Solar Pool Covers

With solar technology making more and more advancements in recent years more people are looking into it as an option for heating their pool. The fact is, that in many instances solar power can be relied on to heat a pool several degrees depending on certain climatic conditions.

However; a solar powered pool cover can be used by itself or to augment a more traditional gas or electric pool heating system. There are basically two types of solar powers pool covers and they are referred to as passive and active solar powered pool covers. As a general rule of thumb, any passive solar powered system, including pool covers referres to a system that has no mechanical or energy powered moving parts in it.

This means that a passive solar powered pool cover will require that you remove or pull it back by hand and they will without exception tend to be less expensive. An active solar powered pool cover will be powered by electricity and with the simple push of a button, it can be rolled or pulled back.

Solar powered pool covers all work on the same basic principle in that they effectively keep heat trapped in under the cover. In an uncovered pool, heat is continually being given off through evaporation and on windy days even more heat is given off. If you are considering a pool cover to help keep your pool clean then you may want to consider going with a solar powered pool cover, so you can also keep your pool warm at the same time.

This is because when it comes to keeping your pool warm, a solar powers pool cover is one of the most cost effective methods of doing so and it can and will extend your pool season further into the colder months then normal.

Written by Angelina Gibsen. Find the latest information on Solar pool covers

 

Choosing Swimming Pool Covers based on Price will Cost You

Choosing pool accessories is often one of the least researched considerations for new pool owners. Interestingly, pool cover research is often done AFTER the consumer has purchased his first one and now must replace it. You can avoid the pain, the hassle and the cost of replacing your pool cover if you make the right informed decision at the onset.
Swimming Pool covers come in a wide range of quality and material to match the needs of each pool owner. Pool covers come in solid fabrics of various strengths and durability. Pool covers of a solid material will block sunlight to help diminish the development of algae and minimize debris from getting into the pool.
There's a myriad of pool covers to choose.
Covers for winter: The value of a winter pool cover comes from the quality of each of its components and the construction process used to make it. A US made winter pool cover will last many years. US manufacturers make the best winter pool covers. The following points will guide you to the best decision (hint: none of them are price).
1.The manufacturing process used by U.S. manufacturers produces fabric strands that are superior in strength and straightness due to a hot air process compared to Import manufacturers that use a water loom process. The imports as a result deliver a weaker, kinky strand that requires more outer protective coating to seal it. This distinction allows U.S. producers to make more durable, more uniform pool cover fabrics that are lightweight yet stronger than the competitive imports. Ultimately, the domestic product is less likely to delaminate and separate away from the fabric.
2. Denier: The most important consideration is called the "Denier", which refers to the breaking strength of each strand used in the weave fabric. The denier associated with domestic winter covers is nearly twice that of the imports, making them almost impossible to rip. They hold up to harsh winter conditions far better as a result. The ability to stop rips lends itself to cover durability, longevity and serviceability.
3. The third factor is the "Scrim ", the number of strands woven together horizontally and vertically, per square inch. Intuitively, the more strands, the stronger the cover, depending of course on the denier. The consumer should understand that Scrim by itself is not indicative of quality. Stores that sell on price do not educate the consumer with respect to denier, origin of manufacture etc, and the consumer is none the wiser. Ultimately, many pool owners will have to replace their imported, cheap pool covers within a couple years because of these quality differences. Like many things of quality, the overall cost of ownership associated with quality products is less even if the initial price tag is more expensive.
MESH POOL COVERS: Mesh pool covers block most of the light, yet allow water to penetrate the cover. This advantage means you do not need to pump the water accumulation off the pool cover, leaves and debris will just blow away or easily removed. This allows faster pool opening in the Spring. By avoiding the requirement to refill the pool, you save water and lots of time. Mesh and solid pool covers are available in round or oval shapes to fit most pool shapes and sizes.
AUTOMATIC POOL COVERS: An Automatic pool cover uses an electric motor to open and close the cover. The cover rides on a track system that is built into the top of the in-ground pool wall or deck. An automatic pool cover serves as the pool solar cover, winter cover and a safety cover that lasts for years.
SOLAR POOL COVERS: Solar pool covers deliver solar energy to the water increasing the water temperature and reducing heat loss. Pool solar covers capture heat from sunlight inside thousands of tiny sealed air bubbles and transfer that energy to the pool water. The darker the pool cover color, the more heat they attract and the faster the transfer. Solar covers can add weeks of swimming fun by raising the water termperature 15 degrees over normal. Solar pool covers can pay for themselves in terms of energy conservation and help to prevent heat loss and pool water evaporation. They can reduce your pool heating costs by hundreds of dollars. They come in most standard sizes and can be trimmed to fit the pool as needed or ordered to fit. Although pool solar covers are lightweight and float on the pool surface, they still can be difficult to manage. Reels can be setup to ease the task of putting the pool solar cover on or removing it. Trying to manage a solar cover without a reel is difficult and may require two people. Even without the reel though, the benefits from the solar heating blanket make it well worth the small investment.
POOL SAFETY COVERS: As implied by the name, they help protect your pool for accidental drowning and intrusion. Choices for pool safety covers include Solid or Mesh fabric. There are advantages to each. Solid fabric will better block all the algae causing sunlight. The more popular mesh fabric will block most of the light yet allows rain, melting ice and snow to pass through and the leaves and debris just blow away. The covers are anchored into the pool deck to lock the cover down, so throughout the winter or during vacation your pool can be protected against intrusion or accidents. They are strong enough to support the weight of your entire family, so they offer peace of mind.
Your choices of pool covers depend on many factors as you can see. Basically, it is recommended that you pick your cover based on the application and needs. AFTER you've chosen the correct design should you consider prices among suppliers for the particular type of cover you've settled on and don't be enticed by a lower price that compromises your decision for the best solution.
This information comes from Americas Best Pool Supply. We educate our clients first. If you want more information click http://www.skyautomach.com

Poolside Patio Cushions

It’s great to have a swimming pool at home and a poolside patio where you can relax in the summer and soak up the sun.
Nothing makes a reclining poolside chair more comfortable than a wonderful thick padded patio cushion. But you need to take special care of the cushions you use by the poolside and take to choose the right fabric for patio cushions.
Poolside patio cushions get subjected to a lot of ill treatment in particular from the water (often chlorinated) from swimming costumes and wet bodies if you sit on them directly after coming out of the pool.
Always make sure your poolside chair cushions are made of waterproof fabric and spread a towel over your seat before sitting down to soak up some of the moisture.
In addition, if you have a pool you are likely to be living in a climate which gets a lot of sun. Look for patio cushions made of fade resistant fabric and take care not to get sun tan lotions on your cushions.

Five Cool Things About Solar Pool Covers

Its time to start thinking about barbecues, baseball, and spring time! And with that comes the desire to fire up the swimming pool. These days you can help warm your pool and help your wallet with solar pool covers. Lets talk about five cool things about these products:
1. They Extend the Swimming Season A pool cover that converts sunlight into heat can heat the water by as much as 10 degrees when exposed to full sun. These means that you could start swimming earlier in the year and stop swimming later in the year. These covers absorb the heat from the sun and keep the heat within the water from escaping. Just like insulation on your home, a cover like this is a must-have.
2. They Can Save you Money Using the sun’s energy to help heat your pool can ultimately save money on your energy bill. Even if you don’t want to extend the swimming season, or if you live in an area that is cloudy in the spring and summer, a sun cover can help. By trapping the sun’s free rays, your heater won’t have to use as much energy. Most people find that a sun cover pays for itself in just a couple seasons.
3. They Are Very Durable At first glance, a solar cover looks like a gigantic sheet of bubble wrap. But they are surprisingly resilient. The space-age material that they are made of was developed by NASA. The material acts like a one-way street, trapping heat from below and transmitting heat from above.
4. They Are Easy To Use These covers are used basically like you would use any other cover. They roll up on a reel at the end of the pool, or can be taken off and folded by hand. The materials that they are made off are very lightweight and much of the extra thickness they have is actual air trapped in the plastic bubbles.
5. They Are Very Affordable This of course is the best part. These covers can often be found for less than $500. Even complete systems with reels, rollers, and covers can be had for less than a $1000. If you couple this with the fact that you save energy and you get to enjoy your pool for a few extra weeks and maybe even months, its practically a no-brainer.
For more information on solar pool covers, visit http://www.skyautomach.com.

Pool Cover Pumps - Save Up To 37% Off

Any pool setup requires pool cover pumps and pumps for filtering and heating. It's important to make the right choice when getting a pool pump, and you will not be satisfied with your purchase if you do your homework. A pool pump is in control of circulating water through heating and filtering joins with virility and at the lowest energy costs as possible. Ensure the pump you get as able designed to operate efficiently with your size pool. Follow that one easy rule and you can not fail. The right pool pump for the job Even the best pool pump can use up masses of power, on the scale of a household air conditioner. At a median of 3 / four h.p., a pool pump represents a major power consuming device.

