Both solar rings and a solar cover are only effective if they are actually being used. You are using an out of date browser. And if you keep your filter system off at night, itll help reduce water evaporation helping you to retain the heat you gain during the day. But regular bubble wrap is too flimsy to use for this purpose. In addition to bottles, you can also find liquid solar cover in special dispersal packets, sometimes shaped like a cute little fish. Much of this temperature reduction is due to evaporation. So, whats best? "logo": { Which version works best for you will depend mostly on how much space you have around your pool. However, vinyl covers are heavier and can be more challenging to handle due to its thickness. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. Solar rings are perfect for quick pool heating during the hottest months. No solar reel or solar roller is needed! Always check the safety notes for the brand you choose before using it, and before letting your pets into the pool. Lets take them one at a time. "address": "", Keep the bag or container in a cool, dry place. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. Improper inflation may prevent them from laying flat on the surface. Taking a leaf blower to solar rings may just blow them right back into the pool, or into the neighbors yard. Dry the blanket well by hand, using a leaf blower, or hanging it up to dry. "description": "Solar Covers, Solar Squares or Liquid Solar?
This method also lets you rinse off each small section before folding, if needed. Whether using a solar cover or solar rings, its important that they are stored in a shaded area or covered in order to prevent UV degradation. For those that have a traditional pool heater, you probably know how expensive the utility bills can get. Good for both inground, above ground, and Intex pools, the solar reel is placed at one end of the pool. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Long lasting and easily storable for winter, these 5 diameter rings are easier to use than traditional solar blankets. Please consider. ). As the names imply, solar rings and solar covers will see their share of sunlight when in use. Fortunately, water anchors are designed into some rings that helps keep them grounded better. 
Once theyre dry, deflate them, flatten them, and store them in their storage bag (if they came with one), or in a container with a lid. Except its not magic; its more science! If heat transfer is one of your goals in buying a solar blanket, keep these features and benefits in mind so you can choose the right one for your pool: Important: While it may be nice to get some heat transfer from a clear solar blanket, remember that UV rays burn off chlorine, so its a tradeoff. For custom shaped pools, it may not be practical to keep a solar cover in a single piece. @ Bama Rambler - we have a fence around the pool, so in theory the 3-year old should never be in the pool area unsupervised, but as you say it's always somewhat of a concern. Hello , This is an inactive thread. Send a pm to JasonLion and he can combine your accounts and fix the password. Most of them spring open and twist closed, just like a windshield sun shade. Any evaporation that can be prevented in the pool will provide that much more water for more important matters. If youre looking to keep your pool warm without breaking the bank on a gas or electric heater, solar covers or solar rings should be top considerations. Solar rings (also known as lily pads) are most commonly seen in the circle shape however, they do come in other shapes, such as squares. Stop struggling with that solar cover, and don't cut it up. You will get much more visibility by. The inflatable outer chamber, which keeps these afloat, could become punctured, requiring repair. If youd rather not cut the blanket up, a convenient alternative is a solar cover reel. Since then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub care easy for everyone. Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. This can make a pool using a solar cover more susceptible to algae growth than one with solar rings. That would definitely be cheaper than getting a big enough rectangular cover and cutting it into several pieces. After you wash and dry your solar blanket, reel it up. Although its not one of their primary purposes, solar blankets do shield your pool from bugs and debris such as leaves and twigs. Particularly when nights are cool, diligent use of them is necessary in keeping the pool warm. Get the right solar cover reel, and make deploying and removing that cover easier on yourself. For a classic solar cover thatll not only heat your pool but will also help reduce water and chemical evaporation at night, we like this lightweight clear solar cover. Using a properly fit cover can reduce up to 95% of evaporation. Liquid solar cover ranges in price from about $10 to about $30 or more, depending on brand and whether you buy a single container or a pack of multiple containers. Anytime your pool is left uncovered will result in some amount of evaporation. A dedicated and protected area for the solar rings may improve their storability. Theres more! And on some larger pools, removing and replacing the solar blanket can be kind of a hassle, or something that requires two people. 
Its not uncommon for a cover to be left on for an extended period of time to then find algae growth when finally removed.
While theyre not as efficient as a solar blanket, they can still reduce pool water evaporation by about 50 percent, which can still save you money on water, chemicals, and heating. }, While solar rings can simply be stacked on top of each other, this could result in quite a large pile depending on how many rings there are. The lower layer is typically dark colored to absorb heat from the sun and heat the water.
