Calculators / Pool
How much will a pool cover save?
Put in what you spend heating the pool, and on chemicals if you know. You get the yearly savings range and how each kind of cover compares.
Updated · How we check our numbers
A cover saves
$740 to $1,080 a year
EPA says a solid cover saves 50 to 70% of pool heating costs: $600 to $840 of your $1,200 a year, plus $140 to $240 on chemicals (ENERGY STAR: 35 to 60%).
- Heating
- $600–$84050–70% saved
- Chemicals
- $140–$24035–60% saved
- Evaporation
- Over 90% lesssolid cover
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Estimate for planning only, not professional advice. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, your local code and a licensed professional before you buy, build or install. Use at your own risk. Terms.
Size the heaterHeat pump, gas or solar
heating = $1,200 × 50% to 70%
chemicals = $400 × 35% to 60%
Cover types
EPA WaterSense- Solid or mesh safety coverCuts evaporation: Up to 95%Up to 95%
- Solar (bubble) coverCuts evaporation: 50 to 95%50 to 95%
- Liquid coverCuts evaporation: About 15%About 15%
The savings come from keeping it on whenever nobody is swimming.
Solar and liquid covers don't keep children out. A safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is a different product.
How we work it out
savings = heating cost × 50% to 70%
EPA WaterSense: "solid pool covers can reduce evaporation by more than 90 percent and, in the case of heated pools, save between 50 and 70 percent of pool heating costs." EPA rates solid and mesh covers at up to 95% less evaporation, solar covers 50 to 95% and liquid covers about 15%. ENERGY STAR, citing the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, adds 35 to 60% less spent on chemicals.
Where the numbers come from
Guides
Pool care
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