There are many brands of pool cover pumps including the Little Giant Pool Cover Pump. It is a decent pool cover pump for all your swimming pool pump needs. There are many other brands of swimming pool cover pumps so it pays to check price and energy usage on the pump you end up purchasing.

It may be enthralling to purchase a bigger pump than is needed. A better methodology is to use a pump that optimize the power and duration in order to circulate the water in as short period of time and with as well as required.

Both these firms have pumping systems for your pool type and size. Also auctions are a great way to save money on all your pool cover pumps and accessories.

Hayward has been around for a long time and has a lot of experience in pool cover pumps and swimming pool pumps.

Each pump bought from a Hayward dealer incorporates over 80 years experience in pool pumps. Established in the 1920s, Hayward Pool Supply supplies the industries top pool apparatus to this day. Filters, heat pumps, or any other circulation related items can be acquired from Hayward for Hayward products, so you know each item is designed as a systematic approach. Intex Pool Supplies The Intex Recreational Co. Anything having to do with water fun and sports can be had through Intex. Intex makes amazing inflatable pool products, swimming gear, water toys, floating mats, and other fun accessories. In addition, they are quite widely known for high standard pool pumps and sport a huge array of pumps for each need your pool could have. Next is to setup the timer, regulator or other virility features to gain the lowest possible power use while still getting the job done. When you decide on your pool cover pump, just follow the directions and you'll be ready to go.

Avery is an expert author on many subjects. Here he discusses pool cover pumps and where to find

Tips to Buy Swimming Pool Covers

Are you planning to buy a swimming pool cover? If yes then keep on reading this article. In this article I have tried to give some tips to buy swimming pool accessories. There are lots of sources which offer high quality accessories at reasonable prices. Online stores are getting more and more popular. There are many reasons behind the increasing popularity of online shopping. Online shopping is beneficial for both customers and retailers. Online stores always offer discounts and free gifts because company don`t have to pay the money for product launching in the market. In this way customers can buy high quality accessories at reasonable prices.
It is good idea find some information about the materials which are used to manufacture swimming pool covers. Mainly there are two types are materials which are used in manufacturing swimming pool covers. The first type of material is known as mesh. A mesh completely covers the pool and does not allow debris and leaves to enter the pool. These types of covers are available in different sizes, shapes and colors. If your swimming pool is having a special design then you should look for customized covers. The customized covers can be designed according to the size and shape of your pool.
The second type of material which is used for manufacturing a cover for the pool is known as vinyl. Vinyl is an excellent insulating material. Vinyl cover plays many roles. The first one is insulation of the pool. With the help of this you can keep the water of the pool warm. The second function of vinyl cover is safety and cleanliness.
There are some minute details which should be kept in mind while buying a cover for a swimming pool. First of all you should know all your needs. It is a good idea to fix a budget before buying anything new for your home or office. You can go through the prices offered by different companies after fixing the budget. A proper budget can help you a lot in saving some money. It is a good idea to go through the guarantee of the product before buying it. Guarantee of the cover signifies it`s quality. There are many good companies which offer a life time warranty.
It is a good idea to purchase the accessories through internet. There are many reputed websites and online stores which sell swimming pool accessories. These websites can be found with the help of major search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN. All you have to do is to type the keywords in the search bar and to click the search icon. Always try to find a reputed and secure website. The method of payment should be safe.
Buying an excellent accessory is a bit difficult task but can be made easier by following some tips and techniques which I have stated in this article. It is a good idea to spend some time with friends or relatives who he recently bought a cover for their pool.
A cover is an essential part of a pool. It not only keeps it safe but also increases it`s functionality.
If you want to know more about Solar Pool Covers then it is a good idea to visit Swimming Solar Pool Covers.
By Jitesh Arora

What are Solar Pool Heaters?

Solar Pool heaters can greatly reduce your energy costs. They?re more cost effective than either gas or heat-pump swimming pool heaters. You?ll be able to save on annual operating costs once a solar pool heater system is installed. Best of all, a solar swimming pool heater can be used in most climates.
The typical solar pool heater system consists of a solar collector, a filter, a pump, and a flow-control valve.
• The solar collector is the device which the pool water passes through, to be heated by the sun.
• The filter removes the dirt and debris before the water is pumped into the solar collector.
• The pump is the what circulates the water through the filter and solar collector, and brings it back into the swimming pool.
• And finally, there's the flow-control valve. It is either an automatic or a manual device, which redirects the water through the solar collector.
• A solar pool heater system works in the following manner.
The water from the pool is pumped through the filter and then enters the solar collector, where it is again heated before it returns to the pool. In hot climates, the solar collector can also be utilized to cool the pool, by circulating the water at night.
Some solar pool collectors use sensors and a valve, which redirects water through the solar collector when the collector temperature is greater than the pool water temperature. When both temperatures are the same, the filtered pool water won't return to the collector, but will simply return to the pool.
There are different types of solar pool heating systems. They differ in the types of materials they are made out of. You will need to find out which type is best for your region?s climate, and how to use it.
There are glazed and unglazed solar collectors. If the temperature in your area reaches above freezing, then you?ll probably just need an unglazed solar collector. This is made out of heavy-duty rubber or plastic, treated with a UV light inhibitor. Unglazed solar collectors are cheaper than their glazed counterparts, because the parts are inexpensive, and their design is simple.
Glazed solar collectors are typically made from copper tubing and aluminum plates, with iron-tempered glass covers. These are quite expensive, but in colder weather, this type of system is more efficient in heating pool water than unglazed collectors are. Glazed solar collector systems can also be used as domestic hot water heaters. Both types of solar pool heating systems need to have freeze protection when used in harsh cold weathers.
As you can see, solar pool heater systems can be a good investment. You?ll save a lot of money in terms of energy costs, in the long run.
Anna is a webmaster and a blogger who educates others on solar energy uses and cleaner living styles. You can find more information on solar pool heating systems on her blog, at Choosing the Right Solar Pool Heater.

Why You Absolutely Need a Swimming Pool Cover

If you have a swimming pool, and you don't have a cover, you're losing time and money and may even be endangering your family.
If you are a swimming pool owner, you're a lucky homeowner. You have a place to relax and play during the warm weather. Of course, you may incur some high monthly energy bills in the summer too, as running a pool cleaning system and heating a pool can be expensive. And don't forget all that work you have to do to keep the leaves out and properly maintain your swimming pool. And of course you have to worry about small children or pets falling into the pool when you're not around...

I'm not getting you down, am I?

I just want to remind you of some of the downsides of being a pool owner so you realize why a swimming pool cover is such a smart investment. There are three major reasons you should invest in a swimming pool cover:

1. Safety

If you have small children or pets, it's hard to watch them all the time. However, a good swimming pool cover can protect them from falling into the pool. Many covers are designed for this purpose and you'll often see their ads with an elephant standing on the pool cover without damaging it or falling in. I guess if an elephant's weight can be supported, your kids will be okay!

Don't forget the safety of neighborhood kids too. Even if your kids are grown, you always have to be aware that youngsters from surrounding houses might think it's fun to sneak into your yard and use your pool while you're away. Believe it or not, you'd still be responsible if something happened to them. A secure pool cover can save you a lot of grief and worry. Though neighborhood kids might be enticed by a sparkling open pool beckoning to them from across the fence, it's unlikely anybody is going to take the effort to remove the pool cover to get in.

2. Energy conservation

Are you spending a lot of money heating your pool? Or maybe your water gets too hot in the summer, since you live in a warm climate, and it's not refreshing to swim in.

Either way, a pool cover can keep hot sun rays out and heated pool water in. This means you'll spend less on heating your pool in cooler climates, and the water temperature will stay comfortable in hot climates.

3. Less maintenance

A pool cover is also practical simply because fewer things fall into the pool that have to be strained out. If you have a lot of trees in your yard, then you know what I mean. Dragging leaves out of the pool every day gets very old very quickly!

By covering the pool at night, when it's windy, or other times you're not using it, you can save yourself a lot of effort in the maintenance department. Not only do tree leaves frequently blow into pools, but just regular dust, sand, and small debris can travel on the wind or be kicked in from a nearby lawn or garden.

Having a pool cover in place means doing less maintenance work overall.

So, as you can see there are three good reasons for having a pool cover: they create more safety, they mean less money spent on energy, and they mean less maintenance.

You can find more swimming pool cover information at this site on swimming pools. You may also want to read about swimming pool insurance to make sure you have enough coverage for safety issues homeowners face.

Your Swimming Pool Could Get You Sued

A backyard swimming pool or spa can be an invitation for trouble if someone gets injured. Find out how to protect yourself from law suits that could destroy you financially.

Installing a backyard swimming pool can make those hot summers a lot more fun and relaxing, but could it get you into a lot of financial trouble too? The short answer is: yes.

