DIY Liquid Solar Blanket

Liquid solar blankets are one molecule thick.

Evaporation prevention is an effective means of lowering heating costs because changes of state (solid to liquid to gas or vapor) are high heat consumption phenomenon. According to tests conducted by the Professional Pool Operators of America, a liquid solar blanket applied once a day is 75 percent as effective as a hard pool cover.

1. Purchase a supply of stearyl alcohol of not less than 95 percent purity. This inexpensive substance is a solid, waxy vegetable oil available from most chemical suppliers. It comes in granules or flakes. Your liquid blanket requires 1/20th of an ounce per 500 square feet of surface area per application.

2. Purchase a supply of isopropyl alcohol, commonly called rubbing alcohol. You'll need 19/20th of an ounce per 500 square feet of surface area per application.

3. Pour 8.5 ounces of isopropanol into a glass jar with a screw-on lid. Pour .5 ounces of stearyl alcohol flakes or granules in the jar, and screw the lid on tight.

4. Shake vigorously until the stearyl alcohol and the isopropyl alcohol are completely blended.

5. Apply to the water by dribbling the mixture along the length of the windward side of the pool at a ratio of one fluid ounce per 500 square feet of swimming pool surface area.