How a Solar Pool Cover Reduces Pool Heating Costs

---

Whether you heat your pool with a heat pump, gas heater, or solar system, a solar cover helps retain heat, improve efficiency, and lower monthly energy bills.

Why Pools Lose Heat So Quickly

Most pool heat loss doesn’t come from cool air, it comes from evaporation. When warm pool water evaporates:

• Heat energy escapes with it
• Water temperature drops rapidly
• Pool heaters must run longer to recover

In fact, up to 70% of pool heat loss occurs due to evaporation, especially at night or during windy conditions.

How a Solar Pool Cover Reduces Heating Costs

A solar pool cover creates a thermal barrier across the surface of the water.

Key benefits:

• Prevents evaporation, locking heat in
• Reduces overnight heat loss
• Shortens heater run times
• Maintains consistent water temperature

By keeping heat in the pool, your heater works less often and more efficiently—resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced operating costs.

Solar Pool Covers Also Add Free Heat

Solar pool covers don’t just retain heat, they generate it. The bubble-style material:

• Absorbs sunlight
• Transfers solar energy directly into the water
• Naturally raises pool temperature

Many pool owners see a 5–10°F increase in water temperature from sunlight alone, helping reduce heater usage during the day.

 

What About Liquid Solar Blankets?

In addition to traditional solar covers, there is also an option known as a liquid solar blanket.

A liquid solar blanket:

• Is a biodegradable liquid added directly to the pool
• Forms an invisible layer on the water’s surface
• Helps reduce evaporation and heat loss
• Works automatically as the water circulates

While liquid solar blankets don’t retain heat as effectively as a physical solar cover, they can still provide modest energy savings, especially for pool owners who prefer a hands-off solution or don’t want to handle a cover.

How Much Can You Save?

Typical savings when using a solar pool cover include:

• 30–60% lower pool heating costs
• 50–70% reduction in heat loss
• Faster heat-up times
• Less wear and tear on pool heaters

For many pool owners, a solar cover pays for itself within a single swimming season.

Works With Any Pool Heating System

Solar pool covers improve efficiency for all heating methods:

• Heat pump pool heaters
• Gas pool heaters
• Solar pool heating systems

Even unheated pools benefit by staying warmer and more consistent.

Additional Cost-Saving Benefits

Beyond reducing heating costs, solar pool covers:

• Reduce water evaporation by up to 95%
• Lower chemical usage
• Keep debris out of the pool
• Reduce pump and filtration demand
• Extend the swimming season

Are Solar Pool Covers Worth It?

If you heat your pool at any point during the year, a solar pool cover is one of the highest  ROI (Return On Investment) pool accessories available.  It’s:

• Affordable
• Energy-free
• Easy to use
• Effective immediately

Liquid solar blankets can be a helpful alternative, but for maximum heat retention and savings, a traditional solar pool cover remains the most effective option.

Final Thoughts

Heating a pool without a solar cover means paying to replace heat that’s constantly escaping.  A solar pool cover, or even a liquid solar blanket, helps:

• Retain heat
• Reduce energy costs
• Improve heater efficiency
• Keep your pool comfortable longer

For pool owners focused on lower heating bills and smarter energy use, it’s a simple upgrade with big returns.