This is largely due to the covers ability to reduce evaporation along with harnessing the suns energy. While pools may be heated by gas or electric heaters, there are also many pools that rely solely on the sun. Every time you lose water, through splashing or evaporation, you have to replace it. Most people are frustrated by their pools because they dont know what to do or how to fix it when something goes wrong. Overall, when factoring both heat gain and heat loss, the cover will provide more heating capability due to better evaporation reduction than solar rings. }, Theyre flat and do not require inflation. Warranties aside, the longevity of a solar cover or solar rings will depend on several factors. I went to your blog and the picture didn't show in the post - I might need to get 2 of the 21ft ones though. Safety around the pool should be the #1 priority for everyone. Its for this reason that solar rings and squares are not as effective as a solar blanket at either heating your pool water or preventing evaporation. Want to make your own DIY solar pool heater? Its recommended that you aim to cover about 70-80% of the pools surface with solar rings. Partially removing it or folding it back isnt enough. Some solar rings are also designed with water anchors intended to prevent them from blowing away. "@type": "ImageObject", Solar covers are often offered in multiple thicknesses. A light-colored, clear cover will allow the suns UV rays to pass through to the water, thereby heating it. {
Theyre measured in mil, which is the standard United States unit of measure for one-thousandth of an inch. Tip: Dont ever leave your solar cover out to dry on your lawn. Check both sites for availability. "wordCount": "707", For the purpose of our comparison, well continue with the solar ring phrasing. Tip: Running your pump while your solar blanket is on is completely safe. Use. A mil is equivalent to one-thousandth of an inch (or 0.0254 mm).
It's easy to pull them out and fold (like an accordian, then into a 3' square that I stack against the fence. For temporary storage, such as when youre swimming but youll be putting the rings back on the pool later, you can simply stack them near the pool.
Heating a pool without using a covering is similar to running your homes furnace or A/C with the windows wide open its going to cost you! Offgrid -- thanks for the suggestion. While that might be entertaining, it wont be efficient. Higher mil solar covers absorbed more heat and were found to be more durable against the sun damage, chemical resistance, and ripping. When the swimming season is over, long-term storage is easy, too. Unlike the solar blankets air-filled bubbles, solar rings are flat and must be inflated before you place them on the water. 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. In addition to having some of the same benefits as a solar blanket, and aside from being much easier to deploy and remove from the pool, solar rings and squares offer one major advantage over the blanket. Solar rings often have two layers of UV resistant vinyl. Solar rings are sold individually for around $25 to $35 each, or in sets for around $140 to $160 or more, depending on how many rings come in the set. For an above ground pool, hooks can be installed on the side of the pool to hold the cover when the pool is being used. "url": "https://blog.intheswim.com/" LovemyPool - Great Post. Some pool cover reels come with a weather- and UV-resistant storage cover so you can store it outside if you dont have any indoor space for it. Use multi-purpose scissors to trim the excess so the blanket fits inside the pool. A recentstudyshows that full solar blankets are the most effective method. Typical solar covers are constructed of vinyl, polyethylene or polypropylene along with addition of UV-protective chemicals. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. While it wont heat your inground or above ground pool as much as a traditional electric or gas heater will, any type of solar pool cover will keep more heatand more waterin your pool. If a solar blanket seems like too much of a hassle to put on, take off, and store during the swimming season, you may prefer solar rings or squares. "url": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide" To get the most heat transfer from a solar blanket, look for one that is white or clear on top, with dark or black bubbles. Well look at a number of key categories to aid in this process. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
While solar rings may be constructed of heavier material than most covers, their inflatable section can be susceptible to punctures and leakage. For a 600 square foot pool with 1/4 daily evaporation, this could save you upwards of 1,500 gallons a month of makeup water compared to not using a cover. "dateModified": "6/27/2016", The higher the evaporation rate, the more frequently youll need to add water. You can cut water evaporation by about 15 percent with a liquid solar cover. Run your filter during the hottest part of the day. If it is cloudy or rainy I leave them on during the day also. "contentUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Of course, liquid solar cover isnt going to keep bugs, leaves, and other debris out of your pool. All thicknesses will heat the pool at the same rate. On the flipside, solar rings allow visibility