If you're not properly insured, and someone gets hurt in your pool, you are inviting law suits. I know what you're thinking: my friends and family are the only ones who use my pool... they're not going to sue me if anything happens.

Guess again.

It's not necessarily that people love to sue or even want to. They may have to. With the high costs of medical expenses today, a family that suffers a serious injury (or--god forbid--a death) probably can't afford not to sue. And if a person was injured at your pool in your backyard, guess who's technically at fault?

If someone gets hurt, don't be surprised by a lawsuit: expect it. And don't think you can watch the pool every moment to make sure nothing happens. Accidents will occur no matter how relentless you are in trying to prevent them. Risks of accidents are statistically proven to be very high around backyard pools and hot tubs.

This isn't to say you should pour dirt into your pool, plant a nice safe flower bed, and post "keep out of yard" signs all over your backyard. You just need to make sure you are adequately covered when it comes to insurance.

Okay, you're sold. Now how do you make sure you're covered?

If you own a swimming pool or hot tub, you should carry very high liability insurance, i.e. in the range of a million dollars or more.

This can be tricky since many homeowner's insurance policies limit the maximum exposure of the insurer to $100,000. Sometimes you can get this raised to $300,000, but getting covered beyond that, from your homeowner's plan alone, will likely prove difficult.

This is why you want to look into an umbrella plan. This is a separate liability policy in addition to your homeowner's coverage. It generally picks up where your homeowner's insurance leaves off, and you can get coverage of several million dollars.

The cost for this additional coverage is usually minimal, in the neighborhood of $500 per year. This may seem pricey, but considering the millions of dollars of coverage it affords you, it's worth the money, especially if you entertain and have a hot tub or pool.

One last thing to note is that you may have to buy all your insurance from the same place, which would include home and auto. If you have a pool or spa, it's probably worth changing insurers to find one who offers an umbrella plan.

For more information on the topic, check out these articles on homeowner's insurance or this information on swimming pools and hot tubs

5 Tips to Lower the Cost of Running Your In-Ground Swimming Pool

When installing a swimming pool, most people don't realize that its initial cost is only a small part of the money they have to invest in it. No-one would dispute that owning a swimming pool is great, but running it can be quite costly. Discover how to make your pool more energy efficient, so you can enjoy it and not worry about the cost too much.

1 Invest into energy efficient pumps and motors

Choosing the right pump for your swimming pool is very important. You will probably be surprised to know that in the first year of operation a swimming pool pump and motor can consume more energy than their initial cost. Bear in mind that you expect your pump to work for several years and it becomes obvious that buying a cheaper model that is not energy efficient will cost you much more in the long term.

So if your pumps are several years old, replace them with new, more energy efficient ones. And if you only start building your pool, invest in a good pump from the beginning.

2 Use pool covers

When we think of pool covers, most people assume that their main function is to prevent fallen leaves and debris from getting into the pool. Covers do that, of course. But what is more important, they prevent your pool from loosing its temperature.

If you use a pool heater in colder months, most of your energy loss will be because water evaporates from your pool taking the heat away. Just cover your pool when it's not in use and that alone will save you up to 50 percent of heating costs.

3 Don't let the wind steal your heat

Pool covers are great when the pool is not in use, but how do you prevent water evaporation when you are actually swimming? One way is to reduce wind around the pool. You can plant shrubs or build a fence to block wind. One thing to consider when installing windbreakers is that they have to be close enough to your pool tokeep the wind out, but they shouldn't block the sunlight.

4 Set the right water temperature

If you use a gas pool heater, it consumes considerably more energy when you make your water warmer. Add about 10 percent of energy cost for each degree. So by keeping your temperature low, you can save significantly. Of course, if you don't fancy swimming in cold water, you can install an energy efficient heater.

5 Consider installing a solar swimming pool heater

The best thing about a solar heater is that apart from the initial cost of buying and installing one, it costs nothing to operate, the energy source is free. Solar heaters are ideal for heating swimming pools, especially if your pool is not very large.

There are two general types - glazed and unglazed solar collectors for heating outdoor pools. Unglazed solar heaters are actually inexpensive and work quite well in most cases. These units are simple, made from black plastic or rubber. There is no need for a water tank - water runs directly through the collector. Glazed collectors are more sophisticated and include a heat exchanger. They provide better faster heating, but they also cost more to install.

You can also use a combination of solar and gas heaters. Use a gas heater to heat up your pool quickly, but then you can switch it off and let the solar unit keep the water temperature pleasantly warm.

Tanya Turner is a publisher of Swimming Pool Supply and Accessories where you can find information about all types of pools, and price comparisons of swimming pool supply and accessories

A Guide to Automatic Pool Cleaners

Cleaning your swimming pool is a must in order to ensure that your environment is safe and protected. Automatic pool cleaners clean pebbles, dirt, bugs, debris, and even sand grains from the swimming pool floor and water. In fact, automatic pool cleaners help you to keep your pool dirt free even without hiring a swimming pool cleaning company to do it.
Automatic pool cleaners can clean all types of swimming pool surface. When properly used, such devices may make maintaining and owning a pool more fun. Hence, while choosing automatic pool cleaners, you must take a thorough look at all the features of your swimming pool before making final decision.
How Automatic Swimming Pool Cleaners Function
Automatic pool cleaners are basically waterproof vacuum that may be connected to the filter of your pool to clean all dirt and debris collected along the sides and bottom of your pool. Such devices will pick up almost everything from leaves to twigs and pebbles, and remove small insects and germs as well. Automatic pool cleaners perform a lengthy job, yet it is quite easy to install or assemble them.
However, not all pool cleaners function in the same way, and just like vehicles there are different models and makes with variety of warranty options and features. They are also available at wide ranging prices starting from nearly $150 to almost $800. They also have wide range of operating methods; hence, you must certainly see the video clipping of an automatic pool cleaner before you purchase it.
Tips to Buy and Use Automatic Pool Cleaners

• Visit a swimming pool supply shop, and discuss about the type of pool cleaners that are best for your swimming pool. Gather all information regarding your swimming pool’s features such as filtration system, depth, volume and dimension before buying and using automatic pool cleaners.

• Ensure to have electrical outlet for your automatic pool cleaners. Automatic pool cleaners generally entrap clay with the help of internal filter system; however you must plug them into electrical outlet.

• Buy the right cleaner that suites the size of your swimming pool. Some cleaners are designed to clean the entire floor of your swimming pool and have self monitoring system that ensures coverage.

• Install and start your automatic swimming pool cleaner. Some cleaners may take 2 to 3 hours to perform the entire cleaning process; however, there are some that can do it within 1 hour. Check pool chemicals on completion and also adjust as required.

• Use automatic pool cleaners daily to lengthen the life of the filtration system of your swimming pool. They are inexpensive to run, and save backwash costs and electricity.

Advantages Of Pool Covers

A swimming pool needs to have various safety components to prevent accidents happening in and around them. These can be perimeter fencing, pool-surrounding fences and adult supervision. Pool covers are also one such safety component. Safety is the most important and foremost virtue of a swimming pool cover. However, it also saves water that will otherwise be lost to evaporation.

These days, you can choose from a wide range of pool covers, with manual, semi-automatic and automatic systems. The benefits of using a pool cover include reduced pool maintenance costs, solar heating, energy preservation and removal of evaporation. All of these things make up for the cost of a pool cover.

Pool covers are often referred to as "horizontal fences". Unlike conventional fences, pool covers do not isolate the pool deck or backyard, but only the water. A pool cover provides a strong barrier defense as a pool safety device. Various options are available without reducing water features, elevated walls, freeform design, or other pool features.

Water features have become quite popular these days to make a pool spectacular. You can also cover your pool with multiple water features on both ends, with the slide that is only a few inches above the floor.

Tips for Choosing a Pool Cover

Pool covers are available in a number of shapes, sizes and categories. Solar pool covers not only protect your pool, but also warm the water using solar energy. During the winter season, both ground and above ground pool covers will keep dirt, debris and animals out of your pool.

There are certain things that you need to keep in mind when you're shopping for a pool cover:

• Pool covers should be strong. Its function is not only to keep your pool clean, but also to provide safety. The purpose of using a pool cover is to prevent accidental drowning and entering of dirt or debris.

• Your selection for a pool cover must be as per your state and local law requirements. Contact your local authorities to get the related information.

• Check that the pool cover has a warranty. It should be at least for two years for all defects. Make sure you're happy with the kind of customer service provided by the company.

• Overlap length of the pool cover must be bigger than your pool's size. This way, you can safely anchor the pool cover without worrying that your pool is not covered completely.

• Check the pool cover has the required parts for the safe anchoring of it without the fear of slipping. In larger pool covers, a strap or anchor is provided for every four feet of the cover.

Overall, safety must be given first priority while purchasing a pool cover. Make sure that you read all of the instructions given by the manufacturers, and that all the local law requirements of your area are properly fulfilled.

