Have you considered using pool covers in Sacramento lately? Having a swimming pool in your backyard is a convenient way to relax, get exercise, and have fun in the privacy of your home. However, owning a pool also means you are also responsible for its upkeep, ensuring the water stays clean and intact.
Some pool owners may think it is fine to leave the pool uncovered after using it. However, they never realize that an uncovered pool allows the water to evaporate under the searing sun. Sunlight can also cause algae to form in the pool, potentially leading to water waste if not properly managed.
How much water does an open swimming pool lose?
An average-sized swimming pool typically loses water due to evaporation. The amount of pool water loss varies based on several factors, such as weather conditions, humidity, wind, and temperature. Here’s a general estimate for both normal and summertime weather:
In normal weather:
- Average daily evaporation: 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.6 to 1.3 cm) of water a day.
- Weekly evaporation loss: This equates to about 1.5 to 3.5 inches (3.8 to 9 cm) of water per week.
It amounts to approximately 250 to 500 gallons of water per week for an average-sized pool (about 500 square feet).
During the hotter months:
- Average daily evaporation: 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) of water per day, depending on the intensity of heat, wind, and low humidity.
- Weekly evaporation loss: This equates to about 3 to 7 inches (7.6 to 17.8 cm) per week.
It would result in approximately 500 to 1,000 gallons of water lost per week for the same average-sized pool.
These estimates vary significantly based on local climate, pool cover usage, and wind exposure. Using a pool cover can reduce evaporation loss by 50-70%.
An uncovered pool means additional costs
Leaving your pool uncovered leads to potential additional costs in the following ways:
- As water evaporates, you need to refill your pool more often than you should, leading to increased water consumption and potentially higher water bills.
- Evaporation also leads to pool chemical loss, which requires more chemicals to maintain the proper balance. This means spending more money on chemicals than you should.
- If you heat your pool, water loss through evaporation means that the freshly added water will also need to be heated, leading to potentially higher energy costs.
Tips to reduce pool water evaporation
You can prevent water evaporation from your swimming pools by considering several tips:
- Use liquid pool covers: These invisible barriers made from biodegradable alcohol form a thin layer on the water’s surface, reducing evaporation without affecting the swimming experience.
- Install windbreaks: Wind can increase evaporation, so installing fences, walls, or landscaping like tall shrubs around the pool can block winds and reduce water loss.
- Lower pool temperature: Warmer water evaporates more quickly. Reducing the pool temperature by just a few degrees can significantly slow evaporation.
- Use a pool enclosure: A fully enclosed pool (such as with a glass or polycarbonate dome or structure) not only helps with evaporation but also protects the pool from debris and can extend your swimming season.
- Reduce water features: Waterfalls, fountains, and similar features increase the water surface area exposed to air, leading to more evaporation. Limiting their use or running them during cooler parts of the day can reduce evaporation.
- Shade the pool area: By limiting direct sunlight exposure, shade structures like umbrellas, shade sails, or pergolas can lower the water temperature and reduce evaporation.
- Minimize splashing: Encourage less water play that involves excessive splashing, as water that splashes out of the pool does not return and needs to be replaced, contributing to overall water loss.
- Monitor water levels: Installing an automatic pool filler or carefully monitoring the water level can ensure you only add what’s necessary, reducing excess water usage.
- Use a pool cover: Using a solid pool cover (not mesh) can help reduce evaporation by up to 95%.
How does a pool cover reduce water loss?
Imagine how much water your pool would lose by leaving it uncovered indefinitely! You could prevent it by installing a cover over the swimming pool.
If anyone would doubt whether a pool cover is effective in preventing the water from evaporating, here’s how it works:
- Evaporation reduction: The primary cause of water loss in pools is evaporation. Pool water exposed to air, sunlight, and wind evaporates more quickly. A pool cover creates a physical barrier between the water and the atmosphere, significantly slowing evaporation.
- Temperature retention: Pool covers help retain pool water heat, potentially reducing the temperature difference between the pool water and the air. Since evaporation increases with more significant temperature differences, retaining heat reduces evaporation.
- Wind blockage: Wind can increase evaporation rates by blowing across the water’s surface. Pool covers act as windbreaks, preventing air from moving directly over the pool and further reducing water loss.
- Chemical retention: Pool covers also help maintain chemical levels by preventing the evaporation of pool water and chemicals like chlorine. This reduces the need to add more water and chemicals, conserving both.
- Minimizing splash and water loss: Some pool covers, particularly solid types, can reduce water loss from splashing or rain displacement, helping to maintain a consistent water level.
Other benefits of using a pool cover
A pool cover does not only prevent water loss due to evaporation. It also offers several other benefits, including:
- Heat retention: It helps retain heat in the pool, reducing the energy needed for heating, especially during cooler nights or off-seasons.
- Improved safety: Pool covers can provide a safety barrier, preventing accidental falls, especially for children and pets.
- Reduced debris: They keep leaves, dirt, and debris out of the water, making maintenance easier and improving water quality.
- Algae prevention: A cover can also help inhibit algae growth by blocking sunlight, thus keeping the pool cleaner for extended periods.
Parting words
More pool owners realize the importance of installing pool covers in Sacramento due to their wide range of benefits. Save water and costs with quality manual or automatic pool covers from Pool Covers, Inc.! We offer manual and automatic safety covers for pools and spas of any shape, size, and style. We can cover any new or existing pools or spas. For inquiries and assistance, contact us at 707-864-6674 or customerservice@poolcoversinc.com.
