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THE OIL SQUEEZE

DANNY TEIGMAN

July 21, 2008

Can solar pool covers save you money?

YES. Solar pool covers, or "bubble" covers, are like large, thick pieces of plastic bubble wrapping, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's Web site, and are one of the least expensive covers to buy.

They're used when a pool isn't in use and are most effective at night, when a pool can lose up to 70 percent of its stored heat through evaporation.

The Web site says if such a cover is used during daylight - when a pool absorbs 75 to 85 percent of the sun's energy, warming the water - a transparent one is "generally beneficial." A transparent solar cover will slow that solar absorption by only 5 to 15 percent, whereas darker or opaque covers will reduce daytime warming by 20 to 40 percent.

Covers can also help save money on the amount of chemicals used, the expense of heating, and the cost of replenishing evaporated water.