Do you own a solar pool cover but not sure how to use it properly? In this article, we’ll review if your solar pool cover bubbles should face up or down (and why).
Solar pool covers help conserve energy and keep debris from entering your pool. At the same time, they can trap heat and prevent water evaporation. Solar pool covers ultimately help extend the swimming season.
However, you cannot enjoy these benefits if you do not properly install the cover. Ensure that the pool cover bubbles are facing in the right direction. These bubbles are responsible for warming your pool.
So, should solar pool cover bubbles face up or down? Short answer: the solar pool cover bubbles are facing down.
Below, I will explain the proper way of using your solar cover and also why it works the way that it does. I will also answer your frequently asked questions about solar pool covers in general.
What Is a Solar Pool Cover?
Before I discuss which way should solar cover bubbles be, I would first like to talk about the definition of solar pool covers.
A solar pool cover, also known as a solar blanket, contains solid layers of UV-resistant plastic. It has one smooth side and an opposite side with tiny bubbles, similar to bubble wrap.
Solar pool covers work similarly as traditional pool covers. They can prevent dust and debris from entering the pool water. They can also help increase the pool’s temperature by trapping the sun’s energy and minimizing evaporation.
Although they are not as effective in heating as gas or electric pool heaters, solar covers are still worth considering for their inexpensive cost. They might be more than enough to keep your pool comfortable enough for swimming, especially if you live in an area with a mild climate.
Overall, a solar blanket can effectively keep your pool warm and clean for off-season swimming.
Should I Place the Solar Pool Cover Bubbles Up or Down?
Installing a solar pool cover is not all that different from using other traditional pool covers. You must ensure it lies flat and secure on the pool without gaps. However, you might also want to consider the placement of the solar pool cover bubbles. As previously mentioned, you will notice one flat side and another side with small bubbles.
It might not seem like a big deal, but the orientation of these bubbles can significantly affect the effectiveness of your solar cover. So make sure you install the cover in the right direction.
Ensure the solar pool cover bubbles are facing down. Doing so allow the bubbles to absorb and retain heat from the sun. It ultimately makes it easier for the solar blanket to keep the pool water warm.
Why Should I Place the Solar Cover With the Bubbles Down?
You must place the solar cover bubbles facing down to ensure effectiveness. As indicated before, installing them in the wrong direction lets you lose half of the solar cover benefits.
Having the solar pool cover bubbles down can effectively trap heat from the sun’s energy. Then, they help transfer this warmth to the pool water, ultimately increasing its temperature. They can efficiently heat up your pool during sunny weather and maintain heat on chillier days.
You can also prevent water loss from evaporation when you install the solar pool cover properly. Thus, you can reduce water bills and save money in the long run.
Furthermore, you must ensure the bubbles are down to prevent overheating due to the sun. If you let them exposed to UV rays, you can expect them to flake or pop, rendering them useless.
Finally, pointing the bubbles toward the pool water allows you to enjoy full warranty coverage of the cover. You can use them for several years to come. Most solar cover manufacturers will void the product warranty if you do not follow their installation instructions.
What Happens If the Solar Cover Bubbles Are Up?
By now, you know the importance of having the solar pool cover bubbles down. However, you might also be wondering about the effects of the bubbles facing up. Below are the things that can happen if your solar cover is not properly installed.
First, the pool cover will take a long time to heat the water if the bubbles are facing up. It can prevent you from enjoying a comfortable swimming experience. Ensure that these air pockets are always positioned downward to push and trap heat under the pool.
Another negative effect of having the solar pool cover bubble up is a damaged surface. The opposite side of the bubbles—the flat side—can quickly deteriorate if it gets exposed to chlorinated water. Thus, it no longer works effectively to protect your pool.
Lastly, expect debris to enter the swimming pool if the bubbles are facing up. The flat side of the cover does not properly seal the water. It also tends to slide around. So when it moves, any dirt, dust, or standing rainwater on top of the cover can end up in the pool.
Fortunately, it is easy to flip the solar cover if you have it facing the wrong direction the whole time.
Do Solar Pool Blankets Prevent Heat Loss?
A solar pool blanket not only traps heat but also helps prevent heat loss. It can keep evaporation from happening through day and night. Hence, it can give you considerable savings in heater costs since you will not need them constantly. It ultimately helps extend the swimming season.
Besides preventing heat loss, a solar pool cover can also minimize water loss. If you are not yet aware, evaporation can cause water levels to drop. It can lead to an average water decline of two inches. Fortunately, a solar pool blanket reduces the chances of evaporation to help you conserve water. At the same time, it lowers your water bills.
Finally, solar pool blankets can effectively reduce chemical use. That is because less water evaporation means fewer chemicals can escape the water. Thus, it prevents you from adding too many substances in the pool.
What Solar Pool Cover Color Is the Best?
A solar pool cover comes in different colors. It is essential to choose the right hue for your needs because it affects how much heat the cover retains.
