First, pool blankets do not heat pools, regardless of what some people in the industry will
tell you. The only purpose pool blankets serve is to prevent pool heat from escaping into the
atmosphere. They serve purely as insulation -- in the same way that blankets keep people warm.
Unless it’s an electric blanket; the blanket itself does not supply heat. It merely serves as
insulation, keeping the body heat under the blanket. The same principle applies to pool covers.
All they do is keep pools from cooling off once they have been heated. Regardless of the method
or fuel used to heat a pool, the pool blanket will help the pool retain the heat much longer than it
would last without the pool blanket.
Second, pool blankets will work best when they are used consistently. To prevent heat
loss from your pool, be sure that you cover it with a pool blanket at the end of the day -- or on
cloudy days. Water retains heat well, but only when the pool blanket is used as 60-70% of the
pool’s heat loss occurs directly from and off of the surface of the pool.
Third, recognize that using a pool blanket often requires a lot of effort. Even pool blankets
that are used in conjunction with rolling devices are sometimes difficult to maneuver. Invest in a
pool blanket that’s easy to use and made of durable material. The easier it is to use, the more you
Finally, a quick note about your pool’s temperature sensor.
Ever wonder if it is working
correctly because the water feels chilly even though the temperature reading is warm?
temperature sensor may more accurately reflect the top layers of heat on the pool which are caused
by solar radiation, normal flow and pool blanket use.
With flowreversal, the water rises from the
bottom of the pool and your temperature sensor will reflect a more accurate indication of the pool’s
overall temperature -- the temperature you feel when you go into the pool.