Question on pool homes

[kksmom92]

Just looking for some advice. We have our houses narrowed down, but are unsure yet just because we don't know for sure due to the pool.

If you had your choice... would you pick a home that cost $100 more if it was heated with gas vs another home that heats with electric, but does have a cover?

That's our delima. They are both in the same area (One in Sandy Ridge, one in Pinewood Country Estates.. give or take 5 minutes)

Last year we rented a home in Sandy Ridge and loved the area (the drive to Disney was a piece of cake) but the pool was heated with electric and didn't have a blanket so it always seemed chilly. Sometimes we would come home for lunch and it would just be starting to warm up and then by the time we got home at night the heater would be turned off and starting to cool down.

This year we have a couple free days where we won't be doing Disney & our plans are to hang out at home and enjoy the pool, so we want it to be nice and warm where the kids teeth aren't chattering.

Do you think we should be ok with an electric heater if it has a cover? Or should we play it save and go with the home with the gas heater?

Oh yeah... we are going in Feb. (Feb 7-14th)

Thanks in advance for your advice!!

 

[kty]

Gas will definitely heat the pool faster, but the cover will keep the heat in the pool. Once the pool is brought up to the temp that it should be, the cover should keep it that temperature. It may take a day or so to bring the pool up with the electric heater, depending upon whether the family before you had the heater on.....so, it depends if you need it heated quickly, or you can wait. If you plan on using the pool the first day you arrive, i would go with the gas.

 

[TC1026]

Gas or electric may not matter...the development my house is in (Windsor Palms) only has electric...so my pool is heated with electric. In January08 we where there and it was hot at 1 am ...the heat stays on and I don't have a cover. I would pick a house that you like and just make sure that the pool is heated! Also, depending on when you go, say July, you will not need heat for the pool...you may need ice cubes!!

Good Luck with the hunt! Google: Mick-ease

 

[isla bonita]

The pool should be heated and stay the same temp. which ever heat source you are using it is the temp., how long the heat is on for, if they have a solar blanket to keep in the heat that will factor in.

I can not imagine haveing a pool with out haveing a pol blanket in the cooler months. The heat and money you save by using one is incredible.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Maybe the home you were in the 1st time had their heater on a timer to cycle on and off??
We've rented pool homes 5x and always had electric heat that was toasty warm. We could swim at night at even see steam come off the water a little. We've never had a pool blanket but it sure makes sense.
Where is Sandy Ridge? Are they older homes?

 

[kksmom92]

The home was a newer home, but they did have it set on a timer. (I don't remember the hours)

Every house we have looked at closely so far has them all set on timers. (from 8am-8pm) I wish I could find one that had the heat on all day/night with a blanket, then I wouldn't have to be such a worry wort.

 

[kilee]

I honestly think once it's heated it will not be a problem. Since you don't have to pay the utility bill, even better. I think you'll be okay either way. Go w/ the house you like best.

 

[Yoga Deb]

If the homes are equal in every other way then I personally would pay $100 extra and go with the gas heat at the time of year you are going.
February weather can be changeable. Electric heaters are very efficient and heat a pool very well if set to a reasonable temperature, on for a reasonable amount of time each day and covered when not in use and overnight. Occasionally, though if the outside temperatures drops below a certain level (and it does not happen very often at all in Florida) the electric pumps may not work but the gas pumps will, TBH if the temperature does drop below this level and the pool is still warm you will probably still not use the pool because the outside temperature is just too cool for swimsuits, but if your kids are pool crazy (like mine used to be!!) they will endure zero degrees!! and the extra $100 will be well worth it!

Unfortunately, it would just cost too much gas or electric to have the pool heater on 24/7 and even if the renter offered to pay the extra, some communities HOA's would not allow it as there are quiet times written into the covenants (eg 9pm til 9am). Most people don't notice the noise of a pool heater in the day but at night!!

However, if the home with the electric pool heater was better for your party in some other respects than I would not let the electric heater put you off, just ask what the temperature it is set to and what hours it operates. I would suggest you should be looking for something set to at least 85 degrees (although I'm sure others would say even higher, I believe most hotels don't heat their pools to nearly this warm) and on for at least 8 hours a day.

Which ever you choose, hope you have a great vacation

 

[Yoga Deb]

sorry duplicate post

 

[kksmom92]

I just thought I would update with what we did. We did end up finding a house in our price range that had the electric heater with a solar cover and it was great! We are already booked for the same house this coming up Feb!! Thank you for all your advice!