When to Use a Solar Pool Blanket

A solar pool blanket looks like a big sheet of bubble wrap, but it is actually an inexpensive pool cover. During the day, the bubbles in the blanket gather heat from the sun and use it to warm the pool water. At night, the blanket acts as a barrier to keep the heat in the water from escaping into the cooler air.

  1. Effiency

    • The warmer and sunnier your climate, the better the solar blanket will work. Solar covers can raise pool water temperatures by as much as 10 or 15 degrees. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes that work well with all types of pools.

    Ease of Use

    • Using a solar blanket is simple. When the pool is not in use, spread the blanket out over the water. It floats on the surface without being tied down or anchored. When you are ready to swim, pull off the cover. The blanket can become weighed down with water, so you might want to put it on a reel to help quickly remove it from the pool.

    Longer Swimming Season

    • To extend your swimming season, make sure the solar cover is on the pool whenever it is not in use. During the day, the cover will warm the water; at night it will keep the water from cooling. Even with a heated pool, the solar blanket will lower your electricity costs by naturally keeping the water warmer. The dew point and your pool's temperature can act as a guide for using the cover. If the dew point is higher than the pool temperature, don't use the cover. If the pool temperature is the higher number, use the cover.