Solar blankets look a little like bubble wrap for your pool, though they are made of sturdier material. The bubbles are designed to help magnify heat from the sun to help warm the water by day and keep heat from escaping at night. The most popular solar blankets come in clear and blue colors, but according to TheSolarGuide.com, blankets in black or silver actually absorb more heat.
Water Temperature
A solar pool blanket can raise the water's temperature as much as 10 to 15 degrees at a cost of $75 to $150. They're available for purchase online and at stores that sell pool products.
Swim Season
If you live in a cooler climate, a solar pool blanket can help extend your swimming season by raising the temperature of the pool's water. The amount of extra time you get will depend on the weather. The sunnier the climate, the better.
Evaporation
Solar pool blankets also help to slow the evaporation of water from your pool. That can help to cut down on your maintenance costs.
Cleaner Water
Backyard City, an online store that sells solar pool covers, notes that these covers are not specifically intended to keep dirt and debris from your pool. However, the floating covers can help to keep the pool a little cleaner. That also may save you maintenance time and money. The store does warn that the covers are not considered safety covers and must be removed before swimmers enter the pool.
Ease of Use
Solar pool covers float freely on the top of the pool, so you don't have to bother with anchors or tie-downs to keep them in place. That makes them easy to pull off and store. The job may be a bit sloppy, so you might want to ask someone to help you lift and fold the cover, or you might consider investing in a solar power cover reel to wind it up.
Flexibility
You can use solar pool covers with both in-ground and above-ground pools. Covers are available in large sheets which you cut to the size and shape of your pool.
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