Solar cover differences

[ramirez41]

I need a solar cover this year. I have always done blue and we have to replace them about every 2-3 years. Is there any noticable difference between the 3 year warranty covers and the 7 year warranty covers? I am looking at the Dohney website if that makes a difference. That was the last place I ordered a solar cover from and lasted the same amount of time as the one I bought from a local pool store.

Note: I will admit we leave ours in the sun when it is off (I have no where wide to leave it), I do have a habit of bringing my chlorine to slam levels with the cover on. I do this when we are going to be leaving for camping and I won't be able to dose the chlorine daily. So I realize I will never get the full life expectancy. We use it to retain heat at nights, bring the temp up in the spring, and to keep the cotton wood out of the pool in the spring.

 

[PoolStored]

UV is the largest contributor to cover damage. (especially without protection when OFF the pool).
UV is the largest contributor to FC loss.
Blue covers block more UV rays than clear covers.
Clear covers are the most effective at heating because they allow nearly all UV rays to pass through, directly warming the pool water...at the cost of increase FC demand.
Evaporation heat loss will be practically the same.
SLAM level FC or below will not damage cover.
2-3 year replacement is typical.
8mil vs. 16 mil doesn't matter for cover damage or heat loss.

Go blue. 8 or 12mil (16 is hard to handle with no benefit)
You will get no warranty benefit. Show me anybody that has made a successful warranty claim with 7 year warranty.

I've accepted 3 year life from a $200 cover (12mil).
YMMV.