Darker pool covers, such as black or dark blue, can keep heat inside the pool. These are ideal if you are using a pool heater and want to maintain a comfortable water temperature.
White or transparent solar covers are also available for pool owners. They allow heat from the sun to enter the swimming pool, making them suitable for sunny climates. However, they are not effective in retaining heat. They can also increase the chances of evaporation, which lead to water and pool chemical loss.
What Is the Best Pool Cover Thickness?
Besides colors, solar covers also vary in thickness depending on the manufacturer and the purpose. This density is expressed in mil. A single mil is equivalent to 0.001 inch.
Most solar pool covers have a thickness between eight mils to 16 mils, with the former being the thinnest.
As a rule of thumb, the thicker the solar pool cover is, the more heat it can absorb and retain. However, thick covers are also notorious for being heavy and difficult to handle.
For this reason, 12-mil solar pool covers are the most popular thickness. These offer decent heat retention and protection against outdoor elements. But at the same time, they are easy to take on and off the swimming pool.
Can I Swim With A Solar Pool Cover On?
After considering all the benefits of a solar pool cover in mind, you might be wondering whether you can swim with this cover or not.
However, you must avoid swimming with the pool cover on. You will not have enough space to swim around because the cover surrounds the entire pool surface area.
You might also not be able to breathe properly since there is no way for the air to get under the pool blanket. Thus, swimming with the cover on gets you in a very dangerous situation.
Finally, do not use a solar pool cover to keep your children or pets safe and away from the water. You cannot rely on this tarp to hold considerable weight. Instead, invest in a safety pool cover to prevent them from accidentally falling into the pool.
How To Store Solar Pool Cover?
A solar pool cover has an average lifespan of three years. However, it can last longer if you properly maintain and store it when not in use.
Start by removing the solar blanket from your swimming pool. Pick up one end of the pool cover. Then, ask for help from another person to raise the opposite side of the cover.
Fold the solar pool cover over itself by three to four-foot sections. Continue turning the blanket over until you get hold of its opposite end.
Next, bring the folded solar cover to the pool deck. Hose it down with water to remove any dirt or dust collecting on the surface. You can also use a brush to scrub away any stubborn debris.
Then, allow the solar pool blanket to dry. Ensure it is away from the grass because it might catch fire and damage your cover.
Once the top of the cover is clean and dry, you can proceed to store it. It is best to choose a sheltered area away from the sun. You must also look for a well-ventilated room to avoid molds growing on the cover.
Lastly, do not forget to use a protective sheet over the cover to keep it away from dust.
How Do You Maintain Solar Pool Cover Bubbles?
Solar pool covers cannot work as efficiently without their bubbles. It is best to take care of these air pockets together with the blanket surface.
One way to do this is by keeping your pool chemicals balanced. Putting too much chlorine not only upsets the water chemistry but also causes corrosion to the pool cover bubbles. Use the right amount of chemicals to prevent the cover from breaking apart.
You must also clean your swimming pool cover regularly. Remove any dust, debris, and standing rainwater on top of the cover. Consider using a pool cover pump to make this task easier. It is also best to ensure that no sharp objects remain on the blanket surface. These can potentially burst the bubbles and cause tears that ruin the cover.
Furthermore, get rid of algae as soon as you notice them forming on top of the cover. If you leave them alone, you can expect these algae to spread and lead to flaking. Once they start to bloom, it is difficult to stop them. You will end up replacing your pool cover, even if it is still relatively new.
Finally, consider installing an automatic cover reel. This item prevents the blanket from creasing and wrinkling, which causes tears on the surface. It also makes it easier to take the cover and off for quick operation.
Overall, it is essential to maintain your solar pool cover bubbles if you want to reap their benefits.
Can You Use The Solar Pool Cover During the Winter?
As you probably know by now, solar pool covers can effectively trap heat from the sun and keep your pool warm. So, you might ask yourself if you can use these solar blankets during the winter.
The answer is no. It is true that solar covers can retain your pool’s water temperature and prevent evaporation to some degree. However, they are not as effective in cold weather. The lower outdoor temperature and night air cools, eventually causing heat to dissipate.
Solar pool covers are also not designed to withstand freezing temperatures and snow build-up on the surface. So if you use them during the winter, they might end up getting damaged permanently.
Pool owners who want to protect their pools in the cold season can use winter covers. These solid tarps can keep snow and ice from the water. At the same time, they prevent damage to your pool equipment, such as pumps and heaters.
Conclusion
Solar pool covers heat swimming pools and keep debris out. They also prevent evaporation and chemical loss, making them a popular choice in the summer. However, they can be confusing to use, especially for the new pool owner, due to their two different sides—one flat and one with bubbles.
The solar pool cover bubbles must face down towards the pool to ensure effectiveness. This direction allows the cover to trap heat successfully and minimize damage. Having the bubbles down also prevents you from voiding the product warranty.
Did this article answer your questions about solar pool covers? Let us know!
