In short: Yes, solar pool covers work. A pool blanket warms the water by trapping the sun's heat and, more importantly, stops heat and water escaping through evaporation. Smart WaterMark says a solar cover can stop 97% of evaporation and cut chemical use by 30 to 60%. It's the cheapest way to get a warmer pool, with or without a heater.
A solar pool cover, also called a pool blanket or bubble cover, is a sheet of UV-stabilised plastic with air bubbles on one side. It floats bubble-side down on the water and does two jobs:
That second job is why a cover helps even on a heated pool. The heater adds warmth; the cover stops it walking out the top.
| What it affects | Uncovered pool | With a solar cover |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation | Up to 55,000 litres a year | Up to 97% less |
| Chemical use | Baseline | 30% to 60% less |
| Overnight heat loss | High, especially on clear, windy nights | Much lower |
| Leaves and debris | Land in the water | Sit on the cover |
Evaporation and chemical figures: Smart WaterMark pool cover fact sheet, published via Uralla Shire Council. Checked 19 October 2026. Results vary with climate, wind and how often the cover is on.
Yes, and they're easier to fit than on most pools. Fibreglass shells come in set shapes and sizes, so a blanket can be cut to the exact shell dimensions. Rectangular shells like the Slimline and Cosmopolitan suit roller systems well. Allow space at one end of the pool for the roller when you plan your paving.
Both, ideally. Leave a solar blanket on during sunny days to gather heat, and keep it on overnight to hold it. Take it off while you swim, and remove it when you shock-dose the pool so the water can gas off. If the water gets too warm in midsummer, leave the cover off for a day or two.
Not always. In warmer parts of Queensland and coastal NSW, a cover alone can add weeks to each end of the season. If you want to swim at a set temperature on cool mornings, add a heat pump. The two work best together, because the cover lets the heater run less. Compare your options in heat pump vs solar pool heating and see our pool heat pumps.
No. A solar blanket is not a child-safety barrier, and a child can slip under a floating cover. Your pool still needs a compliant fence. Read pool fence rules in Australia for the current requirements.
Price depends on the pool size, blanket thickness and whether you add a roller. [CONFIRM: does SPKD supply covers (e.g. Daisy) as a kit add-on? If yes, add current verified prices here. They are not listed on /pool-equipment-packages as of 19 Oct 2026.] Whatever you pay, a cover usually earns its keep through lower heating, water and chemical bills. See what else drives running costs in is pool maintenance actually expensive?
It's easier to plan a roller position and heater when the pool is still on paper. Get your kit price and we'll talk you through the options.
Try the Pool Price Calculator | Get your free pool kit quote or call 1800 497 421.