Recommendation on a good solar cover/blanket to get pool warm fast.

[asiaz]

Hello! Very nice and helpful forum here!

After a google search on fastest/best way to warm a pool, I discovered solar cover/blankets. We had solar panels but disconnected it due to leaks and it just not working very well.

Is there a solar blanket/cover that you use and recommend?

If my pool is 16x32, what size would I get? The exact size or something a little bigger? I also want to get the stand that goes with it that makes cover/uncovering easier.

Thank you!

 

[borjis]

a solar bubble cover will aid in retaining existing heat and keep evaporation at a minimum but
it won't do anything close to what your solar panels can do, heating wise.

You should fix them. usually pretty easy to do and we can offer suggestions if you
go into details of whats wrong with your system.

I fixed 1 leaking panel with liquid nails and some cheap nylon bolts.

I recommend buying solar covers on on ebay. They are many times much less
there to move inventory and usually free shipping. My pool is the same size as yours and I never found
one that exact size so get the next size up then trim it to fit.

get an 8 mil size. bigger will make no difference and be much more difficult to wrestle with.

 

[Patrick_B]

Welcome to TFP!

I think the more transparent the better, but where they help most is keeping heat in on windy days and at night. Others will weigh in, but don't spend a lot as expensive ones don't seems to last much longer. Others will weigh in on all of this, but we have some good solar experience people might be able to help you with, so you might ask and see if they can. Several members love their solar heating, and when funds exist for me, I think I'll do it as well.

 

[asiaz]

thanks for the replies! Okay so I searched ebay as suggested and found one for $20! Is that a correct price for something like what I'm looking for?

Also - recommendations on reels?

link to item (solar cover): 16 Rectangle In Ground Swimming Pool Solar Heater Blanket Cover 16 Mil

Description:

16'X32' FT Rectangular Solar Blanket Cover - 16 Mil Thickness


Save On Pool Supplies Ultra Clear 16 mil solar blanket is one of the highest quality solar blankets available today. Technologically advanced, our Ultra-Clear solar blankets feature a unique hexagon air pocket design which minimizes the space between each air pocket in order to maximize heat transference and insulation.

Key features of the 16 Mil Solar Blanket include:

16 mil thickness
Aluminized (silver color) bottom layer and clear top layer maximize the sun's warming rays while reflecting absorbed heat back into the pool
Unique hexagon air pocket design
Exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear
Significantly reduces loss of expensive chemicals through evaporation
Blanket should be placed bubble-side down on pool surface
Please note: 16 Mil solar blankets are significantly heavier than traditional blue blankets, we suggest they only be used with commercial strength reels if using a reel system to take the blanket on/off the pool.
S2320

 

[asiaz]

a solar bubble cover will aid in retaining existing heat and keep evaporation at a minimum but
it won't do anything close to what your solar panels can do, heating wise.

You should fix them. usually pretty easy to do and we can offer suggestions if you
go into details of whats wrong with your system.

I fixed 1 leaking panel with liquid nails and some cheap nylon bolts.

I recommend buying solar covers on on ebay. They are many times much less
there to move inventory and usually free shipping. My pool is the same size as yours and I never found
one that exact size so get the next size up then trim it to fit.

get an 8 mil size. bigger will make no difference and be much more difficult to wrestle with.

the more I'm looking for a solar blanket, my existing solar panels are starting to look more attractive, lol. Sadly, pool companies in NJ are not that great when it comes to customer service or availability. Not sure why this is tbh!

We unhooked the solar panel pipes because there was a leak somewhere which made us lose so much water (1-2 inches overnight). But the panels are already on the roof and I just hate seeing it go to waste especially when I'm seeing so many DIY cheap solar panel alternatives to heating the pool.

So what do you think? Forgo the solar cover/blanket idea and try to get a repair person out here instead?

thanks!

 

[jblizzle]

The cover helps a lot for retaining the heat, but the panels will add heat. In your environment, I would think you might want both.

 

[asiaz]

The cover helps a lot for retaining the heat, but the panels will add heat. In your environment, I would think you might want both.

Do you know if I should call a pool company or a plumber to fix the solar panel problem since it was disconnected due to us losing so much water? Thanks!

 

[mas985]

We unhooked the solar panel pipes because there was a leak somewhere which made us lose so much water (1-2 inches overnight).

Overnight? Most solar panels are designed to drain when the pump is off. So were you running the pump over night and did you actually see water coming out of the panels.

Also, you may regret getting a 16 mil cover because of the weight. Plus they don't really last longer. I have had 5 mil, 8 mil, and 12 mil and they all lasted about 2 years.

 

[Rossterman]

If you determine that the panels are actually leaking, share info (pics help too) on who made the panels and where the leaks are located. Some panels, as others said above, are very easy to plug using a low cost on amazon (fafco and similar designs).

 

[asiaz]

If you determine that the panels are actually leaking, share info (pics help too) on who made the panels and where the leaks are located. Some panels, as others said above, are very easy to plug using a low cost on amazon (fafco and similar designs).

hi. Thanks for the reply. I took some pics as suggested. I don't know where the leak is. My guess is its somewhere in the pipe from panel to pump because the pool company fixed the leak by disconnecting that pipe & connecting a pipe directly to filter bypassing solar completely last year. It was causing us to lose 1 inch of water overnight when connected.

The water is freezing right now. My 8 yr old son doesn't mind but I sure do! He swims every day but I just can't get in that coldness yet. Lol.

So should I call a plumber or pool company? Or is this something we can attempt on our own? Thanks.

 

[Fingaling]

Well. Your first step is to find the leak. If you're losing an inch overnight, you shoukd be able to see water coming out somewhere or a wet spot or something.. If it's in the pipe going to the panels, that's an easy fix... The panels are a little tougher but still can be fairly simple.