Solar Cover Savings Calculator
0 if unheated.
DOE: 50–70%.
DOE: 35–60%.
Estimated savings per season
$450.88
Covering the pool 12 hours a day for 150 days saves about $450.88 and 6,909 gallons of water.
- Heating
- $300.00
- Chemicals
- $105.00
- Water
- $45.88 (6,909 gallons)
- Evaporation uncovered
- 97 gallons per day
How it's calculated
- Daily evaporation comes from the ASHRAE evaporation equation used on the pool evaporation calculator.
- The EPA WaterSense program states that covers prevent up to 95% of evaporation while they are on.
- Default savings rates are the low ends of the DOE ranges: 50% of heating and 35% of chemicals, to stay conservative. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Swimming Pool Covers (make-up water 30–50%, chemicals 35–60%); heating savings of 50–70% as cited from DOE by the Florida Building Commission pool efficiency fact sheet; EPA WaterSense: covers prevent up to 95% of evaporation while on.
- Your heating and chemical spending are inputs because they vary too much between pools to guess. Replace the defaults with your own figures.
Worked example
A 512 sq ft pool kept at 82 °F, average air 78 °F and 60% humidity, covered 12 hours a day for a 150-day season, with $600 of heating and $300 of chemicals:
- Uncovered evaporation: about 97 gallons a day.
- Water saved: 97 × 150 × 0.5 × 0.95 = 6,909 gallons, worth $45.88.
- Heating: $600 × 50% = $300.00. Chemicals: $300 × 35% = $105.00.
- Total: $450.88 per season.
What a cover saves (DOE ranges)
| Item | Typical saving |
|---|---|
| Heating cost | 50–70% |
| Make-up water | 30–50% |
| Chemicals | 35–60% |
| Evaporation while covered | up to 95% |
Frequently asked questions
How much money does a pool cover save?
Mostly on heating. The U.S. Department of Energy puts heating savings at 50–70% for a covered pool, plus 30–50% less make-up water and 35–60% fewer chemicals. On an unheated pool the savings are much smaller: some water and chemicals.
Do solar covers actually heat the pool?
Mainly by keeping heat in rather than adding it. Evaporation is the largest heat loss from a pool, and a cover stops most of it. Clear bubble covers also let sunlight through, so they can add a few degrees on sunny days.
Should I leave the solar cover on during the day?
On sunny days a transparent cover can stay on to collect heat, but if the pool overheats or chlorine climbs too high, take it off for a few hours. The biggest saving comes from covering it every night.
Does a pool cover reduce chlorine use?
Yes. It blocks sunlight, which breaks down chlorine, and keeps out debris. DOE estimates 35–60% lower chemical consumption with a cover. Lower your chlorine target slightly if FC starts running high.
How long does a solar cover pay for itself?
Divide the cover price by the yearly savings from this calculator. For heated pools the payback is often within a season; for unheated pools it depends mainly on your water and chemical costs.
Related calculators
Related guides
See all Pool Heating Calculators.