Pool bubble covers

Bubble covers are an ideal choice for naturally heating your pool water while protecting it from impurities. Thanks to their special design, these pool covers absorb the sun's heat and transfer it directly to the water, thereby reducing evaporation and limiting the use of expensive heating systems.

How to choose a bubble cover for your pool?

To select the ideal bubble cover, several criteria must be considered:

• Pool dimensions: The cover must match the exact dimensions of your pool.
• Cover thickness: This is generally expressed in microns and ranges between 180 microns, 300 microns, and 500 microns. A thicker cover is more resistant and offers better thermal insulation.
• Type of finish: Some covers have reinforced edges or grommets to facilitate handling and improve durability.
• Cover color: Blue covers are the most common, but translucent models exist, which further optimize heat absorption and retention.

What are the advantages of a bubble cover?

Bubble covers are an effective way to heat pools, offering numerous benefits in terms of comfort, economy, and equipment maintenance. Here are the main advantages:

1. Natural water heating

Thanks to their specific isothermal design, bubble covers capture solar energy and transfer it to the water, allowing for a temperature increase of 2 to 5°C depending on climatic conditions and cover thickness.

2. Reduced heat loss

At night and during cooler days, pool water tends to lose its heat quickly. A bubble cover limits these thermal losses by forming an insulating barrier on the water's surface.

3. Decreased evaporation

Water evaporation is one of the main causes of heat loss and increased maintenance costs. A bubble cover can limit water evaporation by up to 80%, thus preserving and protecting your pool water and avoiding excessively frequent refills.

4. Reduced energy consumption

By maintaining a more stable water temperature, the bubble cover limits the use of heating systems such as heat pumps or electric heaters. This allows for significant savings on your electricity bill.

5. Protection against impurities

A bubble cover prevents leaves, insects, dust, and other debris from falling into the pool, thus reducing filter clogging and cleaning frequency. It also helps you avoid excessive chemical treatment of the pool against accumulated impurities.

6. Reduced chemical usage

By reducing evaporation and contamination of the water by external impurities, the bubble cover significantly limits the use of chemicals (chlorine, algaecides, stabilizers). This contributes to more ecological and economical maintenance.

7. Easy installation and use

Unlike other types of pool covers, the bubble cover is suitable for any pool equipment or layout, lightweight, and easy to handle. It can be placed directly on the water without fasteners and removed in a few seconds. Using a reel further facilitates its installation and storage.

8. Extended season

For all the reasons mentioned above, the presence of a bubble cover on a pool extends the swimming season throughout the year, with the water maintained at a pleasant temperature for several months.

9. A profitable and durable investment

With an average lifespan of 3 to 10 years depending on the quality of the model, the bubble cover represents a profitable investment. Its cost is quickly amortized thanks to the numerous savings made on water, electricity, time, and treatment and maintenance products.

What thickness of bubble cover should I choose?

The thickness of a bubble cover has a direct impact on its performance and longevity. Bubble covers generally have a thickness between 200 and 500 microns on the market.

At Poolplanet, we offer a range of APE brand bubble covers of 500 microns thick: Ideal for maximizing heat retention and durability. These covers are thicker, more robust, and better protect the water against evaporation.

How to install a bubble cover?

Installing a bubble cover is simple, requires no specific tools, and takes only a few minutes.

1. Unroll the cover: Place the cover on the water's surface, with the bubble side facing the water to maximize solar heat transmission.
2. Use a reel: For large pools, a reel can be useful for easier handling and storage of the cover.
3. Proper storage: When the cover is not in use, it is advisable to store it in the shade or under protection to extend its lifespan.

What types of pools are suitable for bubble covers?

Bubble covers are compatible with most pools, whether inground or above ground.

• Above-ground pool: Bubble covers are suitable for both wooden and semi-inground pools.
• Frame pool: These pools can also be equipped with bubble covers adapted to their dimensions.
• Inground pool: At Poolplanet, we offer a range of custom-made covers to suit all types of pools; round, rectangular, oval, etc.

How does the bubble cover retain heat?

The bubble cover works on a simple principle: it acts as an insulating effect.

• Solar energy absorption: The air bubbles trapped in the cover capture heat from the sun and transfer it directly to the water.
• Reduction of nocturnal heat loss: By covering the pool at night, it prevents the water from cooling down too quickly.
• Decreased evaporation: Evaporation is a major cause of heat loss. By limiting this phenomenon, the cover helps maintain a more stable water temperature.

Bubble cover or bar cover?

Bubble and bar covers have different functions and meet distinct needs.

• Bubble cover: Its main purpose is to heat pool water by capturing solar energy and limit evaporation. It also protects the pool from impurities, but it is not a safety device.

• Bar cover: This is a safety cover designed to prevent accidental falls into the pool, especially for children and animals. It also offers protection against impurities and can limit evaporation, but its thermal efficiency is lower than that of a bubble cover.

If you primarily want to retain heat and reduce water loss, the bubble cover is the best choice. If you are mainly looking for safety protection, the bar cover is more suitable. Some pool owners use both in combination to benefit from the advantages of each.

Should you add a bubble cover with a heat pump for your pool?

Yes, it is highly recommended to use a bubble cover with a heat pump.

A heat pump heats the pool water using an external energy source, but without protection, the accumulated heat can quickly dissipate, especially overnight. A bubble cover allows you to:

• Reduce heat loss: The water retains the temperature reached thanks to the heat pump longer, while avoiding heat loss.
• Limit evaporation: Less water evaporates, which also reduces the energy consumption needed to heat the pool.
• Optimize energy efficiency: The heat pump works better when the water retains its heat, which helps reduce its electrical consumption.

The combined use of a bubble cover and a heat pump therefore optimizes the water temperature rise and generates energy savings.

Are there different types of bubble covers?

Yes, there are several types of bubble covers, and some technologies offer superior performance in terms of durability and thermal retention.

At the APE brand that we offer, there are mainly two types of bubble covers:

• Classic bubble covers: These consist of standard round air bubbles that capture and release heat from the sun. Available in 2 colors: blue and translucent.
• OXO bubble covers: These models benefit from advanced technology with X-shaped bubbles that offer better UV resistance, greater durability, and more efficient thermal insulation. Thanks to this innovation, the OXO cover retains heat better and offers a longer lifespan than classic covers. Also available in 2 colors, blue or black/gray.

The choice between these models depends on your needs: a classic cover is sufficient for standard use, while an OXO cover is more suitable if you are looking for a more performing and durable solution.

What are the delivery times for a bubble cover?

Delivery times vary depending on the custom-made model.

Once the quote, order, and payment are validated, allow 15 days to 3 weeks maximum for delivery of the model to your home. (Metropolitan France)

If you have any questions or need help regarding delivery or manufacturing of a cover, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service.