Clear vs. Blue Solar Pool Covers: What is the Difference?
Solar pool covers have a lot of great benefits that come with their installation. They offer protection against heat evaporation, they heat your pool, and they may even help keep your pool chemicals from imbalance due to UV rays.
All of that sounds amazing, but there are so many options to choose from. How do you know which one is the right cover for your pool? There are different styles as well as colors, and each will have its own unique features and attributes.
One of the first questions you have to ask is clear vs blue solar pool covers? But does color matter? In this article, we will be taking a look at that and some other key factors you should know when making your decision regarding what pool cover and what color.
Does the Color Make a Difference?
When dealing with light and color, the shade of the product will also play a part in the effectiveness and qualities of it. So when it comes to solar pool covers, the answer is an emphatic yes.
There are three different colors you can choose from.
Clear
Transparent solar pool covers are designed to allow the sun’s rays to get through to the waters unfiltered by anything. This means that the light will have a chance to reach deeper into the pool without any form of water circulation system. It may still be advisable to use a water circulation system as it will permit the heat from the light to be even greater.
Clear pool covers won’t retain the heat in the cover, so you will want a steadier light source if you want consistent heat. The ability of the clear unit to allow UV rays to penetrate into the water may also cause chlorine imbalances on the top layer of the pool. By doing this, you may see your chlorine costs rise a bit.
The pool owner that will get the most out of a clear cover is one that has a lot of sun exposure in their yard. If you don’t get at least five hours of sun every day and are looking for a cover to heat your pool, then clear is not a great option, and you should try one of the following colors.
Light Blue
This color will be better at retaining heat in your pool and reflecting that heat into your pool’s water. It is also better at maintaining the balance of chemicals in the water by blocking excess UV rays.
However, it does block some of the heat, according to the USDE (United States Department of Energy). The denser color of the cover will catch some of those UV rays and limit the amount of heat the unit captures in comparison to a clear cover.
The ability of this cover to retain heat is where this color shines. This means if you get sporadic sunlight, then this is a great choice. It is also better at keeping your pool maintenance costs lower than a clear cover as it limits the UV light capability of evaporating your chlorine.
Dark Blue
Dark blue pool covers are by far the best at actually heating your pool. This color will retain heat and convey it more thoroughly than any of the other colors. However, it will not work as well in the day as it will block much of the UV rays from the pol.
So if you are looking for a cover to use in the evening hours so that you have a nice warm pool to hop into in the morning, then a dark blue pool cover is a solid option.
Solar Covers – How Long Do They Last?
The truth is with the right maintenance and upkeep, your solar cover could last anywhere from five years to seven years. The biggest culprit in the deterioration of a solar pool covers are imbalances in the chemicals of your pool and leaving them lying in the sun when not in use.
So as long as you pay attention to these two things, you will be able to extend the life of your solar pool cover.
Solar Cover – What to Look For
Now not only color plays a role in which of the covers you should invest in. You should also take note of the size of your pool as well as the thickness of the cover itself.
Thickness
You can buy covers in multiple different thicknesses – 8, 12, and 16 mm. Thinner covers will allow more light to pass through, heating the pool better. However, thicker ones retain that heat better and are more durable when it comes to UV and chemicals.
Size
This is important, and so you should always measure the dimensions when purchasing your pool cover. It is also better to go larger than smaller as you can trim your cover to the size of your pool.
Maintenance & Upkeep Tips
As we said above, one of the biggest things that shorten the life of your pool cover is poor maintenance. Here are a few tips that should help you get the most from your solar pool cover:
- Keep your chemicals balanced
- Try using a solar reel to remove and store the cover
- Go with the thickest cover that fits in your budget
- Don’t leave it on when giving your pool a shock treatment
- Don’t swim with the cover still on the pool
Summary
Pool covers help make it so you can use your pool longer throughout the year, but they also help keep all the debris from getting in the pool. But you have to have the right one! The battle between clear versus blue solar pool covers is not a clear victory for either option.
Instead, the choice really comes down to which one suits your needs, the pool you have, and the climate in which you live. Hopefully, the information we have laid out above will help you make your decision more decisive and easier to make.
