Pool Heat advice needed!

[timon711]

I notice most home rental companies/owners recommend pool heat from either Sept/Oct through April/May.

Last year, my family rented a pool home mid to late September and chose not to have the pool heated. We were happy with the water temperature. We swam only in the evenings after leaving the parks and found the water wasn't too cold.

Last year we were also fortunate enough to vacation in May, but stayed in a condo with a community pool which we didn't use. It was very hot and I am sure the pool would've felt good, but I just refuse to be seen in public in a swimsuit.

This year we will be renting a pool home from late April to early May. I fully intend to use it, mainly in the evenings but hopefully some during the day. I know DH won't go anywhere near the pool if it is too cold. I actually don't like warm water in a swimming pool and could tough it out if it were cooler than I like.


I would love to hear your opinions on pool heat during this time, do you think we will need it? Also, would like to hear what times of year you went when you chose to heat or not to heat.

Thanks in advance! All opinions are welcome!

 

[timon711]

Could a Moderator please move this to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum?

 

[CarolA]

Could a Moderator please move this to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum?

I was trying to figure out why this was here.

That said, PAY to heat the pool. If you don't in April it's very likely going to be too cool.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Could a Moderator please move this to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum?

Done!

 

[MercyMe]

Natural pool water temperature is mostly dependent on solar heat, not just the air temperature. Rainfall will also drop the temperature. If the pool isn't screened in and is in full sun, the water may be 80° or higher this time of year. If there's screening, trees or shade, the temperature may only be 70° to 79°, which isn't as comfortable as it sounds. The water temperature will drop a few degrees after nightfall, so also take that into consideration.

My pool isn't heated and partially shaded and runs about 76° right now. It's swimmable, but it takes a while to get acclimated...think tap water. DH won't get in until it climbs over 80°, preferably 85°.

The non-heated swimming months run from approximately late May to late September, but the weather changes every year, so that's just an estimate.

IMHO, you may want to opt for the heater instead of risking it. Ensure that you and your family will be able to enjoy the pool during your stay.

 

[Lucky4me]

It depends on how warm it is the few days prior to your trip and how much sun the pool gets during the day. It's a gamble the first part of April, but towards the end, I'd bet on it being warm enough especially if you are from the North. There are some people who consider 78 to be too cold to swim, we think it's like bath water.

 

[gqchicago]

We have our pool heat on typically through mid-end of May. If you set the thermostat correctly to your liking it doesn't need to be too warm either, if it's too warm for you ask the manco to turn it down a few degrees if you don't have access to the thermostat. (many are locked up)

The typical recommendation is Nov-April, but it all depends on the outside temperature.

Also, ask if the pool / home you're renting has a pool blanket. This keeps in the warm water at night when it gets cool or downright cold outside, the biggest contributor to heat loss. Some do, some don't, they keep the pool warm and save energy, important to use it if the home does have one.

Most of the pool heaters pull heat from the air and exchange it into the water, it's not heated per se like, say, a stove, unless they specifically have an electric or gas heater (these are rare cause they cost a ton more to run). If it drops below 50 degrees outside, say, on a cold night, then this type of heater won't heat at all, which is a 2nd reason the pool blanket can be important, so you don't lose all of the built up heat.

 

[timon711]

Thanks for the replies! I am still torn. DH now says he would like to take early morning swims! He really is wimpy when it comes to cold water.

The info you have provided is great, I had no idea how pool heat works, I admit I thought of it like your hot water heater in your house.

I have been told it is a south facing pool and it does appear to be screened. I hadn't thought of asking about a solar blanket, but will do so.

Thanks again, Disers!

 

[snowbunny]

We didn't pay to heat the splash pool last July, didn't think we'd need it. My kids only went in a couple of times even though outside it was sweltering. They said it was the coldest pool they'd ever been in.

 

[isla bonita]

Thanks for the replies! I am still torn. DH now says he would like to take early morning swims! He really is wimpy when it comes to cold water.

The info you have provided is great, I had no idea how pool heat works, I admit I thought of it like your hot water heater in your house.

I have been told it is a south facing pool and it does appear to be screened. I hadn't thought of asking about a solar blanket, but will do so.

Thanks again, Disers!

Ask the owner if the pool heat can be turned off if you try the pool in the early morning and you feel it is to hot?

 

[twinmom1998]

We were in Windsor Palms the end of May last year and paid for the pool heat. It was worth every penny. You could just walk into the pool which was like bathwater. My kids don't have any fat on them and they love'd it. They started the heat before we got there so it was warm on our arrival. If the pool had been cool or cold we wouldn't have used it nearly as much. Why risk it?

 

[Chrisinroch]

If you want, you could wait til the week before you arrive and check the weather. Call up the management company and add the pool heat if you want.