solar cover

[greif]

hi

would layering 2 solar covers help keep more heat in?

thanks
gary

 

[Bama Rambler]

Maybe, but it probably wouldn't be worth the cost or extra handling of the second blanket.

 

[JasonLion]

The great majority of the "keeping heat in" comes from stopping evaporation. Any solar cover will do that. There are some small additional gains to be made by increasing the R-value by using something thicker or specially insulated, but the great majority of the savings is from simply having a cover at all.

 

[Candi]

The great majority of the "keeping heat in" comes from stopping evaporation. Any solar cover will do that. There are some small additional gains to be made by increasing the R-value by using something thicker or specially insulated, but the great majority of the savings is from simply having a cover at all.

So would it be reasonable to use a winter cover instead of purchasing an additional solar cover?

 

[JohnT]

The great majority of the "keeping heat in" comes from stopping evaporation. Any solar cover will do that. There are some small additional gains to be made by increasing the R-value by using something thicker or specially insulated, but the great majority of the savings is from simply having a cover at all.

So would it be reasonable to use a winter cover instead of purchasing an additional solar cover?

Probably not. Solar covers are fairly cheap until you get to larger pools. The inconvenience of moving a winter cover, the fact that it lets no sunlight into the water and the shortened life of the winter cover would probably negate any savings. Anchoring a winter cover would be an issue to, since the solar cover is sized to float on the water with no overlap so the wind won't lift it.

 

[Candi]

The great majority of the "keeping heat in" comes from stopping evaporation. Any solar cover will do that. There are some small additional gains to be made by increasing the R-value by using something thicker or specially insulated, but the great majority of the savings is from simply having a cover at all.

So would it be reasonable to use a winter cover instead of purchasing an additional solar cover?

Probably not. Solar covers are fairly cheap until you get to larger pools. The inconvenience of moving a winter cover, the fact that it lets no sunlight into the water and the shortened life of the winter cover would probably negate any savings. Anchoring a winter cover would be an issue to, since the solar cover is sized to float on the water with no overlap so the wind won't lift it.

Ok, makes sense. In that case, would it be OK to use a solar cover that is smaller than your pool size? We are getting a 18x34, but I have found a few good deals on solar covers for 15x30. (or maybe it was a 16x32, not sure)