For a solar pool cover that is effective, easy to maneuver, and will minimize UV rays entering your pool water, consider the Robelle Heavy-Duty Blue Solar Pool Cover. The light blue color of this cover allows solar energy to heat your pool water without excessive degradation of your pool chemicals from strong UV exposure. We love that it's available in various sizes and shapes to fit round, rectangular, and oval pools and has a three-year warranty policy.

Decent quality solar pool covers are built of either polyethylene resins or PVC vinyl. Polyethylene is a flexible yet fairly durable material, while vinyl is a bit more rigid but very durable. When a pool cover is made, UV protection is chemically added to the material to prolong its lifespan. This protection only lasts so long though. UV rays from the sun are very effective at breaking down the bonds that hold the cover together at the molecular level. Nature is quite powerful in this regard. When shopping for a solar pool cover, make sure you have accurate dimensions for your pool available. “You should measure the longest and widest points of your pool to ensure that the solar pool cover completely covers your pool area,” says Meece, adding, “If the cover does not completely enclose the water surface, heat will escape.” Blue - Standard (budget cover) for retaining a small amount of heat and solar gain, mainly preventing debris. The Coverfree Liquid Solar Blanket comes in a 32-ounce bottle, and to use it effectively, you will need four ounces of the solution for every 20,000 gallons of pool water. For best results, we recommend using it on a weekly basis by adding it to the skimmer while your pool pump is running.Once the UV protection’s useful life has passed, it is just a matter of time before the material starts to become rigid. At this point, it becomes vulnerable to damage by wind, rain and falling debris. A solar disc can provide the same benefits as a solar blanket with much less bulk. Instead of covering the entire pool, the discs float on the pool’s surface and have a bubble lining to raise the water’s temperature. Although effective for warming up smaller pools, a larger pool will require more discs to warm up. Blue solar pool cover – A brilliant budget cover, perfect for above-ground swimming pools or outdoor pools without swimming pool rollers. If your pool is used often, or every day, you’ll want a cover that is flexible and easy to remove and reinstall (and if not, it’s a good idea to identify a pool installation company who can also help with pool covers). Polyethylene provides this flexibility but sacrifices some durability. Which means it will have to be replaced more often than vinyl. The more durable product is vinyl, which will last longer out in the elements, but takes a bit more effort to put on and take off. It’s great for use on pools that are only used a few times a month. Pool Base Material Polyethylene solar pool covers, like our best overall are “lightweight and flexible and are effective at transferring heat,” says Meece. He cautions that despite these benefits, they are less durable and may require more frequent replacement than a vinyl solar pool cover.

Air bubbles are frequently found on solar pool covers. The “purpose of air bubbles is to trap heat while simultaneously insulating the heat at night when the sun goes down,” says Meece. There are some things you can do to slow the rate of deterioration and prolong the lifespan of your solar cover. They don’t stop the breakdown from happening, but can delay the process. Light blue or deep blue is definitively the “it” color for a pool liner. Not only does it make your pool more picturesque, but a blue color also absorbs sunlight to help make the pool feel a little warmer. Air BubblesJimmie Meece, Brand President of America’s Swimming Pool Company. He provided insight on the most common materials for solar pool covers and how to size a pool cover appropriately for maximum effectiveness. In the UK climate, using of a swimming pool solar cover is essential for retaining any heat absorbed in the water from sunlight during the days. Combined with good weather, after a few days the solar cover will make all the difference to the ambient temperature of your water. Solar covers are incredibly efficient at helping heat up your pool while retaining this heat and ensuring you don't have to rely as much on more expensive or less efficient pool heaters. When not in use, keep the cover out of the sun by placing it in a shelter or covering it with a protective cover. If you don’t want to deal with putting and removing a big solar pool cover at all times, solar pool discs are an alternative that can also help you reduce evaporation and increase the temperature of your pool water. These inflatable solar pool covers from Solar Sun Rings feature a UV-resistant center that collects the sun's energy and heats the water underneath. While it may not cover as much surface area as a conventional solar pool cover (one five-foot ring is recommended per 50 square feet of water), it can still be an attractive option for small pools. If you plan on using solar discs in a larger pool, consider getting at least two or three sets.

This solar pool cover measures 7 feet by 7 feet but can be trimmed to fit the size and shape of your hot tub. This may pose some challenges if your hot tub is circular in shape, as it may be harder to trim the cover to fit the round dimensions of your hot tub. Like solar covers for regular pools, this one also comes in a light blue color that minimizes the effect of UV rays on water chemistry, while the round bubbles allow for heat transfer to the water underneath. Keep in mind that this isn’t a replacement for a hot tub safety cover. Instead, it’s designed to be used on in-ground spas and hot tubs where you’re looking to minimize evaporation (up to 95 percent) and maximize heat retention. This round solar pool cover includes grommets that allow water to pass through the cover in several locations. While the cover doesn’t arrive with grommets attached, they are self-punching and relatively easy to install after you receive the pool cover. You don’t have to attach the grommets, but doing so makes it easier to drain water from the top of the cover when you’re pulling the cover out of the pool. The grommets allow a small amount of water to seep on top of the cover, which can keep your pool cover in place under light wind. That may be especially helpful for above-ground round pools, where the cover can blow off the pool and into your yard. Sol+Guard GeoBubble solar pool cover – The translucent solar cover allows UV rays to pass, heating the water. This makes it the ideal option if your goal is heating water up rather than simply retaining warmth. Google: Google's policy requires identification of each party that receives end users’ personal data as a consequence of using a Google product. Google also requires prominent and easily accessible information about the use of end users’ personal data. We have published information about Google’s uses of information on this link When you combine solar covers with swimming pool solar heating, you’ll have a wonderfully eco-friendly and efficient heating system on your hands!In a pool, chlorine is combined with other chemicals to give it some protection from UV rays, but it’s not a perfect system. Even with chemical protection, chlorine remains somewhat vulnerable. Solar pool covers provide another layer of protection against the loss of chlorine, meaning you’ll have to replace it less often. Cleanliness Air bubbles in your pool liner can signify rising groundwater that seeps under the vinyl that pushes up the liner to cause air bubbles. Other causes could be an improper installation of the liner, damage from vacuuming the liner, or any other reason that would cause the liner to shift. UV Resistance