Pool Covers Did you know it's possible to reduce your pool heating cost by as much as 50-70% just by using a pool cover? You can help save money and conserve energy at the same time. A majority of the heat that's lost from a pool is lost at night or during a cool rain. There are 3 types of pool covers...1)Bubble/Solar Cover, 2)Vinyl Cover, 3)Insulated Vinyl Cover. Bubble/Solar Covers are the least expensive of the three. It looks like bubble wrap, but it's made of a thicker grade of plastic and has UV inhibitors that allows for a longer product life. Pool covers can come in a variety of colors. They can be opaque or transparent. If you choose to use a Bubble/Solar Cover, I recommend finding one that's as transparent/clear as possible. The sun-light helps to heat a pool during the day. The more sunlight that's able to penatrate a solar cover, the warmer the Bubble/Solar Cover will keep your pool water.Vinyl Covers are typically made of a heavier material and have a longer life expectancy than Bubble/Solar Covers. Insulated Vinyl Covers have two layers of vinyl with a thin flexible layer of insulation that sits between the two vinyl layers. There are 3 ways a pool cover can be placed over a pool...1)Manually, 2)Semi-Automatic, 3)Automatic. Manual pool covers require a person to physically place the pool cover over the pool. Sometimes the covers are wound up on a spool/roll so it's easier to roll out or to roll up. Semi-Automatic pool covers have a motorized reel system that will roll out or roll up automatically, but typically needs a person to pull on the cover or guide the cover while it's rolling out or rolling up. Automatic pool covers are the most expensive, yet most convenient way to cover a pool. Automatic pool covers are permanently mounted and can cover and uncover a pool with just a push of a button. Automatic pool covers are typically the safest pool cover option. Most are sturdy and can prevent a person from accidentally falling into the pool while the cover is on. Estimating Swimming Pool Gas Heating Costs and Savings The table below estimates annual costs by location, by water temperature, and with or without using a pool cover. Table 1. Costs of Outdoor Pool Gas Heating by Location* Location Season Temperature 78° 80° 82° Miami 1/1–12/31 $2136 $2848 $3600 w/ cover 1/1–12/31 $416 $584 $800 Phoenix 3/1–10/31 $1384 $1776 $2216 w/ cover 3/1–10/31 $96 $168 $256 Dallas 4/1–10/31 $1512 $1920 $2456 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $184 $280 $408 Atlanta 4/1–10/31 $1704 $2248 $2880 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $320 $424 $592 Los Angeles 5/1–10/31 $1864 $2376 $2904 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $168 $304 $472 Kansas City 5/1–10/31 $1434 $1872 $2384 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $288 $416 $544 New York 5/1–9/30 $1448 $1904 $2384 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $208 $296 $400 Chicago 5/1–9/30 $1621 $2072 $2536 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $216 $296 $384 Denver 5/1–8/31 $1757 $2120 $2498 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $123 $168 $243 Boston 5/1–8/31 $1712 $2096 $2504 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $232 $328 $461 Minneapolis 6/1–9/30 $1331 $1776 $2176 w/ cover 6/1–9/30 $192 $248 $384 San Fran 6/1–8/31 $1560 $1856 $2168 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $192 $320 $472 Seattle 6/1–8/31 $1525 $1784 $2056 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $304 $424 $552 *Figures based on a 1,000 square-foot, outdoor pool heated with an 80% efficient natural gas heater at $.50 per therm. Estimating Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heater Costs and Savings Table 1 estimates annual swimming heat pump pool heating costs by location, by water temperature, and with or without using a pool cover. Table 1. Costs by Location of Heating Outdoor Pools with a Heat Pump* Location Season Temperature 78° 80° 82° Miami 1/1–12/31 $1100 $1460 $1845 w/ cover 1/1–12/31 $215 $300 $410 Phoenix 3/1–10/31 $680 $875 $1090 w/ cover 3/1–10/31 $45 $85 $125 Dallas 4/1–10/31 $760 $970 $1240 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $90 $140 $205 Atlanta 4/1–10/31 $840 $1110 $1425 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $155 $205 $290 Los Angeles 5/1–10/31 $950 $1210 $1485 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $85 $155 $240 Kansas City 5/1–10/31 $715 $935 $1185 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $145 $205 $270 New York 5/1–9/30 $740 $975 $1220 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $105 $150 $200 Chicago 5/1–9/30 $810 $1035 $1270 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $105 $150 $195 Denver 5/1–8/31 $875 $1055 $1245 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $70 $100 $150 Boston 5/1–8/31 $875 $1075 $1280 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $120 $165 $235 Minneapolis 6/1–9/30 $660 $850 $1040 w/ cover 6/1–9/30 $100 $125 $190 San Fran 6/1–8/31 $800 $950 $1110 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $95 $165 $240 Seattle 6/1–8/31 $770 $900 $1035 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $150 $215 $280 *Figures based on a 1,000 square foot, outdoor pool heated with an air to water heat pump with an average COP of 5.0 at $.085/kwh.