Pool covers or pool blankets have been around for decades and for decades they have been underutilized. Why? Ask anyone. I can’t get it on the water easily. I can’t get it on the water straight. I can’t get it on the water by myself. I try, but it’s a pain. I try again. But I can’t keep it up. It’s too much.

Everywhere you look, pool covers or pool blankets are off the pools more than they are on the pools. And mostly, they just stay there. What a waste. The cost of the blanket. Not being used. The cost of the energy lost. Heat disappearing. The cost of evaporation. Water level going down by the hour. Chemicals? Using more and more. And all that dust and debris. And lastly, somebody’s got to vacuum it out.

Eventually the pool owner looks for a better solution to the pool cover problem and decides to explore the world of electric swimming pool covers for inground pools that cover and uncover the pool automatically. They are out there, but they are not all they are cracked up to be. The next step is to ensure the right solution is not just a more expensive problem with a different set of issues.

The idea is to cover and uncover the swimming pool without manual labor. And, simultaneously to keep the pool water clean and at a comfortable temperature.

Guide in Selecting Electric Pool Covers

Many electric pool covers are designed to fully cover the pool and in some cases even part of the pool deck as required for odd shaped pools. The roller would be positioned below deck or sitting above the deck at one end of the swimming pool.

Typical electric swimming pool covers consist of three main components or subassemblies; a reel (pool cover reel), clutch, pulleys, cables and tracks that are electrically powered to provide motion. If manual effort is required in any way with an electric system it is not automatic but a manual or partially electric pool cover, since it still requires human intervention (labor). These electric units require motor(s) to move the reel to unroll or roll the pool cover off and on the pool, combined with multiple gears, cables and pulleys for operation.

However, just rotating the reel in both directions will not cover/uncover the pool. The pool blanket will just fall off the reel and sit in a pile beside the reel. So sophisticated cable systems are used to pull the blanket in the direction of the pool. Typically two cables are required on each side of the pool and work in conjunction with the reel to slowly unroll and pull the blanket over the pool. This would be enough but pool blankets are not rigid but made from thin flexible material and require guides and tracks on each side, along with the cables. This arrangement is designed for alignment and smooth operation, but it must be set up correctly and maintained to prevent jamming.

Guide in Selecting Automatic Electric Pool Covers

Importantly, these electric motorized pool covers must be installed and assembled when the pool is being constructed.

Pros
  • Safety cover
  • Purportedly easy to use off and on the pool
  • Reduces water evaporation
  • Roller is usually installed below deck
Cons
  • Must be installed with a new pool
  • Complicated design with many components leads to questionable reliability
  • Excess water must be removed from the top of the pool cover with a pump
  • Electric cover typically needs to be replaced after 6 to 8 years at a cost of $2000 to $4000 plus installation
  • Pool Cover Motors may need to be replaced after a few years at a cost of $1000 to $2000 plus installation
  • Cable or rope failure replacement cost $1000 plus installation
  • Maintenance cost to $750 every 3 to 4 years

Electric Pool Covers for Inground

Deck automatic pool covers are electric driven and can be installed on the pool deck (on deck automatic pool covers) any time after the pool has been constructed.

Pros
  • Safety cover
  • Can be install after the pool has be constructed
  • Purportedly easy to use off and on the pool
  • Reduces evaporation of water
Cons
  • Complicated design with many components leads to questionable reliability
  • Track typically installed on deck, creates tripping hazard
  • Cover reel has to sit on the deck in a box with a lid
  • Doesn’t heat the pool’s water.
  • Excess water must be removed from the top of the pool cover with a pump
  • Electric pool cover typically needs to be replaced after 6 to 8 years at a cost of $2000 to $4000 plus installation
  • Pool Cover Motors may need to be replaced after a few years at a cost of $1000 to $2000 plus installation
  • Cable or rope failure replacement cost $1000 plus installation
  • Maintenance cost to $750 every 3 to 4 years

Automatic Pool Cover Roller

Automatic electric swimming pool covers or automatic pool cover rollers are not really fully automatic and require manual labor to operate. They will require effort to pull the cover over the pool or aligning the pool cover as it winds up onto the reel. However, not all automatic pool rollers are created equally.

