Pool covers are now mandatory in many cities around Australia. They provide numerous benefits:
- Reduce of evaporation losses by around 80%
- Increase the temperature of the pool by up to 11 degrees celsius by reducing heat loss overnight
- Extend the number of months per year a pool is typically used through the above temperature increase
- Reduce the power consumed in heated pools via reduced load on the heating systems
- Reduce the use of chemicals via reduced losses
- In salt water pools using a chlorinator – the total number of hours the filter pump must be run per day can be reduced as a result of reduced chlorine losses and hence demand, thus reducing electricity usage from the filter pump.
- Reduce the cleaning load. Leaves and debris that would otherwise land in the pool now land on a mostly dry surface and are subsequently blown off by the wind. This means a cleaner pool and less time spent cleaning.
- Organic matter (leaves, grass cuttings, sticks etc) that enter the pool increase the load on systems required to maintain desired water balance. Reducing the ingress reduces the level of chemicals required to maintain the balance.
Factors to consider when purchasing a cover:
- Covers deteriorate over time due to constant UV exposure. The maximum rated lifespan is around 10 years. Longer lifespans come at a higher cost but reduce the frequency of replacement.
- Once a cover is removed from a pool it must be covered itself. Pool cover rollers offer a convenient way of getting the cover on/off the pool and ensuring it is subsequently covered and sheltered from the sun.
References:
