Calculator with Cover

Pool Cover Savings & Efficiency Calculator

Estimated Monthly Savings with a Cover

Water Saved: 0 Gallons

Water Cost Saved: $0.00

Heating Savings: $0.00

Chemical Savings: $0.00

---

Total Monthly Savings: $0.00

Annual Savings (Swimming Season): $0.00

function calculatePoolSavings() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('poolLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('poolWidth').value); var evapRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('evapRate').value); var waterCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('waterCost').value); var heatBill = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heatBill').value); var chemCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('chemCost').value); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(evapRate) || isNaN(waterCost) || isNaN(heatBill) || isNaN(chemCost)) { alert("Please enter valid numbers in all fields."); return; } var surfaceArea = length * width; // Logic: Covers reduce evaporation by ~95% // 1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons. Evap is in inches, convert to feet (/12) var weeklyWaterLossGallons = (surfaceArea * (evapRate / 12)) * 7.48; var monthlyWaterLossGallons = weeklyWaterLossGallons * 4.33; var waterSavedGallons = monthlyWaterLossGallons * 0.95; var waterMoneySaved = (waterSavedGallons / 1000) * waterCost; // Logic: Covers reduce heating costs by 50-70% (using 60% average) var heatMoneySaved = heatBill * 0.60; // Logic: Covers reduce chemical consumption by ~40% due to less UV degradation and less top-off water var chemMoneySaved = chemCost * 0.40; var totalMonthly = waterMoneySaved + heatMoneySaved + chemMoneySaved; var totalAnnual = totalMonthly * 12; document.getElementById('waterSavedGal').innerHTML = Math.round(waterSavedGallons).toLocaleString(); document.getElementById('waterMoneySaved').innerHTML = waterMoneySaved.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('heatMoneySaved').innerHTML = heatMoneySaved.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('chemMoneySaved').innerHTML = chemMoneySaved.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('totalSavings').innerHTML = '$' + totalMonthly.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('annualSavings').innerHTML = '$' + totalAnnual.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('resultArea').style.display = 'block'; }

How a Pool Cover Saves You Money

Using a high-quality cover on your swimming pool is the most effective way to reduce maintenance costs and conserve resources. This calculator estimates the three primary areas where a cover provides financial and environmental benefits: evaporation, heat retention, and chemical balance.

1. Stopping Evaporation

In many climates, an uncovered pool can lose between 1 and 2 inches of water per week. For a standard 15×30 foot pool, a 1.5-inch loss translates to over 400 gallons of water per week. A solid or solar cover acts as a vapor barrier, eliminating up to 95% of this evaporation. This means you spend less on your water bill and spend less time dragging the hose to the pool edge.

2. Heat Retention and Energy Efficiency

Evaporation is not just a loss of water; it is a massive loss of energy. It takes a significant amount of energy for water to transition from liquid to gas, and that energy (heat) is pulled directly from your pool. By covering your pool, you trap the thermal energy inside. For heated pools, this can slash gas or electricity bills by 50% to 70%. If you rely on solar heating, a cover ensures that the warmth gained during the day isn't lost to the cold night air.

3. Chemical Conservation

Chlorine is highly susceptible to degradation by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. An uncovered pool requires constant chemical adjustment as the sun "burns off" the sanitizer. Furthermore, when water evaporates, it leaves behind concentrated minerals and salts, which can unbalance your pH levels. A cover keeps the chemicals in the water and the debris out, reducing your monthly chemical spend by approximately 35-50%.

Practical Example

Consider a 16′ x 32′ pool in a dry climate:

• Weekly Evaporation: 2 inches (~640 gallons).
• Monthly Heating Bill: $200.
• Chemical Costs: $50/month.
• With a Cover: You could save roughly 2,500 gallons of water per month, reduce your heating bill by $120, and save $20 on chemicals, totaling over $145 in monthly savings.