How Pool Covers Can Drastically Reduce Water & Energy Costs
Owning a swimming pool is a luxury that provides relaxation, exercise, and entertainment. However, maintaining a pool can be expensive, particularly when it comes to water, energy, and chemical costs. While pool ownership is enjoyable, the associated running costs can be overwhelming. Many pool owners are unaware that using a pool cover can dramatically reduce these costs while also benefiting the environment. This article delves into how pool covers help minimise water evaporation, lower energy consumption, and reduce overall maintenance costs. By the end, you’ll realise why investing in a pool cover is a financially and ecologically sound decision.
The Impact of Evaporation on Water Loss
One of the primary causes of pool water loss is evaporation. Evaporation happens continuously, and a standard-sized pool can lose thousands of litres of water per month due to this process alone. Several factors influence evaporation, including:
- Temperature: Higher temperatures result in greater evaporation.
- Humidity Levels: Dry air absorbs moisture faster than humid air.
- Wind Speed: Wind accelerates evaporation by moving water vapour away from the pool surface.
- Pool Surface Area: Larger pools experience more evaporation because of their greater surface area.
Pool covers reduce evaporation by up to 95%, minimising water loss and reducing the need for frequent refilling. This not only saves on water but also prevents the hassle and expense of constantly topping up the pool.
Energy Savings with Pool Covers
Heating a pool can be a significant ongoing cost, especially in cooler climates. Pool heaters work tirelessly to maintain a comfortable swimming temperature, consuming large amounts of electricity or gas. However, much of the heat generated is lost overnight or during cooler weather due to radiation and evaporation.
How Pool Covers Reduce Energy Use
- Retaining Heat: A pool cover acts as an insulator, trapping heat within the water and reducing heat loss by up to 70%.
- Minimising the Need for Heating: With less heat escaping, your pool heater doesn’t need to work as hard, leading to significant energy savings.
- Solar Covers: Solar covers absorb sunlight and transfer the heat into the water, reducing the need for artificial heating.
With consistent water temperatures, pool covers allow pool owners to reduce heating expenses and extend their swimming season without excessive energy consumption.
Reduced Chemical Consumption
Maintaining the right chemical balance is vital for pool health, but pool chemicals can be expensive. The combination of heat, sunlight, and exposure to air accelerates the degradation of pool chemicals, requiring regular reapplication.
Benefits of Pool Covers for Chemical Retention
- Protecting Chemicals from UV Rays: A pool cover shields pool water from direct sunlight, reducing the breakdown of chlorine and other sanitising agents.
- Reducing Algae Growth: By limiting sunlight exposure, pool covers hinder the growth of algae, cutting down on the need for algaecides and additional chlorine treatments.
- Lowering Maintenance Costs: With fewer chemicals needed, pool owners save money on purchasing and applying them.
A pool cover helps to maintain chemical efficiency, keeping your pool water healthier for longer and minimising the need for constant chemical treatments.
Preventing Debris and Reducing Filtration Costs
A pool that is left uncovered is susceptible to accumulating leaves, insects, and debris. This can result in clogged filters and increased filtration demands. A pool cover serves as a barrier, preventing contaminants from entering the water, which, in turn, reduces the workload of your filtration system.
Advantages of a Clean Pool
- Less Frequent Cleaning: With fewer leaves and dirt entering the pool, owners spend less time cleaning and skimming.
- Extended Equipment Lifespan: Reducing debris lowers the strain on your pool pump and filter, extending their lifespan and preventing expensive repairs.
- Lower Energy Usage: Since the filtration system won’t need to work as frequently, this leads to further energy savings.
A cleaner pool means fewer cleaning tasks, lower energy use, and reduced wear and tear on your equipment.
Types of Pool Covers
Pool covers come in various types, each designed to meet different needs. Here are some common options available to pool owners:
1. Solar Covers
These are typically made from durable plastic with air pockets, allowing them to capture solar energy. Solar covers transfer heat into the pool water while preventing evaporation.
2. Thermal Covers
Made from materials such as insulating foam or durable plastic, thermal covers retain heat and help maintain the pool’s temperature, making them ideal for pools in colder climates.
3. Automatic Covers
These covers are motorised, making them convenient and easy to use. Automatic covers are particularly effective at reducing evaporation and maintaining pool temperature.
4. Winter Covers
Designed for the off-season, winter covers help prevent debris accumulation and algae growth, while also protecting the pool from harsh weather.
5. Safety Covers
These covers provide extra security, as they can support the weight of a person or pet, preventing accidents while also offering savings benefits.
Financial and Environmental Benefits
The savings associated with pool covers go beyond just water and energy costs. By reducing evaporation, lowering heating expenses, decreasing chemical consumption, and cutting filtration costs, a pool cover can pay for itself in a relatively short time.
Estimated Annual Savings
- Water Savings: Up to 50,000 litres per year for a standard pool.
- Energy Savings: Pool covers can reduce heating costs by 50-70%.
- Chemical Savings: Reduction in chemical usage by 30-50%.
- Filtration & Maintenance: Lower operational costs, reduced strain on equipment, and less frequent maintenance.
Pool covers also help conserve water and reduce energy consumption, which ultimately benefits the environment. Reduced water use helps conserve local water resources, while energy savings contribute to fewer carbon emissions from heating.
Choosing the Right Pool Cover
When selecting a pool cover, it’s important to consider factors such as pool size, local climate, and your budget. While automatic covers provide maximum convenience, even a simple solar or thermal cover can provide significant savings.
Make sure that the cover fits your pool properly to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency.
Conclusion
A pool cover is an invaluable investment for any pool owner looking to cut down on water, energy, and maintenance costs. By reducing evaporation, improving heat retention, lowering chemical consumption, and reducing filtration demands, pool covers offer both financial and environmental benefits.
If you haven’t yet installed a pool cover, it’s time to consider making the change. With various options available, from solar covers to automatic systems, there’s a solution for every pool. Not only will a pool cover save you money, but it will also help make your pool more eco-friendly and easier to maintain.
Get a FREE QUOTE with Factory Pools Perth today.
