HEATING YOUR POOL
Your pool won¡¯t contribute to your health or pleasure unless it¡¯s warm enough to swim in
comfortably. Heating your pool will enable you to get the maximum value out of your
investment by allowing you to enjoy the most comfortable water
temperatures possible. How warm you keep your pool is, of course, entirely
up to you. Competitive swimmers prefer a temperature of 78 F while
recreational swimmers are generally more comfortable near 80 F, the
young and elderly closer to 82F. The sun alone usually can¡¯t keep your
pool water at that comfort minimum of 78 F. By having a heater to warm
your water, you can add substantially to the daily use of your pool and
extend your swimming season.
How long you can ¡°stretch¡± the swimming season depends on the climate in your area, the type
of pool heating system you use, and whether you use a pool cover. It¡¯s safe to say that in most
cases the swimming season can be doubled (or better) with a heater and cover. Heating your
pool won¡¯t only extend your season; it will allow you to swim more often ¡°in season¡±. Heaters are
sized mainly on the basis of the pool surface area and the difference between the pool and air
temperatures. Your
Pools & Spas A Go-Go professional will be able to guide you in selecting a
heater style and size for your needs.
The following tips will help you conserve energy and heat your pool more economically.
1. Keep a thermometer in your pool. It will accurately pinpoint the temperature most
comfortable for you.
2. Keep your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting. Each degree of more heat
than needed could add more to your monthly fuel cost and use up more energy than
necessary.
3. Mark the "comfort setting" on the thermostat dial. This will prevent accidental or
careless over-heating and waste of energy.
4. Lower the thermostat to 70 degrees when pool is to be unused for three or four days.
For longer periods, shut the heater off. You will save money on fuel consumption and
help conserve energy.
5. Protect your pool from wind. Wind above 3 to 5 miles per hour can lower the pool
temperature substantially. A hedge, cabana, or decorative fence can be an
effective windbreak.
6. Use a solar pool cover when the pool is not in use. This can reduce heat loss by as
much as 50%. If you are vacationing for a couple of weeks or shutting down for winter,
turn the heater off completely, including any pilot light. See Solar Covers & Reels for
details.
7. Drain heater completely prior to freezing weather. Freezing water inside of the heat
exchanger can result in costly repairs. Read heater owner¡¯s manual thoroughly.
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