Does a solar cover keep pool warm or make pool warm?

Answer 1

No not really but the more you cover the more heating there will be. The cover is designed to heat the water under the cover so its effect will be diminished by the lack of total pool coverage. You will notice some warming just the same.

You should try to cover your entire pool, but if there's a gap here and there it won't matter. A good Solar cover raises your pool temp. about 10-15 degrees.

After use, allow it dry and roll it up nicely.

Answer 2

Like any body of water, Swimming Pools tend to gain heat energy from the sun during the day and cool off at night. Pools lose heat at night due to energy that radiates out and also because of water that evaporates off its surface. Solar pool covers are designed to not only excel in preventing heat from escaping, but also to trap the sun's energy and actively heat the pool. Solar covers have small air pockets to trap the sun's heat, and consequently somewhat resemble large sheets of bubble-wrap. Source: http://swimming-pool-designs.com/solar-pool-covers/

Answer 3

Yes they work, and surprisingly well. As a personal example I needed to put a new chlorine tablet in my filter every couple days, once I put on the cover it's rare if I even need one once a week to maintain my chlorine levels now. The pool was much warmer as well.

The theory behind pool covers is based on raising the pool water temperature by absorbing sunlight during the day - and then retaining that heat at night, plus preserving the heat generated by a solar Pool Heating system, heat pump, or gas heater.

It also serves the following functions:

Cover floats flat on pool surface keeping water free of debris

Can increase waters up to 10 degrees F

Reduces overall pool water evaporation as much as 95 percent

Greatly reduces heat loss due to rapid night time evaporation

retains heat during cool nights and on cloudy days

Reduces cleaning time and deterioration of water quality

Saves up to 40 percent on chemicals by preventing off-gassing

All the above is good information.

One thing to remember ( or maybe more than 1)

The Solar Cover Bubbles act as an Insulator ( 2 Keep in heat); and as a Magnifier (thousands of them) to generate heat. Accordingly, it is unwise to leave the cover folded up or rolled up in direct sunlight. I have seen covers that have basically melted themselves into a blob of sticky plastic after being left balled up in the sun for 2 days

Also,

When removing the cover, (if you don't have a Roller), is best done with two people. Remember to pull it taut ( at 45* against the other person, then "fan-fold" it at the deep end of the pool. It can then easily be replaced over the pool by one person slowly dragging one corner while the cover floats and unfolds onto the pool.

All good advice.

The best installation / use of a Solar Cover I've ever seen was a pool that in addition to a Main Drain also had a Main Drain fitting plumbed as a return line.

When it was sunny and the pool was not in use, the owner adjusted the valves at the equipment area, so that the pool received warm water from directly under the Solar Cover ( Skimmer lines only open), and then returned this water to the Floor Return Line (Wall Returns closed).

The net effect was to create a Thermal current from the bottom of the pool, constantly allowing cooler water to be heated.

It added 5 to 8 degrees over just using the Solar Cover with no "creative" Plumbing. A Brilliant Install.

Answer 4

Yes, the solar cover helps to prevent evaporation, (water turning to water vapor and leaving the pool). Evaporation is also one of the major causes of heat loss to a pool.