The Complete Guide to SOLAR POOL COVERS (Solar Blankets) | Swim University

A solar pool cover (or solar blanket) can raise the temperature of your pool, reduce energy costs, minimize water loss, and even decrease chemical needs.

⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Solar Pool Covers
01:03 - How Solar Blankets Work
01:58 - Do Liquid Solar Covers Work
02:27 - How To Use A Solar Pool Cover Properly
05:03 - How To Save Money And Energy With Your Pool Heater
05:33 - Pool Care Video Course
06:19 - How To Buy The Right Solar Pool Cover
07:06 - How Long Will Solar Covers Last
08:11 - How To Cool Down A Pool

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[SwimUniversity]

Do you use a solar cover to heat your pool?

[kingsindahole]

Pool maintainence business owner in Jersey.... First pool blog that I found that is factual and honest.... And fun... I'm considering using your videos as tutorials for my employees then testing them afterwards... Keep it up... I'm very impressed... I will help you guys "keep the lights on" and purchase your online stuff... good work

[sheilamack]

I used solar bubble blanket. It does heat up the water about 12" deep to where you cannot touch the water until you mix it. So it really helps to heat water and keep heat in overnight.

[bazoulai]

You have the best videos! I wish you could go back and remake all your old videos this way.... most of the old ones are really hard to watch but you have SUCH good information and are really good at educating!

[NuNuRokd]

I have a 16x32 inground. I disagree that solar covers do not actively heat your pool. Obviously what you said is accurate that it keeps heat in but that's the point. It's doing a job. Take a nice hot 90 degree day. Solar cover off. By about 3pm the top foot of water will probably be mid 80s. Same scenario solar cover....100 degrees top foot. Turn your pump on so it all mixes and you got a pool around 90. Best results is cover on all night and all day till swim time.

[gregorygorbach]

There is not more evaporation at night when it is cooler. In practical terms, the only factor that controls the rate of evaporation is temperature. Higher temp, more evaporation. Lower temp (like at night), less evaporation. What is true is that evaporation is the main factor in cooling the pool. The conduction of heat from the liquid surface of the pool to the cooler night air is much less than the heat lost through evaporation. So the idea that controlling evaporation is the best way to conserve heat is correct. Your explanation is a little shaky.
Sincerely, a chemistry teacher

[lilliputlittle]

You have some great videos. You're helping me gain knowledge and a bit of confidence before my above-ground pool (wee one as my "starter pool) arrives.

I did grow up with pools but my mom was the water pro. She handled the different pools and also tons of fish tanks in our home. When Midwest summers led to bathwater temp pools - we'd wait until 5 pm and then go to Miner's ICE. They'd dump their unpurchased blocks/bags of ice outside - free for the taking! We'd grab a few blocks, take them home and chuck them in the pool. We'd have a nice, cool pool to swim in after supper :)

[Dominochaney]

This video was great answered all my questions cleared up misconceptions I think I’m gonna go with the liquid solar cover cut out all the hassle of making sure it’s on or off just don’t run my filter at night unless I want the water cooler I’m a simple man that needs simple solutions I’m so glad I clicked on this one.

[laurazeller]

We live in Florida and have solar panels. However, I'm interested in checking out the liquid in order to stop some of the evaporation when we are on a trip. Thank you for this video!

[keithpalmer]

Solar covers deteriorate in high heat and they get hotter when rolled up out of the water. Try covering with white plastic sheet to make it last longer.

[devos]

I'm just wondering if the DE filter will take off the liquid solar cover. I just added some to my pool and realized DE filters stop between 2 to 5 microns and a typical molecule is under 1 micron so hopefully the Aqua blankets are on the small end of a one molecule deep lol

[crp]

Bloody good video mate you just solved a problem which I have with my above ground thermal cover.Just untie it in the middle and use it a two piece!!! It is a bastard to pull over and on as one 18ft round 6mm thick cover (it is joined by ropes in the middle so it can fold) but by separating them I can handle it so much easier!?! So simple but so bloody brilliant ! Thanks mate it’s early summer here in New Zealand with temps in the early 30s so the pool is in full swing 👍👍👍👍😎

[jackdawson]

We use a solar blanket and liquid solar cover in a semi inground pool. June temps in NYC have been in the 70's in the day, 60's at night. My pool temp reaches by early afternoon every day. Water temp only goes down to 80. I can only imagine how warm my pool water will get in July. We run the pump in the late morning. Blanket is left on when pool not in use day and night.

[sheldk]

Do you have any suggestions with a solar blanket reel for an above ground with a safety fence?

[natalielabrosse]

Hello! Thank you so much for all of your great pool advice!! I couldn’t of done it without you!! For the pool heat cover choices…could you do the liquid with the ring covers at night? And either or I would need to put my pool pump off at night? Thank you in advance

[glennprince]

Regarding pool covers deteriorating ... I had that problem mainly when I removed the cover, it rubbed along the edge. I bought a roller and have not had that problem the past two years ... no bits/pieces of cover in the pool.

[ChuckD]

Great explanation of solar covers. I played with them a couple years on my 17x33 in ground. Gave up on them just because I didn't see enough of a benefit (Northeast US) for the trouble.
But what I understand about them, and you alluded to it a couple times, was the evaporative loss, because that's when the pool cools. Just as when you sweat you cool off due to the evaporative effect. I'm sure a highschool physics student could explain it better but the heat loss is directly related to, and due mostly to, evaporation.
Also I'd like to have seen how much surface area remains exposed with those solar rings, seems like simple geometry to calculate and I'm betting you only cover 60-70% if you an optimum number of rings arranged in an optimum pattern.
And liquid pool cover? Ugh, who'd want to swim in that? Sounds like an oil of some kind.

[marjorietulanakeller]

Do you put the cover on while the pool filters are running during the day when you're not swimming?

[joshb]

Awesome video! 2 quick questions, how do you use a pool cover with an irregularly shaped pool and second, how do you use a cover with a waterfall feature? We have an attached spa that overflows into the main pool as a waterfall. Which makes me think of another question, would it be worth even getting a cover with a waterfall (bc evaporation would be high.)

[FREEHAND.WETGRINDER]

I’ve had several of these covers. Usually the 3year warranty blue ones. They last 1 year. The chain pool supplier let’s me bring in a piece of the cover to show them and I leave with a new cover