The Benefits of Pool Covers (and Rollers)
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Pool covers are becoming more and more popular as they're the best way to reduce dirt and debris getting into the pool as well as saving you hundreds of dollars in excess water bills preventing evaporation. They're also great at retaining heat to extend the swimming season.
Here are the top 4 reasons to invest in a pool cover
It will save water
While evaporation rates vary greatly depending on a range of factors such as pool size and location, an average heated 8 x 4m pool in Brisbane will lose almost 45,000 litres of water each year and up to 80,000 litres of water each year if it’s heated all year round.
A pool cover will save you money by reducing your water bill by approx. 45,000 litres/year from having to top up from the tap.
They will keep your pool water clean
Pulling the cover over your pool after each use will save you a lot of time cleaning out leaves, dirt and other debris that would be blown into the water if it wasn’t covered. This ensures it’s clean and clear when you’re ready to use it.
You’ll reduce chemical loss
Chemically balancing the water is one of the most costly and time-consuming parts of owning a pool. By installing a pool cover, the need for chemicals such as chlorine and salt can be reduced by up to 50 per cent by preventing the chemicals from evaporating and keeping them effective in the water for longer.
It keeps the heat in, which reduces heating costs
The pool cover acts as a barrier between the cold air and the warmer pool water. A pool cover will increase heat retention by up to 75 per cent, reducing power consumption normally used to run a heat pump, solar or gas system. The heat they generate won’t be instantly lost and it also means the system won’t have to work as hard, so you can reduce running times and costs.
The main factors that affect evaporation rates from domestic outdoor pools are:
Pool surface area - The bigger the pool, the more surface area, therefore, a greater evaporation volume.
The temperature of the water and air - The highest evaporation rates occur when the differences between water and air temperatures are the greatest. This may not be in the middle of a hot day when the pool is in use. At this point, the water and air temperatures may be quite close. Later at night the pool water may remain warm, but the air temperature has fallen substantially - that means a greater temperature difference between the air and water - and greater evaporation.
Humidity - The drier the air is, the greater the evaporation rate. In very humid conditions less evaporation occurs.
Wind - The final and very significant factor for home pools is wind. A breeze of just a gentle 11 kilometres per hour can more than double the evaporation rate by removing the insulating layer of warm, moist air directly above the pool surface.
Brisbane Annual Evaporation = 1,500 mm/year
Water Loss 40 sq/m Pool = 60,000 Litres*
So, how often do you top up your pool in summer?
Do you know how much water flows from your backyard hose per minute?
Of course, it varies with local water pressure, but according to the NSW Government, it is approx. 17 litres per minute.
With this in mind, as an example, an average pool in summer may take topping up for 10 minutes a day, every second day. This would use 17 litres x 10 minutes x 15 days = 2,550 litres a month! And that’s a conservative estimate.
How much will a pool cover save me?
A pool blanket will almost completely stop evaporation - yet, when it does rain, all the water that does fall can still go into the pool, effectively ‘topping it up’.
If a pool cover is used diligently it will save up to 95% of your water evaporation
Brisbane Savings = 1425 mm/year
Water Saving 40 sq/m Pool = 57,000 Litres
Covers
Oasis Premium Blue (550 micron) Pool Cover
Independently tested, the Oasis Premium Blue (550 micron) is proven to stop up to 99.84% of evaporation.
With a deep ocean blue colour, a Premium Blue pool cover not only attracts more heat but also looks great.
This model has quickly positioned itself as one of our top-selling solar covers.
Oasis Silverback (550 micron) Pool Cover
Oasis Silverback (550 micron) is suitable for all pools, indoors, outdoors, commercial and residential!
Its translucent blue top attracts the sun’s rays, while a silver backing helps to hold the heat into the water.
It has been independently tested and proven able to prevent up to 99.84% of evaporation and comes with a 10-year pro-rata warranty.
Triple Cell Pool Cover
This revolutionary, ultra-premium solar pool cover combines 3 bubbles into one unique, energy-efficient shape.
With a more significant air zone, this uniquely designed cell offers better insulating properties and greater protection from chlorine attack.
It will stop over 99% of evaporation and comes with a 12-year pro-rata warranty.
How to measure your pool cover
To measure your pool for a solar cover, simply measure the pool length (at the longest point), and width (at the widest point), treating the pool as a large rectangle.
The pool cover sits inside the pool and floats on top of the water, so take your measurements from inside the pool, at the waterline.
We add a little extra when we make it, to allow for any shrinkage, and so that you can leave the solar cover to roll up the inside of the pool wall a little, to stop leaves from falling into the water.
Rollers
When most people think of pool cover rollers, they think of static, bulky, weathered, chalky and cracked plastic. Things have come a long way and now there is a range of lightweight, mobile, powered, modern-looking pool cover rollers that are functional, stylish and come with good warranty periods.
If you have a pool cover, you’ll need a roller, dragging a pool blanket on and off your pool all the time would be difficult and will damage it much more easily.
Pool Rollers help you to roll your blanket on and off the pool, quickly and easily. Most pool rollers now include adjustable blanket fasteners, a quality protective cover and flexible fittings that make installing and using your pool cover and reel, easy!
Reels for Inground Pools
We have several models suitable for inground pools, or pools with a decked surrounding. All models are available with lockable castors for mobility. With adjustable length tubes, from 2.4m to 7m wide, suitable for taking covers up to 20m long, there is one to suit most domestic pools.
Sunbather Rollers
Downunder hidden pool cover roller
Downunder Hidden Roller Cover
The Downunder roller hides the roller mechanism in a cavity at one end of the pool covered by a lid when it’s not in use. It is operated from a standing position and the lid closes flush with the pool deck when the cover is fully retracted and also when it’s fully extended out over the pool.
Multipro Roller (entry level / smaller pools)
The Multipro Roller is an entry-level roller suitable for average-sized swimming pools (<45m²). It features wide, stable, power-coated aluminium end-frames with two large hand wheels and a telescopic roller shaft for easy installation.
Easy to freight and assemble for the DIY installer.
Stainless Platinum Roller (larger pools)
The new Platinum Roller is Sunbather’s most popular. Made from 316 Stainless, it has multidirectional castors and drop pins to secure the roller when in use. The 114mm diameter shaft is built for strength & durability and is suitable for pools up to 60sqm.
Disclaimers
*PLEASE NOTE: All figures quoted refer to typical UNHEATED pools. If your pool is heated, and depending on when and to what temperature, the evaporation rates could well be significantly higher.
**Scratches and chips not covered
