Frank and Jacque discuss conserving pool heat with solar covers, solar rings, liquid solar blankets, and cold water balance.
00:00 – introduction
07:50 – solar blankets, liquid blankets, and solar rings to reduce heat loss and evaporation. Solar blankets do transfer some heat into the water, but we believe the biggest benefit is they reduce heat loss by reducing evaporation. Frank has a problem with solar blankets because he believes that increases the possibility of drowning risk. Small children and animals are more likely to step onto solar covers. When they do, they can easily fall between the edge of the pool and the cover. Once under the cover, they panic and can’t get out. If you have a solar blanket, please have extra barriers to prevent animals and small children from getting to the pool. Pool guys typically despise solar covers. They are a pain to deal with when servicing swimming pools. Some studies show that a solar cover can prevent around 75%-90% of heat loss and evaporation if they are properly fitted for the pool. Solar blankets can be a complete pain to put on and take off.
14:15 – solar rings are smaller sections of solar material, typically with a rigid border, that can be placed on the surface of the pool. You can use several of these at a time to achieve as much complete coverage as you wish. These can also transfer heat from the sun to the water. Since rings do not completely cover the surface of the pool, they are less beneficial for reducing heat loss and evaporation.
14:50 – liquid solar blankets are chemicals you add to the pool that creates a layer on the surface of the pool that reduces evaporation, which reduces heat loss. There are several different brands of liquid solar covers available. These are an inexpensive, easy way to reduce heat loss and evaporation, but some studies show they are 25% to 40% as effective as an actual solar cover. These are typically less effective in windy or rainy conditions or on pools that have a lot of surface disturbance due to waterfalls or other features.
17:02 – break
17:50- water balance (LS): I am affected by water temperature. The colder the water is, the more aggressive the water is. When maintaining pool water in the winter you may find that running a little higher pH or alkalinity to keep the LSI in a proper range. In areas with low calcium issues, you may want to increase your calcium levels when the water is colder. For about every 10 degrees Fahrenheit drop in water temperature, your LSI will drop about .08. So during the winter if your water temperature drops 50 degrees, you can expect about a .4 drop in your LSI. So, with that considered, all other factors remain the same. If you were keeping your LSI at 0.0, and the water temperature dropped 50 degrees, then your water is going to be aggressive and can damage your pool surfaces and equipment.
24:00 – adjusting pH. Pool pros and pool owners need to understand what chemicals you should primarily use to raise pH. There appears to be some confusion. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) should be primarily used to raise alkalinity. It will raise pH a little bit, but it is best used to raise alkalinity. Sodium carbonate (soda ash) is best used to raise pH. It will raise alkalinity a bit, but it has a much greater effect on pH. Using the proper pool chemical for the proper purpose is extremely important. Using the wrong chemical can easily cost you money and time and possibly require you to use excessive chemicals to achieve your goals of properly balanced and sanitary water.
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