Spas & Hot TubsGuide
Hot Tub in Winter: Keep It Running or Winterize It
What the hot tub makers' manuals say about winter: freeze protection, power cuts, snow on the cover, and how to winterize a tub you won't be using.
13 minUpdated Oct 4, 2026
Topic
Pool Cover Guides
The single highest-return accessory for most pools, and the least exciting to buy.
10 guides on this topic
Seasonal CareHow-to
How to Close an Above-Ground Pool for Winter
Which above-ground pools can stay up, how far each maker says to lower the water, and the plugs, pillow and cover that keep winter ice off the wall.
12 minUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Seasonal CareHow-to
Opening an Above-Ground Pool: What's Different
No main drain, a wall that moved over winter and a fraction of the volume. The opening steps that change on an above-ground, and the two that matter most.
5 minUpdated Sep 6, 2026
EquipmentGuide
Automatic Pool Covers: Cost, How They Work, and What Breaks
What automatic pool covers cost, how the tracks, ropes and drum work, what the makers' warranties cover, what wears out, and when one is a safety cover.
15 minUpdated Oct 4, 2026
Seasonal CareGuide
Solar Pool Covers: Which Side Down, and Are They Worth It?
Which way up a solar cover goes, how much heat it really adds, how long one lasts, and the safety point that matters more than any of it.
5 minUpdated Sep 5, 2026
Seasonal CareComparison
Pool Covers Compared: Solar, Safety, Winter and Automatic
Solar, winter, safety and automatic pool covers compared from the makers' manuals: what each one is for, what its warranty covers, and which hold weight.
14 minUpdated Oct 2, 2026
Seasonal CareHow-to
How to Close a Pool for Winter Without Freeze Damage
When to close, how far your cover's maker says to lower the water, and the pump, filter and heater steps from the manuals, so nothing cracks in a freeze.
12 minUpdated Oct 2, 2026
CostsCost guide
Pool Heating Costs: Gas vs Heat Pump vs Solar in 2026
Real running costs for each heater type by climate, why a cover changes the math more than the heater does, and what to expect per month.
6 minUpdated Oct 4, 2026
EquipmentComparison
Pool Heaters Compared: Gas, Heat Pump, Solar and Electric
Which heater suits which climate and use pattern, how to size one properly, and where the marketing numbers fall apart.
7 minUpdated Sep 24, 2026
Seasonal CareHow-to
How to Open a Pool in Spring (And Come Up Clear, Not Green)
Opening early beats every chemical you can buy in April. The full sequence, in order, including what to do if it's already green.
5 minUpdated Apr 22, 2026