It surprises many that swimming pools in the tropics can get really cool in the winter months.
Certainly ours does. Of course, we're 7-9?F cooler in Jarabacoa that the valley, even cooler that StoDgo.
Our pool is now getting cool enough that I kinda gulp before jumping in. I'd pay heavily for 10? or more warmer pool water.
A solar or gas pool heating system is out of the question. So I'm considering a solar pool blanket, and possibly a reel system. The blankets are like heavy duty bubble wrap and reportedly stop 95% of evaporation, warm the water up to 20?F and reduce chemical consumption by around 50-60%. I figure the savings in chemicals (I use about 7g of chlorine a week to keep the water sparkling; the chloro guys comes around every Friday and I fill up 1.5g jugs for RD$40 a gallon, less than half of the store price) would pay for the blanket in 4 months or so.
Another big bonus is the pool will stay a LOT cleaner and algae won't grow as readily in a darker environment, saving labor & chemicals.
So I'm looking around and find that a decent 18 x 36 solar cover will cost around $200-225 MOLall-in ($150 for the cover, $50+ to ship 25lbs.), by the time it gets here. The reel, an option is more spendy (I'll prolly McGyver something with PVC pipes and pieces to make a reel; I'm guessing $30 or less.)
Then I'm thinking: I can't be alone. I'll bet I'm not the only one who might like this way to extend their swimming season fairly inexpensively.
But I'm cheap. Well, not cheap, but I don't like to just throw $$$ at something without looking for better ways. I've looked into volume purchased from Chinese manufacturers of pool equipment to see if a dealio can be struck on higher volumes, inquiring about minimum purchases and possible customization. I do know the minimum manufactured (non-McGyvered) reel is 5; don't know the price, but a reel is around US$200 in the states. Plus shipping, etc.
So I'm reaching out to see if any pool owners want to chat about joining me with a lower cost volume purchase.
Does anyone have experience with solar pool covers?
I have also read about liquid covers, but am very skeptical. Any experience with them?
Certainly ours does. Of course, we're 7-9?F cooler in Jarabacoa that the valley, even cooler that StoDgo.
Our pool is now getting cool enough that I kinda gulp before jumping in. I'd pay heavily for 10? or more warmer pool water.
A solar or gas pool heating system is out of the question. So I'm considering a solar pool blanket, and possibly a reel system. The blankets are like heavy duty bubble wrap and reportedly stop 95% of evaporation, warm the water up to 20?F and reduce chemical consumption by around 50-60%. I figure the savings in chemicals (I use about 7g of chlorine a week to keep the water sparkling; the chloro guys comes around every Friday and I fill up 1.5g jugs for RD$40 a gallon, less than half of the store price) would pay for the blanket in 4 months or so.
Another big bonus is the pool will stay a LOT cleaner and algae won't grow as readily in a darker environment, saving labor & chemicals.
So I'm looking around and find that a decent 18 x 36 solar cover will cost around $200-225 MOLall-in ($150 for the cover, $50+ to ship 25lbs.), by the time it gets here. The reel, an option is more spendy (I'll prolly McGyver something with PVC pipes and pieces to make a reel; I'm guessing $30 or less.)
Then I'm thinking: I can't be alone. I'll bet I'm not the only one who might like this way to extend their swimming season fairly inexpensively.
But I'm cheap. Well, not cheap, but I don't like to just throw $$$ at something without looking for better ways. I've looked into volume purchased from Chinese manufacturers of pool equipment to see if a dealio can be struck on higher volumes, inquiring about minimum purchases and possible customization. I do know the minimum manufactured (non-McGyvered) reel is 5; don't know the price, but a reel is around US$200 in the states. Plus shipping, etc.
So I'm reaching out to see if any pool owners want to chat about joining me with a lower cost volume purchase.
Does anyone have experience with solar pool covers?
I have also read about liquid covers, but am very skeptical. Any experience with them?