Do I Need A Swimming Pool Chiller
If you find that youre constantly battling high water temperatures or if youre struggling with heat-related pool maintenance issues such as algae blooms or evaporation a pool chiller might be a good option. Is a pool chiller worth it for you? Consider a chiller if:
- You live in a part of the country thats prone to extreme heat.
- You have a pool with a darker finish .
- Your pool is in direct sunlight most of the day.
How To Heat A Swimming Pool
Ahhhh, a heated pool. Theres nothing quite as glorious as taking confidence in knowing that when you plunge into your pool youre not transforming into a polar bear.
What? You mean that jumping into an unexpectedly cold pool wasnt the experience you were going for? How about spending oh-too-long easing your way into liquid frost on a hot summer day.
Wouldnt it be nice to not only be able to enter your pool immediately, without the shock of the instant temperature change to your body, but also extend the swim season year after year? Sure would!
While a pool heater is the most efficient method for scoring a warm watered pool, there are other routes you can take to help heat up your pool and keep it open for a longer season.
Before we start, here are a few things to be aware of:
Not all pools will have similar results due to various factors. For example, the weather/climate and pool location play key roles in how your pool will react to these different heater types.
Picture this, in our home state of Tennessee, summer days will reach temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures will only differ by 10-15 degrees.
However, if you are in Arizona for example, it may be upwards of 100 during the day and below 60 at night. This can cause quite a fluctuation in customer experiences. Similar to this is that a pool in humid climates will retain heat much better than that of a pool in a dryer climate.
More Information About Pool Heating Systems
There are many things to think about when choosing your pool heating system. Perhaps one type of pool heater stands out as the obvious choice. Maybe you will need a combination of two different systems to suit all your lifestyle needs.
If you need any more information about pool heating systems or help choosing the right system for you, please contact your authorised Compass Pools dealer. Their pool builders have extensive experience in installing pools in a wide variety of different locations and climates, so they will be happy to answer all your questions and help you make an informed choice about the most appropriate heating system for your pool.
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How Long Does It Take To Heat A Pool
It depends on the size of the pool. If you have a small spa, it may take almost 1 hour to rise its temperature around 11°C or 20°F. But if you have a large pool, then it may take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours to rise its temperate to 11°C or 20°F.
You can use this formulation to calculate the time:
# of gallons in pool X 8.34 = ___________ lbs. of water
______ pounds of water / BTU Size = The hours it takes to raise the water temperature by degree F
A Comprehensive Guide To Building Your Own Diy Solar Pool Heater
Owning a pool can be quite expensive, between all the chemicals, equipment, upkeep, and heating. In fact, heating alone can cause your swimming pool budget to balloon pretty quickly. A DIY pool heater powered by the sun could make these expenses less challenging, so read on to find out how you can create one yourself.
Also Check: How To Increase Cyanuric Acid In Pool
Pool Heating Systems: Which Should You Choose
When you are planning your backyard swimming pool, it is important to consider which type of pool heating system to choose. There are a number of different options available, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Heres what you need to know about the different types of pool heating to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Why You Need A Pool Heating System
All outdoor pools in Australia need a helping hand when it comes to heating the water. This is because pool water is not as warm as you might think. For example, a swimming pool in Melbourne is only likely to reach 16 or 22°C in the middle of summer.
Even if you live in one of the warmer regions of Australia, you will still need a pool heating system. The water might reach a temperature of almost 30°C at the height of summer, but during the winter months it could easily be 10 degrees cooler than this. You want to be able to enjoy your pool for most of the year, not just for the three or four months when the weather is at its hottest and you need to jump in the pool to cool off!
You also need to bear in mind that the suns rays hit the surface of the water, so this is always the warmest part of the pool. Even if it feels warm enough when you dip your toe into the water, the temperature beneath the surface is likely to be around three degrees cooler.
Remember, one of the main functions of having your own swimming pool in the backyard is to provide you with a place to relax. Cooler water might be bearable if you are constantly swimming laps, but if you want to take things a little easier sometimes, you need the water temperature to be comfortable. As a guide, public spas are heated to a temperature of 36°C. This is a water temperature in which most people can comfortably relax.
