What does everyone use to heat their pool?

[cherry]

I have a huge solar cover that i myself cannot move around so im looking for an alternative, some way to heat the water that i myself can handle.

Do those solar pills and such work? Is there anything cheaper?

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

No they don't work. Consider a lighter-weight solar cover, or cutting it into sections. IF you do a google search (bottom left corner) for solar covers, there are many articles that discuss this dilemma.

 

[cherry]

Thank you!

 

[alram97]

We use the solar sun rings. We don't have a deck on yet and it is really hard to move around a 30ft solar cover so we thought we would try them. They aren't as good as a cover itself, but they do heat our pool and I think they also reduce evaporation. The only pain is bugs and Crud get between them and it doesn't skim well. That would be my only complaint.

 

[jjdurrant]

I tried the rings... they suck.. Stick with an actual solor cover

 

[JohnT]

Welcome to TFP.

Give us a little more info about your pool and we can be of more help.

As was suggested above, some covers are lighter than others. You can also use a cover reel. Another option that works better than it sounds is to cut the cover into manageable pieces.

 

[dschlic1]

I use a solar heater mounted on my roof :-D

 

[FlyboyTR]

Using a solar blanket without a roller type system is very difficult (unless it it cut into small pieces as previously suggested). I purchased a roller when I purchased the solar blanket. The roller has the 3.5" tube (don't get one with the 1.5" tube!). It takes about 1 minute to open the pool (ensuring everything is rolling up nice and smooth). Takes about 2 mintues to close. All of this is with one person. With an extra hand, only about 1/2 of the time as listed above. We LOVE our blanket and reel! :-D

Travis

 

[PaulR]

My solar cover is 16' wide and gets most of the pool, then I cut a smaller piece to cover the ell. There's no room for a roller. Getting this on and off by hand is tedious but not painful. When it's time to replace it I'm gonna get it 12' wide so I'll have two more similar-sized sections; the 12' wide strips should be easier to manage by hand.
--paulr

 

[hayfarmer]

i have a heat pump to heat the water, and a solar cover to keep the heat in and it helps heat the water to.. we love our heat pump, very cheap to run....

 

[Durk]

I like my pool 74°-78°. Don't need no stinkin' heater. Don't want one, or the wimmin would make me use it....