Best New York City Swimming Pools

Nothing feels better than a cool dip on a hot summer day in the city. New York City has plenty of clean, well-maintained swimming pools that are perfect for sweltering dog-day afternoons. Most of Manhattan's outdoor swimming pools open at the beginning of the summer and close after Labor Day. Find the best New York City swimming pools in your area and dig your bathing suit out of storage.
Downtown Manhattan Swimming Pools
Asser Levy Rec Center

• Address: East 23rd Street and FDR Drive
• Phone: 212-447-2020
• Getting There: 6 train to 23rd St. and walk east
• Pool Type: Indoor and outdoor pools available
• Cost: The outdoor pool is free. Membership for the indoor pool is $75/year (not open during the summer).
• Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Overview: The indoor pool is beautiful, featuring a fountain and skylights. The outdoor pool, open July through Labor Day, is clean and serviceable. Asser Levy also has basketball courts, a playground and an Arts and Crafts room. And it's fun to say "Asser Levy."
Chelsea Piers Sports Center
• Address: Sports Center, Pier 60, 23rd St & the Hudson River
• Phone: 212.336.6000
• Getting There: E to 23rd St. and walk west, M23 bus to the Chelsea Piers
• Pool Type: Six-lane indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River
• Cost: $50 day passes available. Call for the latest membership fees.
• Hours: Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Overview: Great pool for serious swimmers and millionaires. Membership is pricey, but the pool and the sports center are deluxe.
Dry Dock
• Address: E. 10th St (bet Ave C & D)
• Phone: 212-677-4481
• Getting There: 6 to Astor Place
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Overview: Clean public pool.
Hamilton Fish Recreation Center
• Address: 128 Pitt St. between Stanton and Houston
• Phone: 212-242-5228
• Getting There: F to Delancey St.
• Pool Type: Two outdoor pools (one is for kiddies)
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Overview: The pools are very clean with attentive lifeguards. Free swimming lessons are offered in the summer -- call 718-699-4219 for more information.
Stuyvesant High School
• Address: 345 Chambers St. between the West Side Highway and the Hudson River.
• Phone: 646-210-4292
• Getting There: 1,2,3 to Chambers St.
• Pool Type: Indoor lap pool
• Cost: Annual membership is $300 for the pool only and $425 for all facilities
• Hours: Open to the public on evenings and weekends
• Overview: Nice indoor pool with a view. No crowds on most weekdays.
Tompkins Square Mini Pool
• Address: 500 E. 9th St.
• Phone: 212-260-1316
• Getting There: F to 2nd Ave. or 6 to Astor Place
• Pool Type: Outdoor mini pool (3 feet deep)
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Overview: Small, shallow pool is great for smaller kids. A lifeguard is on duty, but kids must be at least 3'8" and 6 years old. The pool is in Tompkins Square Park, which also features playgrounds, basketball and handball courts, and game tables.
Tony Dapolito Recreation Center (formerly known as Carmine Street Rec Center)
• Address: 1 Clarkson St. between 7th Ave. South and Hudson St.
• Phone: 212-242-5228
• Getting There: 1,2,3 to Houston St. or A,C,E,F to W. 4th St.
• Pool Type: Indoor and outdoor pools available
• Cost: The outdoor pool is free. Membership for the indoor pool is $75/year for adults, $10 for seniors, and free for kids under 18 (not open during the summer).
• Hours: Mon. through Fri. 7 a.m.to 10 p.m.; Sat. amd Sun. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Overview: The outdoor pool can get very crowded on hot days. The Tony DaPolito Center also has very affordable after-school programs summer camps, and sports leagues.
Uptown Manhattan Swimming Pools
Asphalt Green
• Address: 555 E. 90th St. at York Ave.
• Phone: 212-369-8890
• Getting There: 4,5,6 to 86th St.
• Pool Type: Manhattan's only 50-meter Olympic standard swimming pool
• Cost: Drop -in day rates are $35 for adults and $10 for kids (drop-in not available weekedays between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.).
• Hours: Weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m.to 8 p.m.
• Overview: Beautiful pool with great kids' programs. Explore Asphalt Green.
The Hotel Grace
• Address: 125 W. 45th St. between 6th Ave. and Broadway
• Phone: 212-354-2323
• Getting There: B,D,F,V,7 to 42nd Street
• Pool Type: Indoor pool with swim-up bar and DJs spinning poolside in the evenings
• Cost: $10 plus two-drink minimum
• Overview: The Hotel Grace is a perfect spot for a pool party and hosts monthly Brazilian Night events.
Gravity Fitness Center at Le Parker Meridien
• Address: 119 W. 56th St. near 6th Ave.
• Phone: 212-708-7340
• Getting There: N,R,W Q,F to 57th St.
• Pool Type: Rooftop pool with spectacular views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline
• Cost: $50 day pass is available for pool only. Call for current membership rates.
• Hours: Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Overview: The glass-roofed pool has an outdoor sun deck and food and beverage service. Visit Gravity Fitness Center to purchase a day pass.
Jackie Robinson Recreation Center
• Address: 85 Bradhurst Avenue at 146th St.
• Phone: 212-234-9607
• Getting There: A,B,C,D to 145th St.
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool.
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: Daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Overview: Jackie Robinson also has an Arts and Crafts room, a computer resource room, two playgrounds, a baseball field, and a basketball court.
John Jay Pool and Recreation
• Address: 77th Street and Cherokee Place (east of York Ave.)
• Phone: 212-794-6566
• Getting There: 6 to 77th Street or 4,5 to 86th Street
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool with diving
• Cost: Suggested annual donation of $25 for adults and $10 for teens.
• Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Overview: John Jay is one of the best public pools in Manhattan. A snack bar and playground are nearby.
Lasker Skating Rink/Pool
• Address: In the middle of Central Park near 110th St. and Lenox Ave.
• Phone: 212.534.7639
• Getting There: 6 to 110th Street, enter park and walk westward. By bus, take the M1,M2,M3,M4 to 110th Street.
• Pool Type: Outdoor pool.
• Cost: Absolutely free.
• Hours: From July 1 through Labor day, it's open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Overview: This is one of the city's most popular pools and gets very crowded.
Manhattan Plaza Health Club
• Address: 482 West 43rd Street at 10th Ave.
• Phone: 212-563-7001.
• Getting There: A,C,E to 42nd St.
• Pool Type: Rooftop pool with retractable glass roof.
• Cost:$25 day passes are available (includes use of gym and whirlpool).
• Hours: Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Overview: Four-lane lap pool has a separate alcove for kids. Day pass is half the price of the rooftop pool at the Parker Meridien. The MPHC web site offers a coupon for a $10 day pass (workout and pool).

Go Jump in a Lake

Leaving the pool and trying open water swimming.

Swimming has been a part of my life since the days of eating erasers and teasing girls in elementary school, with the exception of my time in college, during which I was too busy experimenting with the party scene to make my way to a pool for some exercise. Unlike most lifelong swimmers, I never really developed a specialty stroke or event, instead going with what feels best at the time. I’ve been a backstroker, breastroker and butterflier at various junctures, but I never managed to get a feel for freestyle… until recently.

The team with which I currently swim practices in an Olympic-sized pool, so I have gotten the opportunity to workout on a 50-meter course for the majority of the year. The extended laps, coupled with the fact that I have more muscle on my frame than any other point of my life, has helped shape my body for long-distance freestyle. Mind you, I don’t want to be a distance freestyler because it involves more time spent in practice honing endurance skills and swimming the grueling longer events at competitions. I can deny it all I want, but my performance in the open water events (swimming in lakes and oceans) has forced me into accepting this as a new reality.

I love competing in the open water; it’s just that the distance events in the pool are tediously boring, firing off lap after lap (I get enough of that in practice). There is nothing finer than swimming in a cool lake on a hot summer day, and the lack of visual repetition (not the same walls to turn on or the constant black line at the bottom) is a refreshing treat. So far this summer I have competed in ten individual open water swims and I placed within the Top 3 in my age group in all of them. I was also a part of a six-man relay, which swam a 12-mile race across the breathtaking Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border. I can’t argue with these successful results and I will forge ahead with more events outside of the pool in an effort to keep improving.

Those of you who like to swim, but are growing weary of the mundane aspect of lap swimming, I highly recommend looking into entering an open water event. Trying a new environment can reignite your swimming desires, and making the plunge with beautiful landscape all around you is a powerful feeling. But before you head out to the nearest swimming hole without lane lines, try out these practice tips in the pool:

• Out in the open water there are no convenient black lines on the bottom to direct you. Experiment with swimming with your eyes closed for short distances to get s sense of how straight you can or can’t swim without directional help. You might be surprised just how vital the black line is at keeping you on track.

