All Things Swimming Pool Covers
At the recent SPLASH! Convention here on the Gold Coast, a hot topic amongst stall holders was swimming pool cover vs no swimming pool cover, does one outweigh the other?
Why have one? Are they really a benefit? Do they save money for the outlay? What about the time to put it on and take it off? These are all relevant points when considering if a swimming pool cover is a good option for you and your pool.
In a short answer – it’s really all about personal choice – unless you live in NSW, then it becomes regulation to have one if you have a gas heater or heat pump – even if there is solar heating involved, (who knew right?)
The Evolution of Pool Covers
Pool covers have come a long way since their humble beginning. With more colour selections, material choices and even options for hard covers that can hold around 80kgs when fully closed, it really is an ever-evolving item.
Cost Benefits
While the initial outlay of a pool Covers can seem excessive and the multitude of colours and material options available can be a little overwhelming at times, the benefits can far outweigh the costs in the long run.
Energy Benefits
A pool cover can help you save water, energy, time and money. Reduce water evaporation by up to 99% – depending on the climate and rainfall in your area, an average swimming pool can lose between 100 and 200 litres of water every single day, that’s a whole lot of drinking water disappearing with your hard-earned dollars into thin air!
Chemical Savings
Keep the pool chemicals where they are needed – in the water! Save on chemical evaporation. When water evaporates, it also takes chemicals and salt. By using a pool cover it can help reduce salt and chemical loss by up to 50%. Some new and innovative pool covers can even allow the chlorine gas that is released to escape through the membrane of the cover whilst still maintaining all the benefits of the cover itself.
Solar Pool Cover Heating
The Great Aussie sun in all its glory can be generated to help heat your pool by up to 8ºC, by using a solar pool cover! On this same theory it can save on heat loss through evaporation, keeping the heat in the water, therefore helping to reduce your pool heating costs.
Reduce Debris
Do you have large trees in yours or your neighbours’ yard? A pool cover may help reduce the amount of valuable time spent cleaning your pool by keeping organic matter, like dirt and leaves out, it reduces the possibility of staining of your pool interior and filters are less likely to become blocked with debris.
Out of sight, out of mind!
Gone are the days of a bulky wheel to store your cover at one end of your swimming pool, taking valuable playing space away from the kids! A new innovative idea is a manual or semi-motorised wheel stored under the current tiles, decking or grass space at one end of your pool. You simply lift the cover, use the string handles to roll the cover over your pool then when you want to remove it, you have an option of either a standing crank or a motorised option to reel the cover back neatly into the space, close the lid and jump on in!
Spend less time cleaning your pool and longer months swimming comfortably in your pool with the help of a pool cover.
The Verdict: Do You Need a Swimming Pool Cover?
In conclusion the evolution of pool covers has certainly come a long way over the years, and dependant on your requirements the benefits in having one can’t be missed. Whether you’re after heating efficiency, cost savings, or hassle-free maintenance with less debris, a swimming pool cover may be just what you need.
Contact Bali Pools, your leading Gold Coast pool builders to enquire about including a pool cover as part of your new swimming pool project.