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Extend Washing Machine Hose
Another simple way to make a kiddie pool warm extremely fast is to fill it with hot water. You may need to add some cold to get the temperature right, but its easy.
You only need a couple of long hoses and an adapter piece that will connect the two.
Move your washing machine and turn off the hot tap. Then you connect one hose end to the indoor hot water line and place the other end in your kiddie pool.
Turn the hot water on, and presto, you have hot pool water. Be careful not to get burned and remember that your water heater will eventually run out of pre-heated water.
Wrapping Up Solar Pool Heaters And Covers
At this point, it should be clear that making a DIY pool heater is an excellent way to save some serious money when it comes to keeping your pool warm outside of peak season. Also, youll be helping to save the earth by using the natural power of the sun to replace the fossil fuels of the more traditional commercially-available pool heaters. Try out some options and see what works for you!
Also, have a look at our piece about running your swimming pool pumps with solar, and while on the topic of water, take a look at solar water heaters for the house and Hawaiis take on solar water heaters.
Let us know in the comments what you have done to help heat your pool and keep it warm!
Image Credits under CC License via Flickr: 1, 2, 3 & Graphics courtesy of Energy.gov
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How Warm Is Warm Enough
Everyone has their own preference regarding the temperature of their swimming water. Some want a temperature of at least 28 ° C, others are satisfied with a few degrees cooler. If you have a large swimming pool with a heat pump for example, then these extra few degrees on a yearly basis mean a lot higher energy bill.
So, try to find out for yourself what the ideal temperature is for you and what this may cost extra per year. With the SunnyTent, swimming water from mid-April to mid-September is almost always more than 25 degrees.
How To Warm The Kiddie Pool
Its simple to warm the kiddie pool, all you need is 2 garden hoses and possibly a pair of pliers.
The first step to easily warming the kiddie pool is getting access to the water hook-ups for your washer and dryer. This may require you to pull your washing machine away from the wall.
When you have access to the water hook-ups, turn off the hot water. Then remove the washing machine hose from the hot water hook-up. I like to place it inside my washing machine so I dont get water everywhere.
Replace the washing machine hose with a garden hose attached to the hot water hookup. Put the other end of the hose in the pool and turn on the hot water.
The water will most likely be really hot, so you will also want to add cold water with another garden hose or have the pool partially filled with cold water.
Make sure the kids know not to touch the hot water coming out of the hose. Depending on your hot water settings the hot water it could burn them.
Once the pool is filled as much as you would like and at that perfect temperature youre ready for a fun pool day. Now your little ones can enjoy playing in the pool and not freeze! Most hot days find me in the pool with my little man!
Dont have washing machine hookups? Dont worry there are several other ways to heat your inflatable pool.
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Helpful Tips To Know About How To Warm Up Kiddie Pool
Warming up a kiddie pool quickly doesnt need to be a headache. As you can see, there are plenty of methods that will accomplish this within minutes or hours, depending on how patient you are.
Here are more helpful tips to know about how to warm up a kiddie pool.
- Sun rings or lily pads, as they are sometimes called, will also help warm your pool using solar power. These are floating circles. You can also find them in heat squares, but the concept is the same, a sun-absorbing pool float that covers part of the pool and radiates heat into the water. Plus, they help prevent evaporation, which is a naturally cooling event.
- Dont limit yourself to just one warming method. By combining two or more of the ideas on the list above, you can keep your kids pool warmer for longer.
- Use a pool mat instead of a tarp or bare ground under your kiddie pool. A little bit of insulation goes a long way toward keeping the heat inside your pool water where it belongs.
How To Easily Warm The Kiddie Pool
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Have you seen all of the fun backyard pools? I love this time of year and going to the stores and seeing all of the spring and summer stuff. We have had a couple of different backyard kiddie pools since having the little man.
Last summer we had an inflatable Intex Pool. It was really easy to blow up and could be filled deeper.
It was large with plenty of space for multiple kids or a couple of adults to fit into the pool. I love that there are so many different sizes and types of pools, that should work for any size space.
Once you have your cute pool do you fill it with cold water straight from the hose? Or does filling the pool include hauling buckets of warm water from the bathtub or kitchen sink?
