Pool Covers: Solutions for Reducing Energy Costs

Sunbather pool cover installations.

Pool covers:

a simple solution for reducing energy costs

James Croll investigates how commercial pool cover suppliers are now employing highly tailored scientifi c solutions to optimise effi ciencies and massively reduce heating costs

For years, the commercial aquatic sector saw pool covers simply as a means of keeping a pool warm and the water’s chemistry in check. However, recent years have seen aquatic venues appreciating that fitting the right pool cover can result in benefits that are far more reaching and which can dramatically reduce costs. The shift is the result of a number of Australia’s pool cover suppliers continuously raising the bar and introducing some fascinating and ground-breaking solutions.

One such supplier, Sunbather endorses the importance of extensive research prior to tailoring a pool cover solution to a venues specific needs.

Sunbather Managing Director, Tom Boadle explains “in the first instance we offer a free energy audit and return on investment calculation using a unique pool heating simulation developed by the University of NSW specifically for swimming pools.

“We can calculate a pool centres current running costs, then apply the savings solar pool heating and/or pool covers will generate showing the savings in dollars, evaporation (litres), and greenhouse gas tonnes.”

The resultant cost savings are impressive. It is very common that by simply installing pool covers Sunbather can reduce a $200,000 a year pool heating bill down to $70,000. Very few products available generate such a rapid return on investment as typically the cover systems are paid for within 18 months.

A specialist in the commercial pool cover sector, Sunbather’s extensive research and analysis is particularly relevant in a number of high-profile projects they have completed in recent years since they have provided covers for some of the most complex and challenging projects. This was typified by their recent residential project - the Sky Pool at Hawthorne Park - with Aloha Pools, an Australian pool design and construction

Sunbather pool cover installation at Ballarat Aquatic Centre.

Above & below: Sunbather’s Sky Pool cover installation at Hawthorne Park with Aloha Pools. Above:Sunbather installations at Melton Waves and below at SA Aquatic Leisure Centre.

company known for constructing pools in difficult and demanding locations.

Boadle advises “the Sky Pool at Hawthorne Park was Melbourne’s first sky pool. It was built and suspended seven storeys high between two buildings at the $300 million Hawthorn Park development. It’s an astonishing feat of engineering. The pool itself is a 25-metre lap pool with a clear acrylic bottom, giving swimmers a spectacular view of the landscaped gardens below.”

The pool’s 50-tonne stainless-steel frame from Myrtha Pools was constructed in two parts and two cranes were needed to winch both parts into place.

Constructed to allow the structure to move independently of the two connecting buildings, Boadle advised “it’s a massive feat of engineering which took over seven months to build.

“We’ve worked with Aloha Pools on a number of exciting projects and this was a particularly exciting challenge as it saw us not only needing to design and manufacture a cover for a complex site but transport the cover seven stories up and get it poolside for installation.”

Boadle’s team solved the challenge with a sophisticated project plan that involved transporting the cover up via cranes. They also designed the cover to withstand the demands the exposure placed on the cover and managed to provide a solution that retained the pool water heat as efficiently as if it had been at ground level.

In addition to the more complex challenges posed by a number of Aloha projects, Sunbather are also seeing a massive trend for going underground; specifically, the installation of pool covers under ground level at poolside. Their award winning Downunder pool cover system was named Product of the Year at the SPASA Australia National Awards of Excellence and is a highly innovative energy saving system recognised for its outstanding achievement in pool product creativity, innovation, and design excellence.

The cover and roller are installed below ground level in precast concrete pits out of the way, leaving the pool deck clear of clutter. The Downunder system works simply, with operators needing to lift a hinged lid and pull out the thermal blanket to cover the pool before closing the lid so there’s no bulky roller on the pool deck to get in the way. The process is simply reversed to store the cover.

Boadle goes on to say “we’ve designed the Downunder system so that it can be operated manually or, for larger locations, mechanically with our Sunbather Aqua Valet.

“It’s an Australian invention, manufactured in Australia to handle tough local conditions. The system saves enough energy to pay for itself in just a few years.”

In keeping with a venue’s objective of keeping areas clean and de-cluttered are the innovative solutions suppliers are now delivering which combine pool cover storage with seating.

Boadle adds “under seat storage not only provides the perfect choice when space is limited.

“It also serves the dual purpose of providing seating at a budget friendly price (so) again, our focus is also on ease of use as the rollers are automated and can be easily stored or opened by one member of staff with the Sunbather Aqua Valet. The Aqua Valet is manoeuvrable, and the user simply plugs it into the side of the roller, pushes the button, and leaves the Valet to do its work.”

Perth and Sydney based Daisy Pool Covers, has been a leading supplier to Australia’s commercial aquatic industry for over 37 years.