• Sighting is the art of looking up to see where you are going. In open water swims, there are floating markers which map out the course and give you something to focus upon in your efforts to swim straight. In the pool, find a focal point in the distance and practice lifting your head and looking forward every few strokes. You will eventually get into a comfortable rhythm of doing this, and it will prevent you from straying too far off course and landing in trouble (like I did when I found myself in a coral reef during an open water swim in Hawaii).

• Try swimming without touching the walls or the bottom. Instead of doing a flip-turn or touching the wall and pushing off, make a U-turn before the wall and continue swimming. This is a good drill to see how far you can go without interrupting your stroke or taking a quick breather. There are no walls or lane lines to grab onto out in the open water, so it would be wise to get a good feel of continuous swimming.

The open water may sound a bit daunting at first, but with a little practice and a healthy dose of confidence you just might be pleasantly surprise how thrilling it can be. Start off with a short-distance race and gradually build up to the longer stuff once you feel ready to tackle a bigger challenge. And, most of all, remember to have fun!

SwapThing.com is a site focused on building a strong swap community online.
SwapThing
Online barter, swapping

How Solar Pool Covers Save Costs on Energy

One thing that you may have found when you have jumped into your pool is that the water can at times be rather cold and take some getting used to. If the weather is also a little on the cold side it doesn't help the matter either.

One simple solution that many people use is to have a solar pool cover installed. A solar pool cover like any other solar power generating device that has no moving parts is what is defined as a “passive system”. The benefit of a passive solar system is that while they tend to produce less energy the fact that they have no moving parts means that they don't have to be maintained or regulated in any way.

While there are more extensive non passive pool heating systems that are available that have a more dramatic effect on the pools water temperature solar pool covers are easy and inexpensive to have installed and require only minimal occasional maintenance.

Solar pool covers work in two ways, first by preventing the pool water from cooling through evaporation and secondly by attracting the suns energy and subsequently passing it on below to the pool water.

Naturally they work best on a hot sunny day but they will work to hold in the waters heat on into the evenings as well. Solar pool covers also come in varying price ranges, with the most expensive being automated solar pool covers that retract with the push of a button.

The least expensive type are manually operated solar pool covers that have to be pulled or rolled back by hand. Either way they do make a noticeable difference in the waters temperature and even on less that optimal sun days they will take the edge off of pool water that would otherwise be unbearably cold.

Pool covers in general do help to keep unwanted debris from entering a pool and with a solar powered pool cover you get the added benefit of warmer water also.
Written by Trey Fuud. Find the latest information on Solar pool covers as well as Automatic pool cleaners

How to Use a Solar Pool Cover

A Solar pool cover is a very cost effective way to heat your pool this summer. Solar swimming pool covers look like a blue blanket over the pool that resembles bubble wrap on the bottom side. Solar pool covers are also great because they help keep your pool cleaner because less debris will get into the water. Your solar pool cover will also prevent water evaporation, especially if it is covering the pool during the heat of the day.

Step 1

Purchase the correct size solar pool cover for your swimming pool. You may need to trim some of it for a proper fit. At the same time, purchase a solar cover reel either one that can be hand cranked or automatic.
Step 2

Place your solar pool cover on a big roll (solar pool cover reel) at one end of your pool, preferably the back end/deep end of the pool). Install the solar pool cover roll onto the reel, and make sure that you put it on in a way so that when you unroll it, the bubble side is facing down against the water.
Step 3

Have two people (works best with a big pool) work together to pull the solar cover over the pool. Have one person each grab a corner of the pool cover and pull as you walk to the other end of the pool. This will unroll the solar pool cover over the water.
Step 4

Leave the solar pool cover on the pool for the first few days so it can heat up the pool with the light and heat from the sun. This will heat up your pool so much faster, right in time for your first of the year summer pool party! If you are planning on swimming in the afternoon, just leave the solar swimming pool cover on all day until right before you use it to keep and generate as much heat in the pool as possible.
Step 5

When you want to use the swimming pool, simply use the handle on the roll to roll up the solar swimming pool cover. You might need to pull on it occasionally with your free hand to keep it aligned so it rolls onto the roll evenly. If this sounds like too much work, then purchase an automatic solar swimming pool cover roll.
Step 6

When you are done with the pool for the day promptly place the solar cover over the pool again.
Step 7

Do not allow people or animals to jump into the pool while the solar cover is on. It can be dangerous as well as tear up the solar cover. Once the solar cover gets torn up, it does not work nearly as well and will need to be replaced. We had 2 stray dogs jump in our pool one night and luckily we were home and heard them because they were tangled up in the solar pool cover and would have drowned. Thankfully we were able to get them out. The pool cover was shredded after that and had to be replace. Take care of your pool cover because as with all pool supplies, it's not cheap, but it well worth the investment because it will extend the amount of time you can use your pool each summer.

Keep Your Pool in Tip Top Condition all Year Around

It's great to have a pool but to keep it in tip top condition means regular maintenance. This article covers the main items that you will need to adress to have a crystal clear pool year round!
Pool Supplies

Taking care of your pool is vital, not just to keep it looking good, but also to make sure it's safe to swim in. To do that, you'll need a variety of pool supplies. You can choose from sticking with the absolute bare minimum for pool maintenance, right through a high-level maintenance system. Either way, there are a wide variety of products to suit. You can even add in some extras such as a pool cover, ladder or slide.

The main priority is to keep the pool clean. The first step is to focus on the pool water. Generally, something like chlorine, which acts as an oxidizer and sanitizer, is more than sufficient. It keeps the water clean by burning up any organic material that's present, and this also helps to reduce the load for the pool filters. You also need to keep an eye on the pH balance of the water, as well as a level of alkalinity. A basic water testing kits can do this for you. It's also worth looking for calcium hardness and stability. If you find a problem using a testing kit, you can fix it immediately.

Swimming pools have interior walls and floors, and over time these will get dirty and slimy if you don't keep them clean. It's possible to buy a manual swimming pool vacuum system, which will do a perfectly good job as long as you're willing to put in the time to clean the pool. Nowadays, however, it makes sense to invest in an automatic pool cleaner, as they've become a great deal more affordable. Plus it means you can spend your leisure hours enjoying the pool, rather than vacuuming it!

Choosing the right pump for your pool is important, because if it's the wrong size, you'll either waste a lot of energy or it won't work properly. Generally, you should choose a pump capable of pumping the entire capacity of your swimming pool in about eight hours. You also need to choose a filtration system. The three main types are sand, cartridge and D.E. Talk to a swimming pool expert to find out more about the pros and cons of each one, or else get online and do your research there so that you can decide which one is right for you.

Most people want to heat their pool, so some extra pool supplies will be needed for that to happen. Pool heaters have become a lot more energy efficient, dependable and durable over the years. They've even become more high-tech, with some including advanced features like a freeze protector or an integrated timer.

A pool cover isn't an essential, but it's still a good idea. Even if you only use it in winter, it can be worthwhile. That's particularly the case if small children can gain access to the pool. If that's likely to happen, you should probably choose a pool cover that's quick and easy to put in place at any time.

When you first install a pool, it can feel you're spending a lot of money on pool supplies to get started. The good news is that things get much cheaper once you settle into a pattern of ongoing maintenance. If you choose wisely, however, your pool supplies will last a long time and give you a clean pool to enjoy for many years to come.

Steve Dolan is a pool owner who does all of his own maintenance. Click on Pool Maintenance and Pool Supplies for more detials and articles on swimming pools.
By Steve Dolan

Pool Party Decorations

Pool parties are a glam sham way of celebrating anything. Be it a birthday, wedding rehearsal, baby shower or the Oscars, pool parties are the way to go! Nonetheless, depending on the nature of the party there are certain types of pool party decorations, that you can have. Check out the article below for some really cool ideas for decoration of pool parties!
Remember the episode of Sex and The City where Samantha (played by Kim Cattrall) throws a gorgeous pool party at the Hampton's? It was just amazing. One of my friends recently decided to throw a pool party herself (inspired by Samantha, of course), once her brand new swimming pool was ready to use. Hence, we started brainstorming about the decoration aspect. Here are our findings.

Pool Party Decorations Type 1 - Kids Pool Party Decorations
This one is first in the list, as the pool party that we were planning was for her (my friend's) 5 year old. Pool parties for kids can be a messy affair. At such parties the decoration has to be of a simple and protective nature. For example, knowing that seldom do kids stay out of the pool, keep a lot of colorful floaters in the pool. You could keep two floaters per child. The lounge chairs on the pool deck can also be colorful. Select bright colors like blue, red, green, yellow and purple. They add a cheerful and childlike ambience to the party. You can have a lot of balloons around. You can also have cute balloon animals all around, using some balloon twisting instructions.

Pool Party Decorations Type 2 - Game Time Decorations
Pool Volley Ball is a popular game. So why not add it to the party. You can add a net, mid way in your pool and throw a few balls in there. Let the people enjoy. You can have other games like, table tennis and ice hockey on the deck as well. You could have colorful posters around the pool. This kind of a decoration will be appropriate for young adults and adults. Children attending such a party can have fun splashing water around in the kiddy pool!