of water around the edges that may deter someone from trying to walk on it. But this heat gain is counteracted by water evaporation, which is dependent not only on water and air temperature but also wind on the pools surface and humidity. Our comprehensive illustrated guide and video lessons will show you exactly what to do so you can get back in the water fast. They are also relatively affordable and when used with a reel and protected from the elements, can last 3-7 years, depending on the thickness. Dark blue solar covers are great for heat retention. However, keeping it on through the night prevents water and heat loss via evaporation. This anchor is a channel that allows water to enter in order to keep the solar ring more weighted down. "contentUrl": "https://x1.adis.ws/v1/media/graphics/i/lesl/its-logo-wide", Once you have the rings out of the water, spray them off and, if necessary, use a soft push broom or brush to clear any debris from them. A solar blanket can cut evaporation by about 95 percent. Daytime is the best time for it to heat up your water, of course, since it relies on the sun. When planning to purchase solar rings or a solar cover, its best to think of them as a consumable that will need to be replaced after a period of time. They didn't do much heating, possibly some heat retention, and they also dropped tons of **** into the pool everytime I removed them. One solution is to cut the solar blanket into smaller panels so you can remove the pieces one at a time. While the typical blue-tinted bubble cover will allow heating from the sunlight, a clear cover allows for slightly better heating. Its now typical to spend $150 or more for an 8 mil cover on a standard 18 x 36 pool.
Ideally, youll put your solar blanket on whenever the pool is not in use. If youre not already using stabilized chlorine, you may want to add cyanuric acid to the water to protect the chlorine. Youll attach one end of the solar blanket to the reel, and then turn the handle or wheel. Preventing evaporation prevents heat loss, and voil! Evaporation can account for 50-70% of your pools heat loss. For bottled liquid solar cover, simply measure out the appropriate amount according to the volume of your pool, and pour it in. But before you run out and drop the dough on a traditional electric or gas heater, have you considered a solar pool cover? Youre not alone. This means that dirt and debris will often stay on the cover rather than fall into the water. The reason is simple: TFPC (Trouble Free Pool Care) is a methodology, not a product that you must purchase. Disrupt the wind with a pool cage, plants, patio furniture, or privacy screens. Several factors work together to determine the evaporation rate of your pool. I'm thinking I'll wait later next spring. when the water is over 60 F at least. Magnets holdSolar Sun Ringsor Solar Squares together, but you can easily pull them apart and stack them on the deck (in a shady area).
However, due to lesser coverage of the pool surface more of it is likely to end up in the water. Tip: Leave a flap 2 to 3 inches long where your skimmer is so you can tuck it under the edge of the skimmer. Tip: You can continue to run your pump while solar rings are on the pool. UV in conjunction with chemical exposure will make them more brittle and susceptible to shedding in the pool. Minimizing dirt, debris and bugs will help keep your pool cleaner and easier to maintain proper chemical balance. Vinyl is another type of material offered, and is generally more durable than polyethylene. A solar blankets biggest advantage is that it covers the most surface area, which both heats the water more and controls heat loss better. Thicker solar covers can run upwards of $200 $300 for this size pool. Evaporation can allow up to 70% of your pools chemicals to escape. Although we cant think of any reason why youd want to, the only way to remove liquid solar cover from your pool water would be to drain the pool and refill it, and no one wants to do that if it can be avoided. Walking on the surface poses a significant hazard for anyone, as it could cause entrapment and drowning. The thing is, if you decided to stop using liquid solar cover for any reason, all you have to do is wait a while. Given that neither a solar cover or solar rings tend to last longer than one another, the solar cover will often be the cheapest although, keep in mind the cost of a solar reel! When the sun sets and the night air cools, a lot of the heat your pool gained during the day is lost. Many solar rings indicate uses of two vinyl layers for optimal strength and durability. Regardless of which solution you choose, you should probably prepare to replace them every couple years any additional time you can squeeze out of them is a bonus! This will provide you opportunity for surfaces to be brushed and a visual lookover of water health. Regular use of a solar cover can help reduce heating costs by 70%. Their use, care, and benefits are pretty much identical to solar rings and squares. Most solar covers cost between $75 $225. Now there are at least half a dozen brands of Liquid Solar. Pool supply prices have rapidly increased in recent years, in which solar covers and solar rings are not immune. While these products typically have UV-resistant chemicals embedded within their material, the sunlight will take its toll on them. I