Cooler weather is coming in October, and this is the time when many pool owners wonder if there’s a cost-effective way to extend the season and keep the water a little warmer. The hard fact is that a pool doesn’t lose most of its heat to a cool fall or winter air temperature. The big heat drain is evaporation, making pool covers for heat retention the best way to extend the swim season and keep utility bills down.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best pool cover options and how they stack up on performance, safety, and maintenance for Minnesota winters.

What Do Pool Covers Do?

Using a pool cover is the fastest way to achieve energy efficient pool heating, since less heat is wasted to evaporation and wind.

Evaporation: The Biggest Thief of Heat Loss

In pools, up to 70% of heat loss occurs through evaporation and not through contact with cool air. When water evaporates, it takes energy from the water’s surface heat in the same way that sweat cools your skin. Because the majority of pool heat loss evaporation happens at night, covering your pool after sundown delivers the biggest benefit to reduce pool evaporation.

Plain-Language Savings Example

If your pool loses an inch of water to evaporation per week, that’s a lot of water and a lot of make-up heat. A pool cover can reduce pool evaporation by 90-95%, helping you save hundreds on utility bills every season while also protecting your investment.

Comparing the Types of Pool Covers

Solar (Bubble) Pool Covers

• Advantages: Inexpensive. Raises pool temperature 5-10°F. Superior heat retention.
• Disadvantages: Must be removed and stored daily. Bulky if no pool cover reel is used.
• Best for: Pool owners seeking an affordable option to maximize heat preservation and retention.

Liquid Solar Covers

• Advantages: Liquid you pour in the pool that forms a thin, invisible film. Super easy and no reels.
• Disadvantages: Not ideal for colder or windy climates.
• Best for: Pool owners with occasional use/no space for reels.

Safety Pool Covers (Mesh, Solid, Hybrid)

Mesh Pool Cover

• Advantages: Permits water to drain through. Light and easy to store.
• Disadvantages: Fine debris can enter, and algae can grow if light can penetrate through the mesh.
• Best for: Homeowners in leafy areas who want a lighter cover that can handle snow load without requiring a pump.

Solid Pool Cover

• Advantages: Blocks all light from reaching the pool, eliminating algae growth.
• Disadvantages: Must use a pool cover pump to remove standing water on top of the cover.
• Best for: Those who want to keep all debris and sunlight from entering the pool to prevent algae growth during the long winter months.

Hybrid Pool Cover

• Advantages: Lightweight and algae-blocking.
• Disadvantages: Heavier than mesh and usually more expensive.
• Best for: Families with kids where safety and seasonal debris control are top priorities.

Automatic Pool Covers

• Advantages: Open and close operation from a wall-mounted switch. Daily use option and better for year-round use.
• Disadvantages: High pool cover cost, requires maintenance, and professional installation is needed.
• Best for: Year-round convenience, families with small children, and energy-savvy pool owners.

Safety and ASTM Standards

ASTM F1346 Compliance

All safety covers should have an ASTM F1346 compliance rating to pass standards set by the American Society of Testing and Materials. For families, ASTM F1346 safety certification is non-negotiable, since it ensures the cover can withstand weight and meet barrier standards.

Walking-on-Cover Myths

Not all pool covers are safe to walk on. Only ASTM-rated safety covers are built to withstand the weight of a person. Solar blankets, liquid covers, and automatic covers are NOT safe walk-on surfaces. Even with a cover in place, it’s essential to practice child safety around pools by using barriers, alarms, and supervision.

Minnesota Climate Considerations

If you’re budgeting for pool covers as part of pool ownership, it helps to understand how much a pool costs in Minnesota.

Snow Load Pool Covers

A winter pool cover in Minnesota must withstand heavy snow buildup. A mesh or hybrid safety cover is best to avoid collapse.

• Leaf Net for Pools: A leaf net placed over the top of your pool cover in autumn can pay for itself in the time you save during spring clean-up.
• Freeze-Thaw: After repeated freeze/thaw cycles, cheap covers can crack or have stitching come undone. UV resistance and reinforced stitching are important, especially in sunny areas of the state.

Sizing and Installation Basics

Measuring Your Pool

• Rectangular pools: Measure the length and width and add overlap for surface area.
• Freeform pools: For the most accurate measurements, contact us for templates or use our professional services.

If your pool has special requirements for coping, ladders, or rails, ensure your pool cover is fitted to pool anchors which have pre-determined spacing and placement requirements.

Installation Options

• DIY: Solar blankets are easy to use and can be cut to the desired size by the homeowner.
• Professional: Safety and automatic covers require more expertise to accurately drill anchor holes, align tracks, and mount reels/drives.

