Solar pool heating via a dark screen -- On the surface or submerged?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the effectiveness of using a dark screen for solar heat absorption in a pool, either floating on the surface or submerged. Participants express concerns about the screen's porosity potentially allowing heat loss and creating artificial shade, which could hinder solar absorption. While a dark screen may provide some benefits, traditional pool covers or non-porous fabrics are suggested as more effective alternatives. A floating bubble wrap cover is highlighted for its ability to significantly reduce heat loss from evaporation and effectively allow sunlight to penetrate for heating. Overall, the consensus leans towards using established pool cover solutions for optimal heating efficiency.
mmk8283
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TL;DR Summary
Looking for input on either floating or sinking a large sheet of dark screen for solar absorption in a pool
Summary: Looking for input on either floating or sinking a large sheet of dark screen for solar absorption in a pool

Looking for input on either floating or sinking a large sheet of dark screen for solar heat absorption in a pool. My though its that screen would be very user friendly to roll up when using the pool, and also cost effective. My question is if there is a trade off between the gain in solar heat absorption vs. creating artificial shade in the water column if the screen was to be on the surface. Any thoughts are appreciated!
 
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Welcome to the PF. :smile:

Part of effectively heating a pool with solar energy (via pool covers) is to limit the amount of heat given up to the air. Can you see how a porous screen will not do a very good job of that whether floating or submerged?
 
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I understand that the screen will not prevent the natural rise and dissipation of heat to the surface. But won't it still gather more solar heat vs. having nothing at all? Thanks for your help and input!
 
Yeah, it's probably better than nothing. Kind of like having the bottom of the pool painted black, but who wants a pool with a black bottom? o0)

But better still would be to just buy or make traditional covers, I think. Or use a non-porous fabric that sits on or just below the surface.

Have you tried any Google searching on this? I'm not 100% sure what the best solution is...
 
I use a bubble wrap cover. Here's why it works:

Something like 90% of the heat loss in a pool is from evaporation. A floating blanket stops this. Very effective.

The transparent cover let's sunlight right through to heat the pool water directly. (While a black cloth will absorb sunlight, it will only transfer via conduction to the topmost layer.)

It floats.
It's super light.

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DaveC426913 said:
The transparent cover let's sunlight right through to heat the pool water directly.
And since water is transparent almost only in the visible spectrum, the good type of cover will produce a very good greenhouse effect too.
Or, at least something similar 😉
 
DaveC426913 said:
Something like 90% of the heat loss in a pool is from evaporation. A floating blanket stops this. Very effective.
That is correct and very important.
Float the cover so as to reduce evaporative cooling.
 
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