Automatic Pool Cover Roller has an electric powered roller to assist you by only rotating when needed and is ready to be unrolled onto the pool with little effort. No clicking a remote off and on trying to stop and start the roller while watching the cover only to unspool to fast. Take your time with ease.

To uncover your pool the auto pool roller can also be adjusted to your speed, no rushing back and forth, side to side or clicking a remote off and on at the same time trying to ensure the cover winds up nicely. Just set the roller speed that is comfortable for you to wind the cover up with ease.

Pros
  • Uses any solar cover or pool blanket
  • Can be installed after the pool has be constructed
  • Reduces evaporation of water
  • No excess water gathers on top of the pool cover
  • Heats pool water when solar blanket is used
  • Powered roller only unwinds when needed with little effort
  • Plugs into a 115V or 240V GFCI standard plug
Cons
  • Not a safety cover
  • Not automatic, requires manual labor to operate
Auto Pool Reel - Motorized Pool Cover Solution

This patented fully automatic pool cover reel, without cables or tracks, is a clean, simple system that takes advantage of the basic principle of motion of the pool cover roller and pool blanket. It allows solar pool covers to be gently unrolled and positioned directly on the pool water or rolled up onto the reel electrically, automatically and is done without strings, cables, pulleys , tracks or manual assistance.

Pros
  • Uses a pool blanket or solar pool cover, even your existing one
  • Can be installed on existing pools
  • Easy to use on and off the swimming pool
  • Reduces evaporation of water
  • No excess water gathers on top of the pool cover
  • Not permanently attached to deck and can be moved out of the way
  • No tracks, strings or rope required
  • No box or lid required to hide mechanism at the end of the pool deck
  • Simple design with less components
  • Reliable repeated operation
  • Heats pool water when solar blanket is used
  • Plugs into a 115V or 240V GFCI standard plug
Cons
  • Not a safety cover

Auto Pool Reel has seen the problems. And the Auto Pool Reel (fully automatic motorized pool cover or electric pool cover roller) is the answer. Getting it on the pool? No problem. Getting it there every day? It’s easy. All by yourself? Sure, it’s electric.

Auto Pool Reel. It’s fully automatic. It’s Simple Touch deployment, the touch of a button makes it the perfect choice for your swimming pool. It’s technology. It’s the answer.

Need any help about Electric Swimming Pool Covers, contact us at info@autopoolreel.com

Auto Pool Reel. It’s electric. It's Automatic. order yours today.

Frequently Asked Questions

An Automatic Pool Cover is an automatic pool cover system that covers and uncovers a pool automatically. The Auto Pool Reel is similar to manual pool cover and reel but fully automatic. No manual effort is required just push a button.

Yes, by using the Auto Pool Reel or an Automatic Pool Roller with a pool blanket at night when it is typically cooler or when not in use will eliminate chlorine dissipation, water evaporation and heatloss. The cost of the Automatic Pool Cover and pool blanket is a small investment that pays dividends years to come. See Energy Use for energy savings.

The Auto Pool Reel or an Automatic Pool Roller can be used indoors or outdoors as required.

No, the Auto Pool Reel (APR) is fully automatic and requires no assistance so safety must be considered at all times. A flip of a switch the pool can be covered or uncovered.

The Auto Pool Reel or an Automatic Pool Roller can be used on most pools including rectangular and L-shape. As well it can also be used on straight sections of odd shape or freeform pools

No. The Auto Pool Reel is the only automatic pool cover in the world that requires no ropes or tracks or any assistance. Just push the button to cover or uncover your pool.

