemicals. PE works well for both bubble covers and solar blankets, though it might be a bit less resistant to tearing compared to vinyl.
Vinyl: Vinyl is another common material that offers a good balance of durability and affordability. It’s a solid option for larger pools or those that face harsh weather conditions. However, it tends to be a bit more expensive.
Thickness and Mil Rating
The thicker your solar cover, the better it will be at retaining heat. Thicker covers are usually more durable and resistant to damage, though they might be a bit heavier to handle.
Mil Rating: The mil rating measures the thickness of the cover, typically ranging from 6 to 12 mils. A higher mil rating means a thicker, more durable cover, while a lower rating indicates a lighter, less durable option.
| Thickness | Temp. Increase | Price | Suitable Climate |
| 8 mil | Up to 10°F | $ | Mild climates |
| 12 mil | Up to 15°F | $$ | Moderate climates |
| 16 mil | Up to 18°F | $$$ | Cooler climates |
Pool Size
For above-ground pools, manufacturers now offer solar covers that fit all the most popular sizes. Whether you have a round pool that’s 12, 14, 18 feet, or more, there’s a cover designed to suit your needs perfectly. So, there’s no need to worry too much about finding the right size—it’s easier than ever to get a great fit
Color
The color of your pool solar cover plays a bigger role than you might think. Solar blankets come in various colors like clear, light blue and dark blue, each offering different benefits.
Clear Pool Covers
Clear covers allow maximum sunlight to penetrate, which helps heat your pool water more quickly. When exposed to direct sunlight, these covers can significantly increase the water temperature. However, it’s important to note that clear covers don’t block UV rays as effectively, which can cause chlorine and other chemicals to break down faster, meaning you’ll need to add chemicals more often.
While clear covers excel at heating the water during the day, they may not be as effective at retaining that heat overnight, leading to faster cooling.
Best Use Case: Clear covers are ideal for pools that get plenty of sunlight throughout the day, especially in warmer climates where quick heating is the goal.
Light Blue Pool Covers
Light blue solar covers are great at trapping heat and blocking UV rays, which helps conserve pool chemicals. However, they can block some of the heat from entering your pool.
This type of cover tends to be less popular because it falls in the middle without a standout purpose. When choosing a solar cover, you usually have a clear goal in mind:
- If you want to heat your pool naturally using sunlight, the clear cover is your best bet.
- On the other hand, if you’re using a heater and want to keep the warmth in, the dark blue cover is the way to go
Dark Blue Pool Covers
Dark blue solar covers excel at retaining heat in your pool. While they absorb more heat, the overall heat gained during the day is less than what a clear cover would provide.
So, if your main goal is to gain heat, a clear cover is your best bet. But if retaining heat is your priority, especially if you use a heater (gas heater or heat pump), a dark blue cover would be the ideal choice. In addition, since dark blue covers block most of the UV rays from entering the pool, the breakdown of chemicals like chlorine is minimal
Best Use Case: Dark blue covers are best for regions with cooler climates or for pools that need to retain heat effectively, particularly in the evenings.
Cost vs. Features
Solar covers come in a wide range of prices, depending on their size, materials, and features. It’s important to consider your specific needs. If you’re looking for maximum heat retention, a thicker bubble cover might be worth the extra cost.
Solar covers for above-ground pools can range from $30 to over $300. The price varies based on the size and features offered by the manufacturer.
For example, the Doheny Ultimate Clear 3200 cover has twice the number of bubbles compared to standard covers, which nearly doubles the amount of heat transfer. This efficiency comes with a price tag of over $300.
Another option is the Solar Reel for Above Ground Pools. These reel systems, often used with in-ground pools, are now available for above-ground pools too.
They’re very convenient—just pull out the cover, spread it over the pool, and you’re done. However, setting up the reel can be a bit challenging, and it’s not suitable for temporary metal frame pools or soft-side pools, as it needs to be fixed on the top rail of the pool.
Personally, I’m not very fond of this type. It’s quite expensive, bulky, and difficult to store during the winter
Solar Cover vs Winter Cover
It’s easy to confuse solar covers with winter covers, but they serve very different purposes:
Solar Cover
Purpose: Maintains water temperature, reduces evaporation, and prevents dirt from entering the pool.
Best When:
- Used in the summer to increase water temperature.
- Ideal for those who swim regularly and want to extend the swimming season.
- Can be combined with a heating system to save energy.
In Summary: Great for summer swimming, keeping your pool warm and clean
Winter Cover
Purpose: Protects the pool from the elements during the winter, preventing dirt and debris from falling in.
Best When:
- Used when the pool is not in use during the winter.
- Needed to prevent rain and snow from entering the pool, making it easier to clean when reopening in the spring.
In Summary: essential for protecting your pool during the winter, safeguarding it from debris and harsh weather.
Conclusion
Investing in a solar cover for your above-ground pool is a smart move that enhances your swimming experience and cuts down on heating costs. Choose a cover that fits your needs—clear for natural heating or dark blue for heat retention. The right cover will keep your pool warm, reduce evaporation, and protect against debris, helping you get the most out of your pool season.
