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The Daily Insight

How much is a pool blanket

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Apr 11, 2026

Solar pool blankets cost from $150 to $700 for a domestic or residential swimming pool.

Are pool blankets worth it?

Besides offering energy savings, pool covers also do the following: Conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%–50% Reduce the pool’s chemical consumption by 35%–60% Reduce cleaning time by keeping dirt and other debris out of the pool.

What is the average cost of a pool cover?

National Average$1,485Typical Range$644 – $2,344Low End – High End$100 – $3,800

How much are solar blankets for pools?

How much do solar pool covers cost? The price range of most solar covers is $75–$225. As you can imagine, this price varies based on the quality of the cover and the size of the pool. The main expense when buying a solar cover though is the reel, which in most cases will be in the $200–$500 range.

When should I take off my pool cover?

Try to remove as much debris as possible because the more that is on the winter cover when you remove the cover the more chance of debris getting into your pool when you remove the winter cover. Once you have removed the debris it is time to take the winter cover off.

Does a pool get warmer with the cover on or off?

Insulating the Pool Water from Heat Loss Air bubbles in the pool cover act as an insulator in a similar way that your thermos would keep water warm. A pool cover will, therefore, keep your pool water warmer for longer.

Should I cover my pool every night?

Covering a heated swimming pool at night will reduce heat loss. … For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop.

How many degrees will a solar cover heat a pool?

Heat Retention Solar covers work to raise the temperature by the pool up to 12 degrees because the tiny air pockets capture heat from the sun and transfer it to the pool water while also acting as insulators to prevent heat from escaping off of the surface of the water.

Does a pool cover cause algae?

Cover Your Pool Not only is a pool cover a barrier to algae entering the pool, it’s also a barrier to leaves, bugs, bacteria, and dirt from entering the pool, decomposing, and providing the nourishment that helps algae to thrive.

How long do solar pool covers last?

Over time, your solar cover will slowly deteriorate. You will need to replace your solar cover when it begins to flake and when bubbles begin to fall off of it. Most solar covers last for up to three years, though many people replace them more frequently.

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How long does it take to heat a pool with a solar blanket?

Solar Blankets will add heat to the pool to a greater or lesser degree, depending on 1) amount of surface coverage and 2) amount of direct daily sunshine. For a pool that is completely covered by a solar blanket, and one that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight on the pool, a 10-15 degree F gain is not unusual.

Is a mesh or solid pool cover better?

A mesh cover will screen out leaves and other debris, but the reality is that sediment, water washed over dirty leaves, and some UV light gets into your pool. … A solid safety cover, on the other hand, keeps your pool water clear by blocking out all precipitation and dirt.

Should a pool cover touch the water?

The cover is designed to touch the surface of the water. So your pool should always be filled when covered, and the water level should never go below 18 inches from the top of the pool. Check the water level of the pool and fill it up if it goes below 18 inches.

What are the different types of pool covers?

There are three basic types of pool covers: mesh, solid and automatic. Mesh covers allow sunlight and water to filter through, while solid covers completely block sunlight, water and debris from entering the pool. And an automatic swimming pool cover is just what it sounds like — automatic.

Which side of a pool solar cover goes up?

Useful Tips for your Solar Blanket Pool Cover The flat side goes up. This allows for fallen debris and dirt to be easily removed when needed and to not catch in between the bubbles. Running the pump and filter system while the cover is on the water is absolutely safe. DO NOT leave the cover on grass or other plants.

Do bubbles go up or down on solar pool cover?

These covers generally work in the way the sun rays heating the air trapped within the bubbles. The heat, therefore, is then transferred into the pool water. Thus, this is precisely why the bubbles in the solar pool covers should always face down towards the pool water instead of facing up towards the sky.

Can I leave pool uncovered in winter?

No, but winter covers protect your pool from stains, algae growth and poor water balance that could damage pool surfaces. … However, if you want to close the pool, but keep it uncovered all winter, or if you need to delay purchasing a new cover until next fall – here are the steps we took to do it for our customer above.

Can you fill pool with cover on?

On the surface filling up your pool after winter and getting ready to open does not seem like a tough thing, and it’s not, but you do need to keep a couple things in mind. … If you have a solid auto cover with a cover pump – your pool should have been left at operating level and likely will not need filled back up.

Does a pool cover prevent algae?

Cover Up. Since most algae spores get into the pool from rain, wind, and dirt, one of the best ways to prevent algae growth in your pool is to cover it as often as possible. This helps keep algae spores out as well as bacteria and other nourishment that algae thrives on.

What does rain water do to a pool?

Rainfall dilutes pool chemistry levels and lowers the readings for pH, alkalinity, hardness, stabilizer, and chlorine. Rainfall does not contain chlorine. As well, rainfall brings with it small amounts of contaminants that are washed into the pool.

Can I cover my pool with a tarp?

CCS polypropylene mesh tarps are the best tarp for pool covers. They do an exceptional job blocking sunlight, which is essential for preventing algae growth when chemicals are not being added regularly. Polypropylene tarps are strong, too, so they can withstand the weight of ice and snow that builds up over the winter.

Should pool be covered in rain?

Leave Your Pool Open When preparing your pool for a storm, leave it uncovered. Installing any kind of cover across the pool will not do much to protect against dust and contaminants because storms often bring strong winds and heavy rain that can cause the cover to lift off your pool.

Should you leave solar blanket on pool?

When do I use my solar blanket? You can leave your pool cover on any time you’re not swimming. In fact, it’s recommended. During daylight hours, the more you keep the pool cover on, the more efficiently it will heat your pool.

How long does pool water take to warm up?

It normally takes from 8 to 12 hours to cycle all of the water in your pool so you can expect an overall temperature rise of 5 to 15 degree F after several days of sunny weather.

Is it OK to cover pool after shocking?

Never close the cover immediately after shocking the pool. It is recommended to wait several hours before closing the cover. Use a test kit to regularly test the pool water. … Chemical imbalance can be harmful to people as well as pool components and needs to be checked regularly.

Can you cut swimming pool cover?

When your cover has settled it is ready to cut. Use a pair of sharp household scissors, best used for this job. The solar blanket should be cut 3 to 5 cm over the edge of your pool and up the tiles, take care that it remains below the rim of the pool.

How long should your pool pump run each day?

Overall, the lessons learned today is you should run your pool pump an average 8 hours a day to properly circulate and clean your water. The pump should push your entire pool in gallons in this 8 hour period of time. Residential pool water only needs to be turned over once daily to have proper filtration.

Should you take solar blanket off during day?

For this reason solar covers (unlike solar rings) will actually block sunlight and keep heat out of the pool during the day – not magnifying the sun like many people will assume. So for these reasons a solar cover should be put on in the evening and removed in the morning, for maximum benefit.

Will garbage bags heat pool?

You know those black trash bags? They can hold heat too. Fix one up to a hula hoop and if you want, cut one side of a pool noodle to add buoyancy and you’ve got yourself a super cheap pool heater.

Can you use bubble wrap as a solar pool cover?

Yes but the life span of bubble wrap is short lived because of deterioration cause by the sun and pool chemicals. A commercial pool blanket cover is basically industrial strength bubble wrap. It will not only heat the pool from the suns rays but will also serve as an insulator at night.

How thick should my solar pool cover be?

What Is The Best Thickness for a Solar Pool Cover? After testing, we found that any solar pool cover between 12-mil and 16-mil performed best for heat retention. Higher mil solar covers absorbed more heat and were found to be more durable against the sun damage, chemical resistance, and ripping.