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Automatic Safety Covers and R-Value
A common question that gets asked by those considering an automatic safety cover
for their pool or spa is “What is the R-Value of the cover?” Most of the time, what
they are really asking is “How well does the cover retain heat?”
R-Value of an Automatic Safety Cover
R-Value is simply a measurement of a mass’ ability to resist the conduction of heat.
In other words, how well does it insulate? In measuring for R-Value, manufacturers
are only allowed to state the value of the actual insulating material, not the material
and it’s performance. Since automatic safety covers do not use insulation to block
heat loss (more below) the stated R-Value is 0.
How Well Do Automatic Safety Covers Retain Heat
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 70% of heat loss in a pool or spa is
from evaporation. An automatic safety cover acts as a vapor barrier and is “the sin-
gle most effective means of reducing pool heating costs” according to the DOE, and
can save the homeowner up to 70% on heating costsi.
Conclusion
So while automatic safety covers do not have a measurable R-Value, they will per-
form just as well, if not better, when it comes to stopping the biggest cause of heat
loss, which is evaporation.
i https://energy.gov/energysaver/swimming-pool-covers
08/08/2019
10/02/2019
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