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I've been researching solar options to heating my swimming pool (Bay Area of California - sunny and between 70-80 degrees for the next 6 months). My pool is about 20' x 40', irregularly shaped, max 8 ft deep. Solar panels don’t seem to be an option, so I think my best bet is with a solar blanket. I’m fairly set on buying a clear blanket, but I wanted to get a second opinion before sinking the money into it. The websites I found say that I should see a 10-15 degree increase in pool temperature. Is that accurate? Is clear the best color to get? If so, what’s a good price for a clear blanket? If possible, could my response be from an Expert with personal experience with this problem? Is there an option that I’m overlooking?

Submitted: 349 days and 7 hours ago.

Category: Home Improvement

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Posted by electrifier 349 days and 5 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello there,
My neighbors used to use the sun to heat their pool, at least pre-heat it to reduce the gas bill. Is this something you would like to hear about? If you like I could explain it to you and see what you think.......

349 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

If it requires a lot of effort or costs a lot, I honestly probably won't do it. If you think it is a better alternative to the solar pool blanket, then I definitely want to hear about it, but would also like to know why you think it is better than the option I'm already consideringpoolquestion139903.0065380787

349 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Hi, Electrifier, do you have an answer to my question? If not, does someone else?

Posted by electrifier 349 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

Your pool has a pump that circulates a volume of water out of the pool and back into the pool. My neighbors purchased a length of black plastic water pipe. This pipe was coiled to give maximum surface area visible to the sun. It was placed on wooden stands and the water was pumped thru this coiled pipe. The sunlight is absorbed by the black plastic pipe and the heat is transfered to the water inside the pipe. The longer the pipe the more surface area visible to the sun and the more water passing thru the pipe the more heat is captured into the water. This method almost replaced their pool heater. It greatly reduced their usage of gas to heat water for the pool. They were quite satisfied with the design. The only expense is the black plastic water line and the wood to build the frames to hold the pipe for sun exposure.
If this sounds good to you you can accept the answer. If it doesn't sound workable to you it's not necessary to accept this. It's up to you. I'm trying to give you an idea I've seen work in the past. I'm in Michigan so the sun is not as direct as in areas south of us .

349 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Sorry -- that won't work for me the area around our pump is shaded for most of the day, and redirecting the black plastic pipe would be difficult and an eye-sore. Does anyone have a response for me regarding my original question?poolquestion139903.0758009259

348 days and 12 hours ago.

Reply

I'm still waiting on an answer to my original question. Is there another expert that can help?

Posted by Mark Henley 348 days and 8 hours ago.

Answer

Hi,

I've moved your question to the home improvement area as it is not really an HVAC question and they will be better equipped to answer questions about your pool.

Thanks

Mark.

Accepted Answer

Thank you for using Just Answer!

I am a general contractor in Florida and have built numerous pools along with my homes. A few of my customers have opted to go with the solar covers as well. We get a steady amount of direct sunlight in the winter months and is the least expensive option to heating your pool.

As far as the color you choose is based upon your expectations. If you go with the clear, then you will have the most sunlight rays enter the pool and is the most efficient. The black color absorbs more heat and may heat the pool quicker but they eventually become an eye sore because they fade out from the sun exposure. I would definitely recommend the clear cover. You can typically expect a 10-15 degree temperature increase.

A variable that you will need to consider is the shape of your pool. You mentioned that it is an irregular shape. You will have to customize the cover to the shape of your pool.

You can expect to pay in the range of 250.00 - 300.00 for the cover. There are a few variables like the thickness of the cover and shipping costs that will add on. I am not sure about the increased costs for an irregular shape pool, but I can't imagine that it would be much more. Most online sites have a customer service number that they should be able to address the irregular shape costs.

The storage of the solar covers is convenient as well. You basically just take it off the water and fold it up like a blanket. They are kind of awkward folding when they are wet. If you have room on your pool deck, they also make reels that you can just roll it up.