usually leave them on over night and take off around 10:00 am if full sun. Depending on the color, opacity, and type of solar blanket you use, you could very well get some actual heating benefit from it. This allows you to push debris into the skimmer before removing the blanket. Like Walter Cronkite would say And thats the way it is , thats the complete line of covers designed to reduce evaporative heat loss, retain heat, and in the case of 2 out of 3 types, add 5-15 degrees to your pool. These can even be decorative because some of them have patterns and images such as palm trees printed on them, while others come in fun shapes such as flowers. With proof of product, the business grew each year until it was being sold in thousands of retail outlets, to pool owners everywhere. "name": "In The Swim", Hey offgrid, I see you had your pool built by Bob as well last year? "name": "Matt Spencer", A solar cover can raise and hold the water temperature of your inground, above ground, or Intex pool. The solar cover has stood the test of time as the best way to prevent evaporation and keep the pool warm all while still being cheaper than solar rings. 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. Warmer water temperatures will promote algae growth without appropriate chemical balance in the pool. "keywords": "", Solar covers have a variety of styles with the most common being the type that resembles bubble-wrap, known as a bubble solar cover. Aside from dropping your pool temperature, evaporation also has other consequences. Their light weight can even allow for gusty winds to lift them out of the pool. Liquid solar covers are about 75 percent as effective as solar blankets at retaining heat. However, the gaps have some benefit in that they allow direct heating from the sun into the water this can be more efficient than the sun having to go through a cover. The Solar Sun Ring uses an inflatable outer ring with magnets surrounding a thick vinyl center. I went through the same process before deciding on the following. Even if someone tries walking onto a solar ring, the rings will give way without causing entrapment. The number you need to cover your pools surface will depend on the sizes of both your pool and the rings. Longevity of these solar products can be affected by the pools water chemistry. Solar rings will provide some relief in chemical loss usually around 30% or so. Well, heres one area where solar blankets and rings are the clear winner. If you laid a sheet of plain bubble wrap on top of your pool water, all the little bubbles would act as magnifying glasses and would transfer some (not a lot of) heat to the water. Again, less debris in the water can save pump and vacuuming time, which saves money. JavaScript is disabled. "primaryImageOfPage": { "height": "219", Nope, were actually adding a chemical cost with this one.
Enter the solar blanket. Based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy, it costs about $3,200 on average to keep a pool in New York at 82F all season long using a gas heater without a pool cover. Absolutely. Others come with mounting hardware to install permanently in one location. If using a solar cover, its recommended that you periodically remove the cover during the daytime. Some rings and squares have loops on the outer portion so you can hang them up while you swim. Manufacturers of solar rings and solar covers often market their warranties with 5 or more years dont get your hopes up though! Fortunately, they are more durable than bubble-wrap! They can be trimmed in order to meet custom pool layouts. And even a lightweight cover can last if you take care of it properly. Solar rings generally can provide up to 50% reduction in evaporation, but will vary based on how much of the pools surface is covered by them often 75% coverage is recommended. "width": "611", "@type": "ImageObject", To. (Actually, youll find a leaf blower can come in handy for a lot of pool-related cleaning tasks.). And finally, if taking a full solar cover on and offer your large pool is too much of a pain (and you refuse to get a solar reel), then you can use solar rings. There will be gaps, even when theyre connected by their magnets. "image": { Cutting the cover and using multiple reels may be necessary. This means that evaporation could be responsible for upwards of $280 in chemical costs for the average pool owner. Yes, liquid solar covers actually work and quite well. Which is best?
Solar rings can help reduce the amount of makeup water by about 25% compared to not using any rings. And if you couple a gas or electric pool heater with a solar blanket, the heater wont need to run as long to keep your pool temperature steady.
Properly fit solar covers wont be affected much by the wind, as the covers wont have much room to drift around in the pool. When theyre on the water, if a child or pet (or anyone) happens to fall into the water, solar rings will break apart on impact, and will not form a solid barrier that can make it difficult to come to the surface. We cut out all the confusion of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read illustrated ebook and video course. Thats it. Now solar covers come in Clear and Black colors, and in 8 mil, 12 mil or 16 mil thickness. Solar rings can reduce heating costs by about 35%.
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