Pool Party Decorations Type 3 - Hampton Style Decorations
Since I have already mentioned Samantha's Party in the beginning of the article, it would be cruel to ignore it here. You could have a Hampton style pool party with the white chic deck and lounge chairs. You could have floral decoration and a champagne fountain. At such a pool party, I doubt anyone would be entering the pool, but just in case someone does, you could have white linen towels set on each lounge chair, easy access, right? Such a party is a very upscale affair, so, your hired help also add to the general décor of the party, make sure that they are dressed appropriately, as well.

Pool Party Decorations Type 4 - Hawaiian Style Decorations
This is my personal favorite type. You can keep a Hawaiian dress code and serve the drinks in coconut shells. Make a hay - shed type roof for the pool and keep a lot of palms around it. Linens can have leafy or floral prints. The lounge chairs can be brown or green in color. Most importantly, you need to have Hawaiian music playing in the background. 'You could also have Hawaiian Dancers and garlands for the guests. Sounds good to you?

Most important of all, no matter what the occasion or party idea, the host needs to, at all points of time, be very conscious of the safety of the guests. Often in a party mood people do forget the importance of safety, but being the host, you need to be absolutely certain that you have a trained lifeguard around. He doesn't really need to be guarding the pool at all times, nonetheless, in case of an emergency, he needs to be close by.

So this is where I sign off! Have a blast, I mean, 'splash' at your super cool pool party!!

Requirements for Using Pool Covers at Public Pools

Floating Pool Covers
The pool must be segregated from all dwelling units by an approved fence or enclosure. Floating pool covers are not permitted at courtyard pools or in other situations where there is no fence or enclosure between the living units and the pool.
The pool must be under the supervision of management personnel or other responsible person(s) who has sole access to the pool area when it is not open for use. The pool area must be locked to prevent any usage of the pool when the cover is in place. The pool may not be re-opened for use until the pool cover has been removed from the pool and properly stored by the responsible party.
The pool cover, when not in use, must be completely removed, rolled up, and stored at least four feet away from the pool. In the case of spa pools, the cover must be physically removed from the immediate premises to prevent bathers from re-covering the spa pool.
The pool cover must meet current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) labeling requirements.
Safety Covers
The pool cover must meet current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) requirements for safety covers.
The cover must be installed and used according to manufacturers instructions.
Provisions must be made for the stair handrail and deep end ladder so that they are retractable when the cover is in place.
Requirements for specific types of safety covers:
Stretch Covers
Tie down anchors must be designed so that they are fully recessed into the deck and not a tripping hazard.
The pool must be under the supervision of management personnel or other responsible person(s) who has sole access to the pool area when it is not open for use. The responsible party must remove and store the pool cover before opening the pool for use.
On Deck Unit with on Deck Track
All retracting mechanisms and their associated housing, must be located a minimum of 4 feet back from the pool edge.
Tracks located on the deck surface must be designed to be trip-resistant and not exceed a height of 5/8 inch. The track must be of contrasting color to the deck surface. The track must be installed far enough away from the coping so as not to interfere with the handhold of the coping. Screws used to secure the track to the deck must be countersunk.
The activating switch must be installed so that the operator has a clear view of the entire pool surface.
The activating switch must be a "dead man" type switch where the cover will stop once the key is released.
The mechanism must be designed so that the cover will return to the open position if it encounters an obstruction while closing.
Provisions must be made to insure that only responsible parties have keys to operate the pool cover mechanism. Children should not be allowed to operate the pool cover mechanism.
Sub-surface unit with under coping track
The cover must completely retract into the housing unit.
When the cover is retracted, the housing cover must be completely flush with the pool deck and form a handhold which extends 1 to 2 inches over the edge of the pool and not exceed 2½ inches in thickness.
The track located under the coping must be designed and installed so that the total thickness of the coping does not exceed 2½ inches.
The sub-surface housing compartment must drain to an approved disposal system through an air gap. It must not be directly connected to any sewer or deck drain system.
The activating switch must be installed so that the operator has a clear view of the entire pool surface.
The activating switch must be a "dead man" type switch where the cover will stop once the key is released.
The mechanism must be designed so that the cover will return to the open position if it encounters a obstruction while closing.
Provisions must be made to insure that only responsible parties have keys to operate the pool cover mechanism. Children should not be allowed to operate the pool cover mechanism.
Canopy Type
Columns and all supporting mechanisms for the canopy must be located at least 4 feet back from the pool edge when the cover is retracted.
The activating switch must be installed so that the operator has a clear view of the entire pool surface.
The activating switch must be a "dead man" type switch where the cover will stop once the key is released.
The mechanism must be designed so that the cover will return to the open position if it encounters a obstruction while closing.
Provisions must be made to insure that only responsible parties have keys to operate the pool cover mechanism. Children should not be allowed to operate the
pool cover mechanism.

Research The Swimming Pool Before Making The Big Purchase

A swimming pool can provide a lot of pleasure for the whole family, although you should make safety your first priority. The cost of installing a new in-ground swimming pool is going to vary widely. A family swimming pool can be a great addition to any household a gathering place for friends and family, for relaxation, for exercise, parties and more. Although a swimming pool can be fun, it can also be especially dangerous if you have kids present.

If you own a swimming pool, you should always do your part and help protect those you love. Teaching kids about safety can never come too early, as it will go a long way to protect them each and every day of their lives. Whether you have an above ground or below ground swimming pool, you must make sure that safety is imposed. Pool covers are also one such safety component. Overall, safety must be given first priority while purchasing a pool cover.

Warmer environments only require simple plastic swimming pool covers just to keep the pool clean and protected from airborne dust, dirt, and leaves when not in use. The choice of the type of swimming pool cover is determined by what the particular necessities are. You should always have a pool cover, and use it on your pool when you aren't swimming. You will use the plastic cover to seal the pool for the winter and to protect the pool from the harsh elements such as wind, ice and debris. To protect your children make sure you have a cover on the pool, a simple plastic cover will help protect your children from taking a dive. When choosing a cover make sure that it can withstand falling debris. There are semi-automatic pool covers that run via a motor and they slide on parallel tracks along the pool, some of these device require you open it manually

To make the pool safe make sure you install a fence around the pool and make sure the fence is at least 3-4 feet high. The fence needs to be completely separate from the pools and house and must wrap around the pool. Less than 4 inches is an ideal width. If you do not posses a fence around your pool you should get one right away. Having a fence is an excellent method to protect your pool from children. The child safety pool fence is growing in popularity with more and more people recognizing how effective it is for preventing the risks of drowning. It was in fact noted by several reviews that the child safety pool fence is by far the most practical and effective barrier against pool drowning.

The purpose of chlorine is to chemically destroy complex organic contaminants introduced into a pool by swimmers and the environment. Potential buyers are about evenly divided on whether a pool is a good or bad thing in any given property. When researching pools make sure you do the proper research, in ground pools are permanent and above ground pools you can remove. Contrary to popular thought, winter, not spring or summer is the right time to get a pool dug up, as the ground is not soggy. Whether you want an in ground pool or above ground is a matter of personal choice.

No pool alarm is fail-safe no matter how many technologies and features are included and no matter what claims are made by the manufacturer. The infrared motion detector helps to detect anyone going near the pool.
David Marc Fishman sells merchandise inexpensively using online auctions. Price drop as people shop when buying swimming pool covers at the auction site at Priceriot.

Solar Pool Covers - They Pay For Themselves

Swimming pool solar covers do a great job of catching falling debris before it ends up in the pool so you can easily wipe it off, ...
If you would like to learn more about solar pool covers then this is the perfect article for you. We will discuss how the covers are designed to absorb the maximum amount of solar energy, how you actually create less work for yourself by using a cover, and how using the cover will save you money on your heating bill. After reading this article, you will be able to make an informed decision when you start looking for solar pool covers.
Solar covers are tinted blue and equipped with pockets of air so that they can absorb the maximum amount of sunlight for your pool. If your pool gets at least 5 hours of sunlight a day then using a cover will help keep it warm. In fact, using a solar pool cover will heat your pool water by about 1 degree each day. However, once your pool has gone up about 8 degrees the solar blankets effectiveness has reached its limit. Next let us discuss how using a solar cover will save you cleaning time.
Using a cover will create less work for you and also save you money at the same time. Using a cover will eliminate the need to use as much harsh chemicals in your pool because debris and algae do not form as easily when a cover is present. Swimming pool solar covers do a great job of catching falling debris before it ends up in the pool so you can easily wipe it off, it's a lot easier than trying to fish it out of the pool. Let us now look at how using a solar pool cover will save you even more money.
A solar cover, being a passive and uncomplicated system, will save you money on you heating or gas bill. However, you must again keep in mind that the cover can only raise the pool temperature by around 7 or 8 degrees. If you need to raise the pool temperate more than that then you will need to invest in a solar pool heating solution to compliment your solar pool cover for maximum effectiveness.
As you can see, a solar blanket is a very worthwhile expense because it will pay for itself in heating cost savings. We talked about how pool covers are designed to absorb the maximum amount of solar radiation, how using a cover will save you time and money on cleaning, and how using a cover will also save you money on your heating bill. Now that you have this information, it is time to start looking for a solar blanket today.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about solar pool covers. If you would like more information on solar pool covers then this article will benefit you.