If this has been helpful, please click the green accept icon. Feel free to post any follow-up questions you may have.

Thank you,
XXX X.

Expert:	Home Improvement Jay
Pos. Feedback:	99.0 %
Accepts:	345
Answered:	3/31/2009

General Contractor

7 years exp. residential home and pool construction; mold, fire and flood remediations.

348 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for your response! It sounds like I am on the right track with a solar cover. I read somewhere that as long as the solar cover doesn't have an aluminum side, I should be able to cut it to the shape of my pool myself. Do you not think that would be possible?

Posted by Home Improvement Jay 348 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

Thank you for your accept!

Yes you can cut them to the shape of your pool. Some companies will customize them to fit your pool for an extra fee, but this is not necessary if you willing to do it yourself.

Best of luck with the pool!
Jay T.

348 days and 2 hours ago.

Home Improvement

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Question

Info Request

Hello there,
My neighbors used to use the sun to heat their pool, at least pre-heat it to reduce the gas bill. Is this something you would like to hear about? If you like I could explain it to you and see what you think.......

Reply

Reply

Hi, Electrifier, do you have an answer to my question? If not, does someone else?

Answer

Reply

Sorry -- that won't work for me the area around our pump is shaded for most of the day, and redirecting the black plastic pipe would be difficult and an eye-sore. Does anyone have a response for me regarding my original question?poolquestion139903.0758009259

Reply

I'm still waiting on an answer to my original question. Is there another expert that can help?

Answer

Hi,

I've moved your question to the home improvement area as it is not really an HVAC question and they will be better equipped to answer questions about your pool.

Thanks

Mark.

Accepted Answer

Reply

Thank you for your response! It sounds like I am on the right track with a solar cover. I read somewhere that as long as the solar cover doesn't have an aluminum side, I should be able to cut it to the shape of my pool myself. Do you not think that would be possible?

Answer

Thank you for your accept!

Yes you can cut them to the shape of your pool. Some companies will customize them to fit your pool for an extra fee, but this is not necessary if you willing to do it yourself.

Best of luck with the pool!
Jay T.

Reply

Thanks!

Home Improvement

Ask a Home Improvement Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Home Improvement question?

Related Home Improvement Topics:

Question

Info Request

Hello there,My neighbors used to use the sun to heat their pool, at least pre-heat it to reduce the gas bill. Is this something you would like to hear about? If you like I could explain it to you and see what you think.......

Reply

Reply

Hi, Electrifier, do you have an answer to my question? If not, does someone else?

Answer

Reply

Sorry -- that won't work for me the area around our pump is shaded for most of the day, and redirecting the black plastic pipe would be difficult and an eye-sore. Does anyone have a response for me regarding my original question?poolquestion139903.0758009259

Reply

I'm still waiting on an answer to my original question. Is there another expert that can help?

Answer

Hi, I've moved your question to the home improvement area as it is not really an HVAC question and they will be better equipped to answer questions about your pool. Thanks Mark.

Accepted Answer

Reply

Thank you for your response! It sounds like I am on the right track with a solar cover. I read somewhere that as long as the solar cover doesn't have an aluminum side, I should be able to cut it to the shape of my pool myself. Do you not think that would be possible?

Answer

Thank you for your accept!Yes you can cut them to the shape of your pool. Some companies will customize them to fit your pool for an extra fee, but this is not necessary if you willing to do it yourself.Best of luck with the pool!Jay T.

Reply

Thanks!

Related Home Improvement Questions

Hello there,
My neighbors used to use the sun to heat their pool, at least pre-heat it to reduce the gas bill. Is this something you would like to hear about? If you like I could explain it to you and see what you think.......

Hi,

I've moved your question to the home improvement area as it is not really an HVAC question and they will be better equipped to answer questions about your pool.

Thanks

Mark.

Thank you for your accept!

Yes you can cut them to the shape of your pool. Some companies will customize them to fit your pool for an extra fee, but this is not necessary if you willing to do it yourself.

Best of luck with the pool!
Jay T.