Maybe you fill the pool and let it sit in the sun for a day or two warming up. If your kids are older, they will play in the pool even if the water is cold.
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I have found that my toddler will only play in the pool for a few minutes when the water is cold before he is shivering.
After all the work to get him ready to play in the pool, a few minutes of playtime just wasnt cutting it for me.
Have you been wondering if there is an easy way to warm the Kiddie Pool water?
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Heating Your Swimming Pool With A Heat Pump
Solar energy pool heating makes you reliant on the amount of sunlight. A heat pump is therefore a perfect alternative that does not rely on the sun for energy. That is also why it has for years been the most popular pool heating system in Belgium.
Using a heat pump for heating your pool water in fact provides numerous benefits. A heat pump is highly efficient, economical, easy to use, and durable. This type of heating is much more environmentally friendly than a gas or fuel pool heating system. In addition, heat pumps have a long service life. If you want efficient pool heating, you should choose a high-quality heat pump.
Take Your Time To Wade Into The Cold Pool
Contrary to what is often believed to be a good practice, it is important that you resist the urge to dive into a cold pool. Instead, take your time and walk into the pool slowly. This will help prevent any cold-water shock. By going into the cold water slowly, you give your body the time it needs to acclimate. This may seem quite uncomfortable at first, but it is still much better than simply diving in and exposing your body to a sudden drop in temperature.
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Invest In Solar Panels
You can also try solar panels, either by themselves or in combination with a supplementary, traditional heat source.
‘The panels are operated by a separate controller that measures the temperature of the pool and the temperature of the air,’ explains SPATA. ‘This controller will normally ensure that pool water only flows through the panels when solar heat gains are available.
‘Standard pool solar collectors require a bank of panels that are normally over 50% of the surface area of the pool, depending on the location,’ the team continues. ‘Ideally, the bank should be optimized according to manufacturer’s instructions and are angled towards the sun.
‘It is possible that the distance between the filter pump and the panels may require a booster pump,’ they add. This may have to be taken into consideration when planning and siting such a system as part of your pool design ideas.
Solar panels can be arranged near your pool to help heat it
Ways To Warm Your Pool With Help From The Sun
Your pool is the best part of summer, and now you can use it sooner and longer each season. Here are three ways to use the sun to warm your pool water.
Solar pool heaters. Solar pool heaters are the most energy-efficient heating system for your pool. For many people, the environmental consideration alone makes solar heating desirable. The efficiency of the system is variable, however. You must have an area for your solar panels that has southern exposure for at least six hours per day. It must be unobstructed by trees or buildings.
The general rule of thumb is the surface area of your solar panels should equal 50-100% of the surface area of your pool. This can be less if you live in a warmer part of the country or if you purchase a high-efficiency system. Most people prefer to have the solar panels placed on a roof where they are safe from accidental damage, but they can be placed on the ground as long as exposure to the sun remains. Check with local building codes and covenants for any restrictions.
The reels come in the manual version or they can be plugged into a regular outlet and the cover is then rolled up with a push of a button. The thickness of the vinyl or plastic is also a consideration. The thicker the material, the stronger it will be and the more effective, but the cost will also increase. There are warranties for the covers also.
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Keep Swimming To Keep Your Body Warm
It is important to keep moving in the pool to retain your body temperature. Always remember that the body gets colder if the blood runs slower in your veins. If you stand still in the cold water, your heart rate will slow down, which will lead you to feel cold.
The key, therefore, is to keep the heart rate up. Swimming the whole time continuously while you are in the pool is one way to make sure that your body temperature does not drop.
Optimize Pool Mechanical Systems
A well planned pool pump and filtration system helps energy efficiency & saves money. Plan from the beginning for extra valves to be fitted in pipe runs so that additional pool heating systems like a heat pump or solar panels can be easily retrofitted or drained down for winterizing in the future. A little more thought at the planning and installation phase always saves money in the long-term and lets you fit the most efficient heating systems to your pool in the years ahead. Instead of the classic Army acronym 7P’s, perhaps we should remember Proper Planning Provides the Possibility of Peak Pool Performance?
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