If you’re planning a new pool or considering upgrades to an existing one, an automatic pool cover is one feature worth evaluating. While it adds to the upfront cost of a swimming pool project, many homeowners find that the benefits in safety, maintenance, energy savings, and convenience make it a worthwhile investment. Whether you’re building a new gunite pool or updating an existing backyard retreat, understanding the pros and cons of an automatic pool cover can help you make the right decision for your family and property.
Key Summary
An automatic pool cover can improve safety, reduce maintenance, lower heating costs, minimize water evaporation, and help keep your pool cleaner throughout the swimming season. While the initial investment can be significant, many homeowners find that the long-term savings and convenience make an automatic pool cover a valuable addition to their backyard.
What Is an Automatic Pool Cover?
An automatic pool cover is a motorized system designed to open and close over your swimming pool with the push of a button. Unlike traditional manual covers that require significant effort to install and remove, automatic covers operate on a track system installed along the pool’s perimeter.
When closed, the cover creates a protective barrier over the water surface. Modern systems are engineered to support substantial weight, helping improve safety while also protecting the pool from leaves, debris, and environmental contaminants. They can be walked on, pets can cross them, and while it could damage the cover, they can prevent wildlife deaths as well.
Many homeowners building custom residential pools choose to incorporate automatic covers during the design phase because the system can be seamlessly integrated into the pool’s overall appearance.
The Biggest Benefits of an Automatic Pool Cover
The most obvious benefit of an automatic pool cover is convenient safety. Instead of spending time wrestling with a manual cover, you can secure your pool in seconds.
However, convenience is only part of the equation. Automatic covers provide several practical advantages that can improve your ownership experience for years to come.
Improved Pool Safety
For families with children or pets, safety is often the primary reason for investing in an automatic pool cover. When properly installed and maintained, many automatic covers create a strong barrier that helps prevent accidental access to the water.
While no safety system should replace supervision or proper fencing, an automatic cover can serve as an important additional layer of protection. Some towns allow a safety cover to replace a fence. This needs to be confirmed with the town prior to planning this type of project.
An important installation detail: All pool covers are not created equal. While some companies bolt the cover tracks into the bottom of the pool coping, SSG bolts these tracks directly to the concrete structure. Screwing the track to the coping can damage the coping and is less reliable as a safety cover.
Reduced Maintenance Requirements
One of the biggest frustrations pool owners face is keeping debris out of the water. Leaves, pollen, insects, and dirt can quickly accumulate, requiring additional cleaning and chemical balancing.
By keeping the pool covered when it’s not in use, an automatic pool cover dramatically reduces the amount of debris entering the water. This often means less skimming, less vacuuming, and fewer hours spent maintaining the pool.
Combined with professional pool maintenance, an automatic cover can help keep your pool cleaner and easier to manage throughout the season.
Reduced Chemical Usage
When the cover is closed, it prevents the sun and debris from using up the chlorine, as sun, leaves, dirt, and debris all reduce chlorine levels. Automatic covers also keep rainwater out of the pool. During extreme rain events, an uncovered pool can become overfilled, diluting the chemicals and requiring water to be drained and chemicals to be added.
With an automatic cover, rainwater lands on the cover and can be removed with the provided cover pump.
Lower Heating Costs
Pool heating can be one of the largest operating expenses for homeowners in New England. Much of a pool’s heat loss occurs through evaporation at the water’s surface.
When an automatic pool cover is closed, it significantly reduces evaporation, helping retain heat and maintain a more consistent water temperature. This means your heater may run less frequently, potentially lowering energy costs while extending your swimming season.
When calculating pool heater requirements, it is almost solely based on water surface area, as this is where approximately 90% of heat loss comes from.
Reduced Water Loss
Evaporation doesn’t just remove heat. It also removes water.
A covered pool loses far less water than an uncovered pool, which means fewer top-offs throughout the season. This can be especially beneficial during hot summer months when evaporation rates are highest.
Reduced water loss also means fewer chemicals are needed to maintain proper balance, providing additional operational savings over time.
New England pool owners take note: In late summer, with hot days and cool nights, it’s not uncommon for a pool to lose ½ inch of water per day. With a common 18′ x 36′ pool, that can equal around 200 gallons of water loss per day from evaporation alone.
Enhanced Pool Appearance
Many homeowners worry that an automatic pool cover will negatively impact the look of their backyard. Fortunately, modern systems have become far more sophisticated.
Today’s automatic covers are integrated directly into the pool design, hiding tracks and mechanisms while maintaining a clean, attractive appearance.
When paired with custom decking and patios, an automatic cover can blend seamlessly into the overall outdoor living space.
What if you like to see water in your backyard all day? No problem. Simply keep the cover open and utilize it for peace of mind at night and while away from home. Automatic covers can also come with either a lock box or a key-activated switch for additional security.
What Are the Downsides?
No pool upgrade is perfect, and automatic pool covers do come with a few considerations.
The biggest factor is cost. Automatic pool covers require specialized equipment, installation, and structural planning. For homeowners working within a strict budget, this additional investment may not always be practical.
Like any mechanical system, automatic covers also require periodic maintenance. Motors and cover materials can wear over time and may eventually require repair or replacement. However, with proper maintenance, including removing water, leaves, and debris from the cover before opening it and cleaning the vault once a year, these systems can function without repair for many years.
Additionally, automatic covers work best on rectangular pools. Highly customized pool designs may require additional engineering or may limit cover options.
Are Automatic Pool Covers Worth the Investment?
For many homeowners, the answer is yes.
When evaluating the total value of an automatic pool cover, it’s important to look beyond the initial installation cost. Reduced maintenance, lower energy consumption, improved safety, cleaner water, and added convenience can all contribute to long-term value.
Homeowners who use their pool frequently often find that an automatic cover becomes one of their favorite features because it simplifies pool ownership while helping protect their investment.
If you’re planning a new pool or considering upgrades to an existing one, working with an experienced builder can help determine whether an automatic cover makes sense for your specific project.
As New England’s largest gunite pool builder, SSG Pools helps homeowners design custom pools that balance beauty, functionality, and long-term performance.
A large majority of pools installed today are rectangles with automatic pool covers.
Talk With a Pool Expert About Automatic Pool Covers
Every property, pool design, and family has unique needs. If you’re considering an automatic pool cover, the best first step is discussing your goals with a professional pool contractor.
Contact us to learn more about automatic pool cover options for your next pool project or to schedule a consultation with the SSG Pools team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an automatic pool cover cost?
The cost of an automatic pool cover varies depending on the size, shape, and design of the pool. Installation is typically easier and more cost-effective when incorporated during initial pool construction.
Do automatic pool covers save money?
Yes. Automatic pool covers can help reduce heating costs, lower water loss from evaporation, and decrease chemical usage, which may result in long-term savings.
Can an automatic pool cover keep my pool clean?
Automatic pool covers significantly reduce the amount of leaves, dirt, insects, and debris that enter the water, helping keep the pool cleaner between uses.
How long does an automatic pool cover last?
The lifespan of an automatic pool cover depends on usage, maintenance, and environmental conditions. With proper care, many systems provide years of reliable operation.
Can an automatic pool cover be added to an existing pool?
In many cases, yes. However, installation requirements vary based on the pool’s shape, structure, and surrounding deck area. A professional evaluation can determine whether retrofitting is feasible.