Table of contents:
- How a solar film works
- Find the right solar film
- Cost of solar film
- Three test winners
- Advantages and disadvantages of a solar film
- What else you should consider

Video: Solar film for the pool: save energy

The pool water can be heated by a few degrees in summer with a solar film. At the same time, you save energy. What you should pay attention to when buying, read below.
Table of contents Table of contents Solar film for the pool: save clever energy
- How a solar film works
- Find the right solar film
- Cost of solar film
- Three test winners
- Advantages and disadvantages of a solar film
Table of contents Table of contents Solar film for the pool: save clever energy
- How a solar film works
- Find the right solar film
- Cost of solar film
- Three test winners
- Advantages and disadvantages of a solar film
Many look forward to summer all year round. Especially when your own pool is waiting in the garden. When the temperatures are above the 30-degree mark from one day to the next, you can hardly wait to refresh yourself in the cool water. But especially at the beginning of summer, the pool water is still too cold. With a solar pool film you can help a little and convert the solar energy into heat.
How a solar film works
The solar film uses the energy of the sun. The difference to conventional foils is their structure. The film is smooth on the top. The underside has nubs filled with air. When sunlight falls on the surface of the film, it heats up and with it the air in the knobs on the underside. The pool water circulates all the time around the warm knobs and absorbs the stored solar heat.
In contrast to other films, solar films are treated with polyethylene and are therefore UV-resistant. They are also protected against chlorine. The chlorine in the pool does not attack the material, which promises a long lifespan of around 10 years. At night, the film insulates the pool water better than other tarpaulins. So the temperature only drops by about one to two degrees. Good to know: A solar film is not suitable for winter. So a second tarpaulin must be bought especially for winter.

The air cushions on the bottom allow the film to float on the water surface.
Photo: iStock / K_Thalhofer
Find the right solar film
There are a few things to consider when choosing the right solar film. The pool liner should in any case be opaque and dark colored so that no sunlight can penetrate and no algae form. The color selection is usually limited to blue and black foils. Black foils are better, because they keep the UV radiation much better than blue foils. Good to know: Solar pool foils with silver coating ensure particularly good insulation.
The strength of the solar film is very important. So choose a thicker film with about 400 microns. Thinner films allow too much UV radiation to pass through and promote algae growth. Finally, you have to choose the right size. As a rule, there is a suitable solar film for all pool shapes and sizes. If necessary, you can also cut them and adapt them to individual shapes. It is important, however, that the pool liner is slightly smaller than the pool, as this is the only way that it will float on the water surface.
When choosing a solar film, it is best to buy a suitable reel. So the pool is quickly opened and covered again.
Cost of solar film
Depending on your needs, you can buy solar film with specific dimensions or special shapes. The costs vary depending on the strength and insulation properties of the solar film. The prices are around 7 to 12 euros per square meter of film.
For most pool owners, the purchase of a retractor for the solar film is also an option. This means that the film can be stored gently and space-saving when it is not in use as a cover. The prices for retractors are between 200 and 400 euros, depending on the size and quality of workmanship.
Three test winners
model | Aquamarine pool solar film | Intext solar tarpaulin | Miganeo Premium Pool solar film |
---|---|---|---|
Comparison result | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 |
Type | Solar mat | Solar mat | Solar mat |
Dimensions | 600 x 400 x 1 cm | 366 x 366 x 1cm | 366 x 366 x 0.5cm |
Maximum
warming |
+2 ° C | +2 ° C | + 2 ° C |
benefits |
Easy to cut Immediately usable Easy to store |
Heating cost savings of up to 70% Less cleaning effort Less use of pool chemicals |
Immediately usable Can be stowed away to save space can be cut to size |
Advantages and disadvantages of a solar film
benefits |
disadvantage |
---|---|
saves electricity costs |
Not suitable as a winter cover |
Prevents cooling down of the pelvis overnight |
Not accessible |
Coarse impurities nothing get into the pool |
Doesn't bring the same for a long time Heating output like a heat pump |
Takes a long time the pool is heated |

For the winter you should attach a fixed pool roof.
Photo: iStock / dbvirago
What else you should consider
Put the foil in the shade
If you uncover your pool and the sun is shining, you should put the solar pool film in the shade or put it in the shade. The solar foils are made of polyethylene, an industrially manufactured plastic. If it is exposed to strong sunlight for a long time, it becomes soft, can stick together and even throw bubbles.
Alternatives
Do not use foils that are intended for other areas of application. These can release pollutants and get into the water. In addition, they usually do not swim on the water surface. Also, don't buy cheap films that are only 160 microns thick. They usually do not have a long shelf life and promote algae growth.
Lea Straub editors haus.de
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