Solar Pool Covers and Reels for In-Ground Pools

With today's concerns about the economy and the environment, the use of solar power to heat in-ground swimming pools is becoming increasingly popular among pool owners. However, while many people may wish to use the sun to heat their pool, they may not want to expend the time and money required to replace their entire heating system. In such circumstances, solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools provide an excellent compromise. In-ground solar pool covers use heat from the sun to increase and maintain a pool's temperature, allowing pool owners to enjoy significantly reduced heating costs as well as several other benefits.
In-ground solar pool covers appear similar to bubble wrap in that they feature thousands of tiny air pockets. However, these covers are constructed from far more durable and specialized material than bubble wrap. The tiny air pockets on solar pool covers magnify the effects of the sun's heat on the water and also serve as insulators. Some in-ground solar pool covers feature a special silver bottom layer which reflects sunlight back into the swimming pool and works together with the clear top layer to maximize the cover's heating effects. Certain brands of solar pool blankets also utilize a unique hexagon design of the air pockets which minimizes the space between the bubbles, thereby further enhancing the cover's heat retention and transference capabilities.
The design of the best available solar pool covers for in-ground swimming pools not only incorporates advanced technology but remarkable durability as well. Constructed from tough resins with UV stabilization, these covers are built to last and to provide solar heating year after year. In addition, high-quality solar blankets feature reinforced, flat-lying seams that will resist wear and tear and withstand repeated folding for many years of use. Since these covers are available in a variety of different thicknesses, it's also possible to have the benefit of further enhanced durability as thicker covers offer greater strength and toughness.
Since pool covers can be quite large and cumbersome, especially for just one person, the easiest way to deal with them is by attaching them to in-ground solar pool reels. There are several different types of in-ground solar pool reels available including manual reels, electronic reels and water-powered reels. Water-powered pool reels attach to a standard garden hose and feature water-driven pistons that will automatically reel your solar cover in or out. Many in-ground solar pool reels are on wheels and can easily be moved out of the way whenever necessary. All types of these pool reels allow pool owners to use and handle in-ground solar pool covers easily and conveniently.
Solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools provide a long list of benefits and advantages. Perhaps most notably, in-ground solar pool covers help to raise and maintain water temperatures. In fact, using a solar pool blanket can raise the temperature of your pool up to 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, by preventing heat from escaping your swimming pool at night or whenever it's not in use, solar covers can keep your pool warm while reducing your heating costs by up to 70 per cent. At the same time, you will also be helping the environment by relying more on the sun's energy and less on non-renewable energy sources.
Using solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools also makes it easy to prevent water and chemical evaporation. By significantly lowering the amount of chemicals lost through evaporation, you will be able to save money on chemical costs and will have to spend less time balancing your pool's chemical levels. Another great advantage of using solar pool covers is the fact that they prevent leaves and other debris from getting into the swimming pool. When a pool cover keeps your water cleaner, you won't need to spend nearly as much time and effort vacuuming and skimming your pool before you swim.
With so many great advantages to be enjoyed, pool owners will be happy to know that solar pool covers and reels for in-ground swimming pools can be used with pools of all different shapes and sizes. Solar pool covers are available in a wide variety of sizes and many can be easily cut to fit the shape of any pool. Whether you have a kidney shaped in-ground pool or an unusual, custom shaped pool, you can still take advantage of the many benefits of solar pool blankets. Best of all, in-ground solar pool reels and covers provide an excellent and very economical way for pool owners with many different budgets to invest in solar power.

Solar Pool Covers, Solar Blankets, & Reels

Above Ground and In Ground Swimming Pools
A Solar Pool Cover is the least expensive kind of swimming pool cover. They are also called solar blankets. Solar Pool Covers or Blankets resemble giant sheets of bubble wrap. The bubbles trap heat from the sun and transmit the heat to the pool, keeping the water temperature warm and inviting. The solar cover also helps to trap the heat of the water and prevents its escape into the cool night time air.
Solar covers float freely on top of a pool without tie-downs or anchors to hold them in place; therefore, removing a solar cover is easy, just pull it off and store it. This job can be a bit sloppy - imagine folding a giant wet blanket by yourself - but recruiting a helper or the aid of a solar pool cover reel makes the task much easier. Solar covers are usually folded and stored or rolled-up on a large reel and wheeled out of the way.
Solar Blankets are ideal for use in sunny climates because the more heat they can gather, the longer they can extend the swim season. Solar pool covers can raise water temperature by as much as 10-15 degrees. It is important to remember that, although any cover will reduce some of the debris that enters a pool, solar pool covers are not designed specifically for cleanliness, nor are they considered safety covers. Solar pool covers must be completely removed from the pool before swimmers enter the water.
Solar Pool Covers work equally as well on both Above Ground and In Ground Swimming Pools.

Solar Pool Heater Installations

The exact method used to install a solar pool heater depend on several factors.
Such a contractor can help you look for the right system for your heating needs. Some contractors use special software to determine the right size for your solar collectors. That helps to ensure you get the best solar pool heating system
for your purposes.
Once you have your solar pool heater installed, it needs to be maintained, in order for it to run smoothly (usually it can run for up to twenty years). The owner's manual will contain guidance on how to maintain your system. But, to save you the trouble, you can get the contractor to do it for you as well. Be sure to ask the contractor about the possibilities are.
Your solar collector will require less maintenance, if the pool's chemical balance, and its filtration system, is inspected regularly. Proper usage of the pool will make the maintenance work a lot easier.
If you have glazed solar collector (as described in the last post), it should be cleaned regularly - especially if the climate is dry and there is no rainwater to wash away dirt-buildup. Once dirt covers your glazed collector, its efficiency will be decreased.
While you're still looking for contractors, be sure to ask them about their company's experience in installing and maintaining solar pool heaters. The company you choose must have proper experience in handling the system you want, and maintaining it after installation. Don't fall for contractors that offer cheap services, without doing proper research. You can ask around in your neighborhood and inquire about what contractor others have used.
In this business, the more experience the company has, the better. Also be sure to check their credentials. Some states require the contractor to have solar contractor as well as plumber
licenses. Inquire with the state's contractor licensing board with regards to the validity of the license. They can also tell you if there have been any complaints against a certain contractor within the state. In this way you can avoid fly-by-night types, and stick with those who run reputable businesses.
Once you've chosen a contractor to do the job, all you need to do is to order and pay for your solar pool heating kit. The contractor can help you choose the right system for your pool. This is one reason why you should get a competent contractor for the job.
Anna is a webmaster and a blogger who educates others on solar energy uses and cleaner living styles. You can find more information on solar pool heating systems on her blog, at Solar Pool Heating .

Solar Swimming Pool Heaters

Solar pool heaters are perhaps the most cost effective way of heating your pool over the long term. While installing solar pool heaters can come with higher initial costs than conventional heaters, the energy savings over the life of your pool make them by far the cheapest pool heating system available.

Many pool owners living in northern regions where winters are much longer may be concerned that solar pool heaters may not be effective. In fact, solar heating is an excellent option regardless of the geographical region or climate that you live in because the earth’s entire surface is exposed to sunlight.

Why Choose Solar Pool Heaters?

There are many good reasons to choose solar heating for your pool. First of all, solar energy is the most cost efficient energy source available to consumers today. As the price of natural gas and electricity continues to rise steadily, pool owners can attest to the great expense they face when heating their pools. In fact, some estimates show that solar heating can cost as much as a fifth of conventional heating systems and once your solar heating system is installed you will no longer be faced with expensive heating bills. So, solar pool heating options are not only very effective but also very cheap.

In addition to the energy savings, installing solar pool heating allows your family to extend their swimming season beyond the summer months. Indeed, when combined with a solar pool cover, a solar pool heater can extend the swimming season by as much as two months. Plus, solar pool heaters tend to be very durable and require much less maintenance than conventional heating systems. Solar pool heaters tend to last much longer than gas or electric heaters and can be expected to last for as many as 10 years. While typical warranties for gas or electric heaters are only about 2 years, solar panels usually come with a 10 year warranty and typically survive for as many as 20 years. In addition to durability, the low maintenance of solar pool heaters means lesser costs for service technicians.