The Auto Pool Reel and Auto Pool Roller are innovative electric pool covers designed to simplify pool maintenance, but they differ in their level of automation and ease of use. The Auto Pool Reel is a fully automatic electric swimming pool cover system that requires no manual effort. With the rotation of a switch, it deploys and retracts the cover seamlessly, making it an ideal option for those who want a completely hands-free experience. On the other hand, the Auto Pool Roller is a semi-automatic electric swimming pool cover system that offers power-assisted deployment and automatic retraction. To cover the pool, users gently pull the cover while the system unwinds it smoothly. When it’s time to remove the cover, the Auto Pool Roller retracts it automatically with the rotations of a switch. This option provides a balance between automation and affordability, making it a great choice for those looking for a cost-effective electric swimming pool cover solution.

Choosing the right electric swimming pool cover depends on your budget, convenience needs, and long-term savings. A semi-automatic option like the Auto Pool Roller provides power-assisted deployment and automatic retraction, making it a cost-effective solution with minimal manual effort. For ultimate convenience, the Auto Pool Reel, a fully automatic electric pool cover, allows hands-free operation at a higher electric pool cover cost. While automatic covers have a higher initial price, they save money over time by reducing water evaporation, heat loss, and chemical use. Additionally, both systems are easy to install and designed for electric pool covers for inground pools of various sizes. Assess your budget, desired level of automation, and long-term savings to choose the best option for your pool.

The Auto Pool Reel offers the ultimate convenience in managing electric pool covers with its fully automatic operation. With just the rotation of a switch, it deploys and retracts your cover, making it an ideal solution for those who value ease of use and efficiency. Unlike traditional manual covers or semi-automatic systems, the Auto Pool Reel eliminates the need for any manual effort, providing a hands-free experience. While the electric pool cover cost is higher than manual options, the long-term benefits—such as reduced water evaporation, heat retention, and lower heating and chemical costs—make it a valuable investment. This system is compatible with electric pool covers for inground pools, accommodating various sizes. If you're looking for a high-quality, hassle-free solution to protect your pool, the Auto Pool Reel is the best choice for durability, energy savings, and overall convenience.

Installing your electric swimming pool cover with the Auto Pool Reel is simple and can be done without professional help. The system is designed for easy installation, and comes with detailed instructions to guide you through each step. It requires a nearby electrical outlet for operation, and the cover is compatible with most inground pools. With the Auto Pool Reel, you can quickly set up your electric pool cover and enjoy the convenience of automatic deployment and retraction.

Yes, you can use your existing pool cover with the Auto Pool electric swimming pool cover system. The Auto Pool Reel and Auto Pool Roller are designed to be compatible with almost any type of swimming pool cover, allowing you to use your current cover or choose one that best suits your needs, reducing your electric pool cover cost. These systems are customizable, accommodating covers up to 20 feet wide and between 12 and 16 mils in thickness. This flexibility ensures that you can integrate the Auto Pool system with your existing cover seamlessly.

The Auto Pool Reel offers a fully automatic electric pool cover system at a very reasonable price, while the Auto Pool Roller provides a semi-automatic option for slightly less. This higher initial investment in an electric swimming pool cover than a standard manual cover can lead to long-term savings by reducing water evaporation, heat loss, and chemical usage by the ease of use. Additionally, the convenience of the automatic covers can enhance the overall pool experience. Therefore, the benefits justify the Auto Pool cover cost, making it a smart investment in the best interest of maintenance and convenience for your pool!

Yes, Auto Pool electric pool covers come with a warranty. Both the Auto Pool Reel and the Auto Pool Roller are backed by a 2-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty ensures that your electric pool cover is built to last and provides peace of mind knowing that if any issues arise during normal use, you're covered. For more details on the warranty coverage and terms, please refer to the product documentation or contact our customer support team.

The Auto Pool electric pool covers for inground pools are constructed using high-quality materials designed for durability and performance. The reels and rollers are made from tough, UV-resistant plastic that is built to withstand harsh weather conditions and pool chemicals. The Auto Pool Reel and Auto Pool Roller systems feature sturdy aluminum and stainless steel components, ensuring long-lasting performance. These materials help to provide a reliable, low-maintenance solution to keep your pool protected.