In certain regions of the U.S., swimming pools have the ability to heat up to a terribly uncomfortable temperature during the summer season and sometimes spring. If you are a lucky person to live in one of these regions, then you are probably wondering the best way to cool down your swimming pool. In order to help get your swimming pool to a cool refreshing temperature, we can provide you with some helpful tips to achieve just that!
Tip 1: Run Your Swimming Pool Pump During Evening and Night Hours
It is possible to cool the temperature of your swimming pool, by circulating your pool’s water during the night. Even though it might just be a few degrees, it will make a difference during the day.
Does your swimming pool have any water features, such as fountains, waterfalls, etc.? If so, you can also run these at night to help accelerate the cooling process of your swimming pool.
Another option is to install specialized misting bars on your swimming pool wall returns. Misting bars can enhance evaporation, thus cooling your swimming pool. It’s important to keep in mind that this process results in water loss from all of the evaporation. This in return requires you having to add new water on a regular basis to your swimming pool.
If your swimming pool has a solar heating system, it might be a good idea to run it at night to further the cooling. As the swimming pool water passes through the solar panels, heat radiates into the cool tempered sky, which in turn lowers your swimming pool temperature.
The advantages of running your swimming pool pump at night are simplicity and affordability. Some disadvantages are extended run times of the pool pump, minimal decrease in pool water temperature, and the inability to control or maintain the swimming pool’s water temperature. Plus, it’s a requirement to add new, regular water due to the evaporative water loss.
Tip 2: Install a Mechanical Evaporative Cooler
A mechanical evaporative cooler is installed into your swimming pool plumbing system after your pump and filter and before your salt chlorine generator is installed. These coolers use fans to cool your swimming pool’s water as it travels through the evaporative cooler system. By using an evaporative cooler during the evening hours, it’s possible to lower your swimming pool’s water temperature by up to 10°F (6°C).
The advantages of having a mechanical evaporative cooler include: significant decreases in your pool’s water temperature and it has a relatively low initial and operating cost. Some disadvantages include: extended run times of your pool pump, an inability to control or maintain your swimming pool water’s temperature, regulatory water additions because of evaporation, and a susceptibility to corrosion when exposed to salt-water swimming pool chemicals.
Tip 3: Install a Reverse-Cycle Swimming Pool Heat Pump
A reverse-cycle heat pump is installed in your pool plumbing system after your pump and filter and before any salt chlorine generators. These heat pumps use a refrigerant to maintain a specified swimming pool water temperature. They do this by running either a heating or cooling cycle. Some reverse-cycle heat pumps only have an on/off switch, while other models can switch between heating and cooling cycles.
Advantages of having a reverse-cycle heat pump are an ability to heat and cool your pool on demand; they are affordable, and resistant to corrosion when exposed to salt-water swimming pool chemicals. There are some disadvantages, and these are high initial costs and a higher operating costs as compared to a mechanical evaporative cooler.