Do You Need a Pool Cover in Perth? Benefits, Types, and Costs

Perth’s dry, warm climate means your pool loses more water to evaporation than pools in most other Australian cities. During a typical Perth summer, an uncovered pool can lose 5 to 10 centimetres of water per week. That is thousands of litres over the season, along with the chemicals dissolved in that water.

A pool cover is one of the simplest and most cost-effective investments you can make as a pool owner. But with several types available at varying price points, it is worth understanding what each offers and whether the investment makes sense for your situation.

The Real Benefits of a Pool Cover in Perth

Reduces Evaporation by Up to 97 Per Cent

This is the most significant benefit for Perth pool owners. An uncovered pool can lose 10,000 to 20,000 litres of water per year through evaporation alone. A quality pool cover virtually eliminates this loss, saving you money on water and reducing the strain on Perth’s water supply during restriction periods.

Reduces Chemical Consumption by 35 to 60 Per Cent

When water evaporates, it leaves behind concentrated chemicals. But UV radiation also breaks down chlorine in uncovered pools. A pool cover blocks UV light, dramatically reducing chlorine consumption. It also prevents the loss of other chemicals through evaporation. Many Perth pool owners see their chemical costs drop by a third to half after installing a pool cover.

Keeps Debris Out

Perth’s easterly winds blow dust, sand, and leaf litter into pools. A cover acts as a physical barrier, keeping your pool cleaner and reducing the workload on your filter and skimmer. This is particularly valuable in suburbs with mature tree coverage like Mount Claremont, Claremont, and Dalkeith.

Retains Heat

If you have a pool heater (solar, heat pump, or gas), a pool cover dramatically improves its efficiency. Pools lose the majority of their heat through the surface. A cover can reduce heat loss by 50 to 70 per cent, meaning your heater runs less, your energy costs drop, and your pool stays warmer for longer.

Improves Safety

While no pool cover should be considered a safety device on its own, certain types of covers (particularly solid safety covers and automatic covers) add an additional layer of protection against accidental access. They are not a substitute for proper pool fencing but can provide extra peace of mind for families with young children.

Types of Pool Covers

Bubble Covers (Solar Blankets)

Bubble covers look similar to large sheets of bubble wrap. They float on the pool surface with the bubbles facing down and work by trapping a layer of insulating air between the cover and the water.

Cost: $200 to $600 (depending on pool size and quality) Roller system: $200 to $500 additional Lifespan: 3 to 5 years (UV degradation is the main wear factor in Perth)

Pros:

• Most affordable cover type
• Effective at reducing evaporation and chemical loss
• Provides modest heat retention and solar gain (warms the water slightly on sunny days)
• Easy to use with a roller system

Cons:

• Degrades in Perth’s intense UV over time
• Can be cumbersome to remove and replace without a roller
• Not aesthetically appealing
• Not suitable as a safety cover

Thermal Covers

Thermal covers are thicker, heavier versions of bubble covers with a more durable surface and better insulation properties. Some feature a reflective top surface to reduce UV degradation.

Cost: $400 to $1,200 Roller system: $300 to $600 additional Lifespan: 5 to 8 years

Pros:

• Superior heat retention compared to bubble covers
• More durable construction
• Better UV resistance for Perth conditions
• Excellent evaporation prevention

Cons:

• Heavier and more difficult to manage without a roller
• Higher cost than basic bubble covers
• Still not a safety cover

Liquid Pool Covers

Liquid pool covers are chemical products that form an invisible, microscopically thin layer on the pool surface. They are added to the pool water and reduce evaporation by slowing the rate at which water molecules escape the surface.

Cost: $80 to $150 per year (ongoing) Lifespan: Continuous application required

Pros:

• No physical cover to manage
• Pool remains accessible at all times
• No storage requirements
• No aesthetic impact

Cons:

• Only reduces evaporation by 30 to 50 per cent (less effective than physical covers)
• Requires regular reapplication
• Does not keep debris out
• No heat retention benefit
• Ongoing cost with no lasting asset

Automatic Pool Covers

Automatic covers are motorised systems that retract and extend a solid cover over the pool at the push of a button. They are the premium option and offer the best combination of convenience, performance, and safety.

Cost: $8,000 to $20,000+ (installed) Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

Pros:

• Effortless operation (push-button convenience)
• Excellent evaporation prevention and heat retention
• Effective safety barrier when closed
• Keeps all debris out
• Clean, attractive appearance
• Longest lifespan of any cover type

Cons:

• Significantly higher cost
• Requires professional installation
• Mechanical components need periodic maintenance
• May require modifications to pool coping

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Perth

Let us look at the real savings a standard bubble cover delivers for a typical 50,000-litre pool in Perth:

Annual Savings

Saving	Without Cover	With Cover	Annual Saving
Water (evaporation)	15,000L lost	1,500L lost	$30-$50
Chemicals (chlorine, acid)	$500/year	$250/year	$200-$300
Heating (if heated)	$800/year	$400/year	$300-$500
Cleaning time	2 hrs/week	1 hr/week	50+ hrs saved
Total			$530-$850+

A bubble cover at $400 to $600 typically pays for itself within the first year through water and chemical savings alone. If you have a heated pool, the payback period is even shorter.

Practical Considerations for Perth Pool Owners

Roller Systems Are Essential

Without a roller system, most pool owners find themselves using their cover less and less because manually folding and storing a wet pool blanket is inconvenient. A quality roller system ($200 to $500) is a worthwhile investment that ensures your cover actually gets used consistently.

UV Degradation

Perth’s intense UV radiation is the primary enemy of pool covers. Budget covers may last only 2 to 3 years before becoming brittle and ineffective. Investing in a quality cover with UV-stabilised material typically delivers better value over time, even though it costs more initially.

Wind

Perth can experience strong winds, particularly the afternoon sea breeze and occasional easterly gusts. A pool cover should be properly secured when in use. Some pool owners in exposed coastal suburbs like Scarborough and City Beach find that wind makes lighter covers impractical and opt for heavier thermal covers or automatic systems.

Algae Growth Under the Cover

A common concern is whether algae grows under a pool cover. If your water chemistry is properly maintained, algae should not be a problem. In fact, by reducing chlorine loss, a cover helps maintain more consistent chlorine levels, which actually reduces the risk of algae. However, if you put a cover on a pool with already low chlorine, the warm, dark environment under the cover can accelerate algae growth.

Our Recommendation

For most Perth pool owners, a quality bubble or thermal cover with a roller system is the best value. The combination of water savings, chemical savings, reduced maintenance, and heat retention makes it one of the smartest investments you can make for your pool.

If budget allows and you value convenience, an automatic cover is the ultimate solution, especially for families where multiple people use the pool and nobody wants to be responsible for covering and uncovering it manually.

Pool Cleaning Perth can help you choose the right cover for your pool and ensure your water chemistry and equipment are optimised to work with it. Call us on 08 7943 6637 to discuss pool cover options and get advice tailored to your specific pool.