Take a look at the position of your home on its lot and particularly your roof. Ask the following questions:
Temperatures normally remain above 65 degrees at night April-October, a solar blanket is not necessary under these conditions, and your warm pool will remain consistent morning and evening, however below these temperatures November-March a cover is necessary because convection heat losses will occur. The same applies to a heat pump or gas, without the cover, you just pay more to make up the difference.
The solar system we install has been tested up to 140 mph winds, because the patented hardware allows them to be anchored to the truss. As a result no solar systems in the past 3 hurricanes were lost.
In December of 2007 many of our customers experienced 85 degree Solar heated pool water. That year we had a warmer December than usual. We call December through February (bonus months), because there will be periods of time when your pool will be in the 80s….its just not going to be consistently in the 80s all the time in those 3 months.
A majority of people feel a low desire to swim when they have to put on a light jacket to go outside. For kids who are generally immune to cold water, the temperature of the pool water is nearly 12 degrees warmer in winter under a Solar heated pool as opposed to the natural season. In other words, it could be most of the year for kids. If you have a gas heater for the spa or a heat pump all you need is a few more degrees without a costly expenditure. This can be a comforting thought for that unexpected company that shows up at that time of year.