Tracer Pool & Landscape can assist with sizing, hardware selection, and installation services.

Heat Pump and Cover Efficiency

Pairing a heat pump with cover protection allows the heater to cycle less often while still maintaining comfortable water temperatures. This results in lower monthly energy bills, prolonged heat pump lifespan, and quicker payback on your pool equipment.

Quick Savings Math

• Evaporation reduction: 90% less heat loss.
• Heater runtime reduction: 30-50%.
• Water savings: Thousands of gallons a year.
• ROI: $200 solar blanket can pay for itself in one season; automatic covers can take 3-5 years to see a return, but they add the ultimate in convenience.

Maintenance Calendar

• Solar Pool Cover: Remove debris, fold/roll onto cover reel, and store out of the sun to avoid UV damage.
• Safety Covers: Inspect strap tension and anchors every 6-12 months. Check for fraying.
• Solid Covers: Run a pool cover pump to avoid water accumulation.
• All Covers: Store dry when not in use, inspect all hardware yearly, and replace worn springs and buckles.

With a little care, many years of useful life can be added to a pool cover lifespan. Also, always check that your pool cover is made from UV resistant cover material, since constant sun exposure quickly breaks down cheaper fabrics.

Indoor Pools

Indoor pool covers cut evaporation, reducing humidity, and lower ventilation and energy costs.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Poor fit = wasted heat, debris entering the pool.
• Leaving a solar blanket on during shocking = chlorine trapped, cover damage.
• Ignoring pooled water on solid covers = cover collapse.
• Purchasing non-compliant “safety” covers = child safety hazard.

Some issues can also stem from construction choices, so be sure to read about common problems with fiberglass pools and solutions to them.

Buyer’s Checklist

Before purchasing a pool cover, make sure you’ve considered:

• Pool size and shape: You may need custom inground pool cover sizing.
• Primary goal: Heat retention, safety, or debris control.
• Budget: Determine that and compare it to the pool cover ROI.
• Maintenance comfort level: Willingness to handle routine pool cover maintenance.
• Automation preference: Manual vs. automatic?

When in doubt, hire Tracer Pool & Landscape for accurate measurement, hardware consultation, and automatic system installation. For step-by-step instructions on seasonal pool care, check out our guide on how to safely close your pool for the off-season.

FAQs

Do pool covers really keep the water warmer, and by how much?

Yes. A solar cover can raise pool temperatures by 5–10°F, and all covers reduce overnight water loss.

Which cover type retains the most heat for the price?

Solar bubble covers are best in terms of price-performance ratio.

Is a liquid solar cover effective in colder climates?

Not very effective. It’s a better choice in mild or indoor pools.

What’s the difference between a mesh and a solid safety cover?

Mesh drains off water but lets in fine debris and light. Solid blocks everything but requires a pump.

How do I know if a cover is ASTM F1346 compliant?

Check the product packaging for the certification or confirm directly with the manufacturer.

Will a solar blanket work with an automatic cover system?

No. You need to choose one or the other.

How do I size a cover for an irregular pool?

With templates or by hiring a professional like Tracer Pool & Landscape for a custom fit.

Can a cover help reduce my heater’s runtime?

Yes, by up to half.

How much water can a cover save?

Thousands of gallons annually, depending on the pool size.

What maintenance is required for pool covers in the fall and winter?

Clean the cover, inspect hardware, and pump pooled water.

Do I need a cover pump in snowy climates?

Yes, for solid covers in Minnesota winters.

How long do different covers last?

• Solar: 3-5 years.
• Safety covers: 10-15 years.
• Automatic: 7-10 years with care.

Are covers safe to walk on?

Only ASTM-certified safety covers can be walked on.

What are the most common mistakes?

Poor sizing, leaving covers on during shocking, ignoring pooled snow and water.

When should I replace a worn cover vs repair it?

Tearing, UV cracking, or failed springs = time to replace. Small strap repairs are okay.

Why Every Pool Needs a Cover

While cool weather is a seasonal fact of life in Minnesota, the number one cause of pool heat loss is evaporation. So when it comes to balancing comfort, cost savings, and efficiency, pool covers for heat retention offer homeowners the single biggest return on investment.

From budget solar blankets to heavy-duty safety and automatic systems, there’s a right cover to pay you back in terms of added warmth, lower bills, and years of peace of mind. To find the right fit for your pool and your goals, contact Tracer Pool & Landscape today for expert sizing, hardware, and installation support.