28' Solar cover for 33' pool???????

QuiltinMom · May 14, 2013

I just found a 28' solar cover, brand new, listed on Craigslist for $50.00. The box in the photo shows it is a "Solar-Cell Sunblanket".

My question is.....our AGP is 33' and this is for a 28' pool. Will it be effective or does the whole pool have to be covered for it to be able to hold the heat in?

Is anyone familiar with this brand? Good or not? It looks blue in color, not clear.

Does a solar cover go bad just sitting on a shelf? The ad says it was a back up and has not been used. (however, this is Craigslist)

What do you think?

woodyp · May 14, 2013

I'd think 85% of surface area coverage would be fine. Cover should be fine if unused. They break down due to sun and chemicals and handling. For 50 bucks, I'd try it.

frustratedpoolmom · May 14, 2013

I'm going to disagree - sorry Woody... solar "blankets" work best at holding heat IN. The heat gained during the heating of the day. With that big of a gap around the perimeter - I don't see how it would work as well... jMHO

jblizzle · May 14, 2013

True the main advantage of a cover is reduced heat loss due to evaporation. So saving 85% of the heat is better than nothing. But I do not know how much a correct size cover would cost.

Posted from my Droid with Tapatalk ... sorry if my response is short

QuiltinMom · May 15, 2013

jblizzle said:
True the main advantage of a cover is reduced heat loss due to evaporation. So saving 85% of the heat is better than nothing. But I do not know how much a correct size cover would cost.

Posted from my Droid with Tapatalk ... sorry if my response is short

The 33' round solar covers that I have found are usually over $200 and closer to $240ish. So this would be a huge savings, however, if it will not be effective, then maybe not worth the bargain.

Any other input?

THANKS for the help!!

Pauls234 · May 15, 2013

It definitely won't work as well as a 33', but if the choice is between a 28' and nothing, I would go with the 28' for $50. Otherwise, I'd put that $50 towards the 33' if you are inclined to get one at some point anyway. It is a good deal relative to a 33', 25% of the price with 85% of the coverage.

JohnT · May 15, 2013

Pauls234 said:
It definitely won't work as well as a 33', but if the choice is between a 28' and nothing, I would go with the 28' for $50. Otherwise, I'd put that $50 towards the 33' if you are inclined to get one at some point anyway. It is a good deal relative to a 33', 25% of the price with 85% of the coverage.

A 28' cover will only cover about 72% of a 33' pool. You can't just compare the diameter because surface area increases with the square of the radius. 28/33 is 85%, but 28²/33² is only about 72%.

msgtdan · May 15, 2013

I just cut down a 20' x 40' solar cover to fit on my 27' round abg pool that I got off craigslist for $40. It seems to help with the temp, definitely helps keep it cleaner and cuts down a little on chlorine consumption. The upper surface is filthy with pollen and road dust in just a week of use.

Speedo · May 15, 2013

solarcovers.com has an 8mil blue 33' for $143.99.

Supreme 12mil blue is $173.99.

$200+ would be for the clear/black/"space age" @ 12-16mil