POOL & JACUZZI SOLAR BLANKET
This is the solar pool cover that looks like bubble wrap. Solar blankets come in a wide variety of sizes and thicknesses. To find the correct size for your pool, measure the widest and longest parts of your pool.
Solar pool covers capture the energy of the sun and transfer it directly into your pool water to keep
it warm.
A Solar pool cover can raise the temperature of your in ground or above ground pool, reduce your energy costs, minimize water loss, and in some cases, even decrease chemical needs. Thus achieving cost savings while enjoying a warmer pool.
How to Use and Install a Solar Blanket
The first time you unpack it, a solar blanket may be a little unwieldy, but it’s easily fixed.
- First, unfold it next to the pool. Spread it out bubble-side down on top of the pool
water – the bubbles keep your cover afloat while acting as little magnifying glasses
to heat up your pool. - Straight out of the box, the solar blanket will probably hang out over the sides of your pool, especially
if you have a uniquely shaped pool. Use scissors to trim the
excess so the blanket fits inside the pool.
You’ll put your solar blanket on whenever the pool is not in use. Daytime is the best time for it to heat up your water, of course, since it relies on the sun. However, keeping it on through the night prevents water and heat loss via evaporation.
How to Store Your Solar Blanket
At the end of pool season, it’ll be time to break out the safety cover, and store the solar blanket. But before you do that, you must make sure the solar blanket is clean and completely dry so you don’t get a nasty, moldy surprise when you open it up next season.
To clean your solar blanket, remove it from the pool, and lay it on a soft surface like grass. Concrete can damage the bubbles, making the blanket less able to float and do its job.
Once you have it spread out flat, use a soft push broom or soft scrub brush and clean water to scrub away dirt, algae or buildup, then rinse. Dry the blanket well by hand, using a leaf blower, or hanging it up to dry.
If you’re folding your blanket up, place it in a container with a sturdy lid to keep pests out. Then store the container somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight to prevent the cover from shrinking, and the plastic container from deteriorating.
Benefits of a Solar Bubble Blanket
Reduce Evaporation
A solar blanket cover can cut evaporation by about 95 percent. Water is a scarce resource in South Africa so this benefits the environment and it reduces your water bill.
Retain Heat
When the sun sets and the night air cools, a lot of the heat your pool gained during the day is lost.
A solar blanket floating on the water keeps some of that heat from dissipating.
If you have a gas or electric pool heater you can run these for a shorter time whilst maintaining your
pool temperature.
Keep Bugs and Debris Out
Although it’s not one of their primary purposes, solar blankets do shield your pool from bugs and debris such as leaves and twigs. If your blanket does trap debris, use a hand skimmer to scoop it out before removing the cover.
The more debris you can keep out of your pool water, the less you should have to run your pump to vacuum and backwash. This will reduce your energy consumption and less cleaning means more time to enjoy your pool.
Lower Chemical Costs
When water evaporates from your pool, you don’t just lose water – you also lose some of the chemicals you use to treat that water. By using a solar blanket, you can prevent 35 to 60 percent of your pool water chemicals from disappearing into thin air.