Using a
pool cover on your swimming pool could be the wind beneath your water wings.
Seattleites, for example, could save between $1,200 and $1,500 annually by
using a pool cover,
according to Department of Energy estimates. (Wet and wild!) Evaporation is responsible for
about 70 percent of pool energy loss, but
a well-fitting pool cover can prevent
evaporation, saving water, energy, and money on water heating. An insulated cover can
particularly make
heated
swimming pools more energy-efficient. Heated or not, a pool cover
will keep out leaves and other debris, reducing the time you have to spend wielding that
long-poled scooper.
A
swimming pool cover can prevent algae and
reduce
needed pool chemicals by 60 percent, according to the DOE, in addition to shrinking
maintenance costs and water evaporation. If you typically use sunlight to partially heat
your pool, a translucent
solar cover can help you maximize solar heat without letting
water escape. Another flavor of pool cover, the
safety cover, is strong enough to
support a small child in case one wanders on (helping minimize the possibility of injury).
1. Go to a swimming pool supply store or shop online to find a pool cover.
2. Read (and follow) the pool cover instructions.
3. Drain your pool until the water is about one foot below the rim surface.
4. Add the appropriate chemicals to the water.
5. Lay the cover across the pool so it's evenly distributed.
6. Secure the pool cover against the sides of the pool using the cover's hardware.
7. Spray about one inch of water on the cover to keep the cover in place.
8. Use water to fill the water bags that are attached to the cover.
Types of swimming pool covers. Pool covers come in a variety of sizes, types, and materials (like vinyl or mesh). Hard top covers are the sturdiest. Pool cover options will vary based on your type of swimming pool. Before buying a pool cover, check the terms of its warranty, and confirm that the cover meets local and state regulations.
Don't leave any room between the edges of the pool and its cover. Be sure to pull the edges of the cover well enough over the edges of the pool so that nothing can get in between the pool and its cover.