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SOLAR COVERS AND REEL SYSTEMS

For a variety of reasons, the single biggest energy

conservation move that you can make is to put a cover on

the pool or spa. First, the cover reduces the heating bills

by preventing heat loss. The cover can also reduce the

amount of dirt and grime that enters the pool, reducing the

amount of time it takes to remove them from the water

through filtration or vacuuming.

A solar cover goes one step further by collecting heat

from the sun, which lessens that reliance on fossil-fuel burning heaters. In addition, the cover

will save on the amount of chemicals and water that need to be added. Covers can also

reduce evaporation, which can waste both water and heat and increase the Total Dissolved

Solids levels in the water. Some estimates say that as much as 50 gallons a day can be lost

in an uncovered pool from evaporation; that’s more than 18,000 gallons of water wasted each

year.

Though solar pool covers are not a necessity, they are highly recommended in preserving

energy and making your pool more pleasant to swim in. Please note the following tips when

using your solar cover:

CAUTION: Solar covers can pose a drowning hazard to children or pets who may try to

walk across the cover. ALWAYS keep an eye on children around the pool and warn

them that the cover will NOT support them and that they should not try to play on or

around the pool. DO NOT swim with the cover on.

Covers should float on the surface of the water, bubble side down.

DO NOT remove your cover and lay it on the lawn. The intense

UV rays of the sun will burn-out the grass very quickly.

Leave your solar cover off after shocking your pool and during

treatment for visible algae or cloudy water. This will help promote

the circulation and water quality of the pool, as well as extend the

life of your solar cover.

When the solar cover has been removed and is reeled onto a solar reel, it should be

covered with the protective white plastic supplied with the cover, to protect the coiled

cover from gathering heat in the sun and possibly sticking together.

DO NOT leave your pool covered for 3 to 4 days or more without removing the cover

from time to time to promote circulation and reduce algae growth. This includes

vacation time; leave your cover OFF while away.

Solar reel systems are available for all styles of pools; above ground, inground and custom

shapes. This illustration below shows how a solar reel can be placed on various pool shapes.