You may think that a pool cover is an expensive luxury, but there are three practical reasons to buy one: 1) it will save you money in the long run by cutting down on energy costs; 2) it will reduce on maintenance by keeping out leaves and debris; and 3) it is a distinct safety measure.

There are a few cautions, however: Never partially cover a pool. A swimmer who goes under the cover and attempts to rise to the surface could become disoriented and be in danger. Always have the motor completely retract the cover, or pull the cover completely off the pool and store it to the side.

Energy savings
A pool loses a great deal of heat through evaporation, but a pool cover eliminates virtually all of this loss. Depending on your climate, this can save you as much as 60 percent on your heating costs.

Keeping a cover on the pool during the night helps keep the pool warm, whether it has been heated by the sun or by a heater. A “solar” cover has air bubbles that increase the insulation value. However, if you have a standard cover on during a sunny day, you won’t get all the benefit of that solar heat. A solid-colored cover can deflect as much as 40 percent of the sun’s heat; a clear cover only deflects about 10 percent. A solar cover, though, can actually increase the heat gained from the sun.

Easy maintenance
A cover will keep out leaves and other debris; you can simply sweep or blow them away rather than having to skim or scoop them out of the pool. This also cuts down on the work that your filter and cleaning system have to do, saving you money on those costs.

Increased safety
Be sure to buy a cover that’s rated for safety; it should be guaranteed to support the weight of at least a child, and perhaps an adult, who falls on it. Safety covers are designed to be used in conjunction with a motor-driven retractor, which rolls the cover up or out with no effort on your part; manual covers require a significant amount of work and cannot be attached to provide enough protection. Think of a cover as an added measure of safety, but do not rely on it. It is still important to keep the area fenced with a locked gate so children and pets cannot wander in.

Photo courtesy of Cover-Pools, Inc.