Perhaps the best reason to invest in solar pool heaters is their minimal effect on the environment. In fact, the sun’s energy is completely renewable meaning that you can be confident that you are not wasting our earth’s precious resources. With modern concern about global warming and its damaging effects on the environment, many families are choosing solar pool heaters in order to minimize the amount of fossil fuels they are burning. Burning fuels means an increase in nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide released into our air which leads to serious problems such as smog and the depletion of the ozone layer. Many pool owners are not aware that the fuel used in heating their pool year round is similar to the amount of fuel used driving a car for a year. Clearly, solar pool heaters are a modern and environmentally sound alternative to traditional electric and gas heaters.

Breaking Down the Cost of Solar Pool Heaters

When shopping for pool heaters, many consumers are often deterred by the expense of installing solar pool heaters. For the most part, solar pool heaters are considerably more expensive than installing a gas heater but actually cheaper than installing a heat pump. However, once the installation costs have been met, the energy you receive to heat your pool from a solar pool heater is absolutely free. At current energy costs, the total cost of installing and running a solar pool heater would be less than $6000 over 15 years while a natural gas heater would cost as much as $20 000 and a heat pump as much as $14 000 over the same time frame. Imagine what you could do with the extra money!!

Factors to Consider with Solar Pool Heaters

Just as you would expect from gas or electric heaters, there are several factors that you need to consider before purchasing a solar pool heating system. First of all, the size of your pool is an important variable. Larger pools will obviously require more energy for heating meaning you would need more solar panels for a larger pool. In addition, the logistics of installing solar panels needs to be considered. Do you have space to install heaters? Many smaller houses may not have enough room on the roof for solar panels and you will typically need about half the space of your pool for solar panels. Heat loss should also be carefully thought through and the investment in a solar pool cover is highly recommended. Most heat loss from a pool occurs because of wind or cooler air over the surface of the pool. A solar pool cover reduces heat loss making the entire heating system much more efficient.
Elizabeth Poolton provides useful information about solar pool heaters and other pool supplies. She explains how solar pool heaters harness the sun’s energy to heat your pool thereby lengthening the swimming season, reducing heating costs, and saving the environment.

Swimming Pools Should Be a Policy Battleground

If the government wants to persuade us that it understands quality-of-life issues, then sport is a good place to start.

This is the season of fresh resolutions, many of them adopted to deal with bulging waistlines and that non-specific blobby feeling you may recognize after the Christmas break. Like many women I will be soon ploughing up and down a swimming pool. Like many parents I will also be watching children swim - my daughters in fact. Swimming is the single most popular sport for girls and the second most popular for boys.

It is also a good test case for the government’s wider commitment to sport. Sport has always been a second-order political issue, perhaps even third-order. It is the national obsession, we are told, gripping for spectators and players, but hardly something to swing elections. New Labour famously made much of its laddish addiction to football. Its modernizing men have been gym-using, marathon-training urbanites. And yet all that was somehow outside "serious" politics - sport has been "Look, I’m human too" downtime. This may be about to change. Why? Because of another Labour success, the one that made the prime minister do a jig of genuine delight and surprise just before he heard of the London bombings - London’s Olympic bid success.

Throughout this parliament, there will be a steadily building hubbub of interest in major construction projects, national plans for this or that sport. Parents and coaches will be hissing to kids at gyms or running tracks that they could be good enough to make it in 2012. There’s enough of a focus to make the politics of sport almost sexy. And if Labour wants to persuade us in a fourth election that it understands the all-important quality of life issues, sport is a good place to start.

And, Olympics bid aside, the picture is mixed. Richard Caborn has done his best to reverse such national disgraces as the selling-off of school and community sports fields, yet the picture is still pretty terrible. In 1994, the last time a survey was done, England had nearly 78,000 such pitches. Since then we have lost 34,000. In a crowded, urban and increasingly obese country, that is shameful. The law has been changed to make the sale of school playing fields a bit harder, but the price and shortage of land remain powerful incentives for schools to sell them off.

An even sharper measurement, however, may be swimming. More than 12 million swim regularly. Unlike football, which is hugely commercialized, this sport depends on public subsidy. Swimming pools are expensive to build and maintain and, since the Victorians and Edwardians, have been prime examples of local authority beneficence.

Many, in the centers of the old industrial cities, are now crumbling and squalid. Many are faced with closure; campaigns to keep local pools open have been up and swimming hard from Shrewsbury to Ipswich, from Plymouth to Kentish Town. Crystal Palace, meant to be a national centre for English swimming, is a dingy and vile-smelling disgrace. England has just 16 50-metre pools open to the public and only two are in London, where, admittedly, there are plans for another six, including at the Olympic centre in Stratford.

There seems to be plenty of private money for expensive fitness clubs for the well-off and single but only public funding can provide the pools used by women and families. Yet swimming is not a statutory responsibility of cash-strapped local authorities and too often, as in Hackney, where new combined sports centers have been built to replace the old swimming pools, they have been construction disasters.

The former sports minister Kate Hoey said recently that "all the fine words about tackling obesity and the fitness of the nation proclaimed by politicians are worthless if not translated into resources to keep our swimming pools". She’s absolutely right; those who don’t swim might like to imagine how they would feel if only local authorities operated football stadiums and, all round the country, they were being closed down.

It isn’t only swimming. Over the Christmas break, many tens of thousands of people must have experienced the increasingly rare pleasure of ice-skating. Temporary rinks have flowered all round London, as well as in and in other cities. There are just over 60 permanent facilities in Britain, but that is only one for every million potential users - and large areas have none at all. There is a single rink in the West Country and nothing in East Anglia.

So what am I saying? Not that the government does not care about sport, or has done nothing at all. There are endless bodies and meetings, position papers and Olympics-related appointments. Winning the 2012 games certainly matters. Britain will either be praised around the world as having triumphantly produced a successful games or else our notorious weakness in capital projects and our crumbling transport infrastructure will be embarrassingly revealed. The stakes are too high for any government to let London fail, so London will undoubtedly benefit.

The real questions are: who in London will benefit, and what about the rest of the country? Having the Olympics is probably a great thing, but not if it is at the expense of decent sporting facilities for millions of people round the country. The health of the many, as Labour would put it, should trump the effervescent celebration of the few.

Swimming is important of itself, but it is also a good political symbol. It is a hugely popular but inevitably public-sector activity, which almost everyone can enjoy. If the public good means anything these days, when libraries are being eroded by Google and Amazon, then public swimming pools should be a policy battleground which, if not up there with schools and hospitals, is bobbing below them.

The cliché of the hour is that Labour is scared of David Cameron and squabbling about its agenda. A crusade to make Britain proud of its public sports facilities should be part of the answer. In all the welter of resolutions, I can’t think of a better one for blobby ministers.
By Jackie Ashley

How to Use a Solar Pool Cover

A Solar pool cover is a very cost effective way to heat your pool this summer. Solar swimming pool covers look like a blue blanket over the pool that resembles bubble wrap on the bottom side. Solar pool covers are also great because they help keep your pool cleaner because less debris will get into the water. Your solar pool cover will also prevent water evaporation, especially if it is covering the pool during the heat of the day.

Step 1

Purchase the correct size solar pool cover for your swimming pool. You may need to trim some of it for a proper fit. At the same time, purchase a solar cover reel either one that can be hand cranked or automatic.
Step 2

Place your solar pool cover on a big roll (solar pool cover reel) at one end of your pool, preferably the back end/deep end of the pool). Install the solar pool cover roll onto the reel, and make sure that you put it on in a way so that when you unroll it, the bubble side is facing down against the water.
Step 3

Have two people (works best with a big pool) work together to pull the solar cover over the pool. Have one person each grab a corner of the pool cover and pull as you walk to the other end of the pool. This will unroll the solar pool cover over the water.
Step 4

Leave the solar pool cover on the pool for the first few days so it can heat up the pool with the light and heat from the sun. This will heat up your pool so much faster, right in time for your first of the year summer pool party! If you are planning on swimming in the afternoon, just leave the solar swimming pool cover on all day until right before you use it to keep and generate as much heat in the pool as possible.
Step 5

When you want to use the swimming pool, simply use the handle on the roll to roll up the solar swimming pool cover. You might need to pull on it occasionally with your free hand to keep it aligned so it rolls onto the roll evenly. If this sounds like too much work, then purchase an automatic solar swimming pool cover roll.
Step 6

When you are done with the pool for the day promptly place the solar cover over the pool again.
Step 7

Do not allow people or animals to jump into the pool while the solar cover is on. It can be dangerous as well as tear up the solar cover. Once the solar cover gets torn up, it does not work nearly as well and will need to be replaced. We had 2 stray dogs jump in our pool one night and luckily we were home and heard them because they were tangled up in the solar pool cover and would have drowned. Thankfully we were able to get them out. The pool cover was shredded after that and had to be replace. Take care of your pool cover because as with all pool supplies, it's not cheap, but it well worth the investment because it will extend the amount of time you can use your pool each summer.