Solar Swimming Pool Covers Explained

Do they really work?

A solar pool cover traps heat from the sun and transmits that heat to the pool. A solar pool cover may also be called a solar blanket. A solar pool cover traps that heat in the pool and keeps it from escaping into the air.

A solar pool cover floats freely on top of a pool. There are no anchors or tie-downs. This makes the solar pool cover very easy to remove. A solar pool cover reel may also be used, and this will help roll up your solar pool cover easily and makes for great, clean storage. A solar pool cover can also be pulled out and folded up, but this can be a messier task. See more for our post on solar pool cover reels, because these are usually the best bet for storage.

A solar pool cover is ideal to use in a sunny climate because the more heat they can gather, the longer the swim season. Note I did not say the climate needs to be warm all the time, but the blanket does need to have access to the sun.

It is important to note that a pool cover is in no way a safety cover. You should remove it completely before anyone enters the pool. They are not designed for cleanliness, but they really can keep a lot of debris out of the pool.

Solar pool covers can be many different shapes. They can be round, square, oval, or even a custom design. They work just as well for in-ground or above-ground pools. A solar pool cover can keep your pool 10-15 degrees warmer and are so much cheaper than a pool heater, which can cost hundreds of dollars a month, especially if you have a larger pool.