Always ensuring that the company maintains a highly regarded reputation for providing innovative, tailored solutions for each project, Daisy Managing Director Derek Prince explains “every job is different. We have to tailor solutions for every project. The location of the venue, the actual space, storage, even the number of staff are all issues that need to be

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carefully addressed. Our process generally sees us addressing every determining factor that will come into play not just with the installation of a pool cover but its ongoing use. We carefully address what the venue is actually trying to achieve, how they plan on using the cover, and how they can use it wisely to get the most benefit.”

This attention to detail usually results in Daisy Pool Covers utilising an eight-page proposition document which covers everything from the design, the size, how the cover will get into the venue poolside, the installation and staff training to ensure the venue optimises the benefits of the cover.

Quite often a solution and proposition may be surprising to a venue, with Prince noting “in addition to commercial pools we specialise in school swimming pools.

“More often than not a solar cover solution is more beneficial in this instance as it helps to heat and insulate, whereas a thermal foam solution which a school may have initially envisaged only insulates. We also often find with schools, that a smaller series of covers and rollers rather than one large one system is the most efficient solution as they are easier to use.

“Our research is critical to ensuring the venue not only meets their own objectives but ensuring that the benefits are met that they had not previously realised they could attain. People are genuinely shocked at the results a well-researched tailored pool cover solution can bring. Generally, our solutions save pool warmth and reduce heating costs by 30 to 40%. There are also massive savings on cleaning costs and the cost of chemicals, whilst evaporation is reduced by 97% which not only retains chlorine but reduces corrosion and condensation in indoor heated pools.”

Daisy’s Pool Covers provide solutions for any commercial or larger pool needs. Their commercial rollers include below ground rollers, under bench rollers, drive motor options as well as wall mount, mobile manual and power rollers.

Prince notes “our Rollers are complimented by sophisticated winches They are designed so they can be managed and operated literally by one person, which is critical if one staff member is opening up or closing up the venue at the start or end of the day.”

Daisy’s Commercial Pool Cover range includes the 525 Solar Cover using their patented UltraDome™ Technology, which is renowned for delivering thermal efficiency, unparalleled performance, and longevity in the life of the pool cover. Daisy also offer the ThermoTech™ 4.5mm thick, cross linked PE closed cell Polyethylene foam pool cover. Another product renowned for substantially saving costs.

Prince goes on to explain that it’s not just a case of reducing costs, as a tailored pool cover can significantly extend the swimming season thus increasing revenue, adding “our research and statistics show that our pool cover solutions pay for themselves within 12 months.” James Croll was talking to Tom Boadle of Sunbather and Derek Prince of Daisy Pool Covers. Supreme Heating has been heating Australian pools for over 30 years, committed to creating ground-breaking renewable and sustainable pool heating solutions.

The company has a unique product line with a complete range of award-winning products. Their support service and delivery capability are exceptional. The company has offices nationwide extending to New Zealand. Reducing carbon footprint and operating costs Supreme Heating released in Australia, the world’s first certified hybrid panel, the Heatseeker Dualsun. The system is designed for simplicity and performance to transform into intelligent, positive-energy buildings. It utilises the available space in one footprint, designed for simplicity and performance to transform into intelligent, positive-energy buildings.

The outstanding features of Dualsun are that it is adaptive, Supreme Heating can provide and build the system to suit thermal input into pools. Turn the thermal peak and redirect the exchange intake into hot water systems, extracting the maximum efficiencies of the panels. Its smart logic can assist in future projects and building management.

The Heatseeker Dualsun uses the power from the sun to simultaneously produce electricity and heating for pools and other hot water applications. The water jacket underneath the panel is unexposed to UV radiation creating an ever-lasting lifespan. It is the ideal solution for multi-use commercial applications. Isis War Memorial Pool, Bundaberg Regional Council In 2018, Bundaberg Regional Council put out a Request for Tender (RFT), where they required the construction of a solid share structure and a sustainable heating system to cover and heat the pool. Their requirements included: year-round swimming; minimum temperature of 27-28c; proposed roof surface of 700-800 metre²; minimising whole of life costs; 70,000 litre indoor swimming pool; convert outdoor pool to an indoor facility and energy-efficient and cost-neutral. The Supreme Solution Supreme Heating’s solution provided the Council with: 120 x 280w Dualsun PVT panels 33.60kW Heatseeker Dualsun PVT solar system 216m Heatseeker Plus strip solar system 2 x 120kW supplementary inverter heat pumps In one year, they made $31,266 savings and, in 20 years will make $625,320 savings. The system will expect to pay for itself in six years.

Daisy Pool Covers wall mount Installation. Supreme Heating installations at Isis War Memorial Pool.

Moving to the Zero Energy Pool