The water temperature in swimming pools is a very important and delicate parameter to control. Pool cooling and heating systems help set the water at the desired temperature, controlling it and managing it in the direction required. Depending on the type of pool, the surroundings, its frequent users, and many other factors, it is important to know which types of systems to use and their advantages.
What are the best types of pool cooling and heating systems for your swimming pool? From heat pumps to more innovative and aesthetic solutions like pool covers or water fountains, heating and cooling pool water can take many forms.
In this article we’ll cover:
- The importance of optimal management of pool water temperature;
- Cooling and heating solutions for your pool;
- Additional tips for keeping your pool at the right temperature.
In any aquatic facility, the water temperature is a key indicator of users’ comfort, influencing how your pool visitors enjoy themselves. Besides, the better maintained, the more efficient your pool systems will be — given that there will not be large swings in temperature to make up for. Finally, maintaining the pool at the right temperature affects the hygiene of your pool, which is paramount for health and safety.
What affects the pool water temperature?
Of course, there are many factors that influence the temperature of pool water. Some to take into account are:
- Location and atmospheric temperature. Pools located in warmer climates will need to be cooled down more often, and vice versa. Water heats up quickly, especially in summer conditions with over 30 degrees Celsius for several consecutive days, and when the pool is located directly in the sunshine.
- Evaporation. Temperature imbalances cause evaporation. Especially in hot and humid climates, water evaporates continuously, thus decreasing the volume of water and therefore its temperature. As the water evaporates, the bonds that hold the molecules together are broken and the temperature of the water decreases. Heat loss is also caused by the difference in temperature between water and air.
- New water supplies. If you top up the volume of water in your pool, either due to evaporation, this will bring down the temperature, triggering the need to heat or cool the pool.
- Usage. The more bathers enter the pool and move within it, the more water is splashed around and lost from the pool volume. This then leads to needing to top up the water, again decreasing the pool temperature.
- Weather changes. For example, rain over an uncovered pool will add water to it, decreasing the overall temperature.
For managing water temperature, eco-conscious heat pumps are always the best option. They are efficient and will allow for energy savings while providing additional benefits such as an extension of the bathing season in an outdoor pool. Also, it’s important that it operates in almost silence, that it adapts to current pool requirements and the possibility to integrate automated operation.
Here are some top choices:
- Zodiac 950
A new range of high-performance pumps, the Zodiac Z950 is silent and energy efficient, making use of the surrounding air for 80% of the energy used. It can operate down to -12 degrees C thanks to an optimised cooling circuit and intelligent defrosting mechanism. This easy-to-install Plug & Play solution also operates on five different power levels, up to 110 kW and 15 degrees C ambient temperature.
This type of heat pump suits in-ground, partially in-ground and above-ground pools equally, indoors or outdoors. It has a capacity of up to 110 m3. And it is also compatible with any type of water treatment.
- ProHeat II Chiller
For an outdoor solution, the robust ProHeat II Chiller features an axial ventilator to help heat swimming pools even during freezing ambient temperatures. It’s encased in a lightweight aluminium structure with magnesium anti-corrosion sheeting, and includes a high-performance evaporator coil made of copper tube and lacquer aluminium fins, especially designed for corrosive environments. This pump is also compatible with Fluidra Connect.
Apart from professional pool cooling and heating systems, there are additional tips and accessories you can use to better manage the temperature of your swimming pool. These include thermal pool covers and water fountains.
Thermal pool covers
This is a system specifically designed for preventing heat loss from pool water, keeping it warm while not in use. Thermal pool covers suit indoor and outdoor pools alike, minimising water evaporation, which is the biggest source of energy and heat loss in pools.
Water fountains
Fountains and waterfalls can be very efficient at cooling down a pool. The water movement caused by these systems leads to more water evaporation, and consequently to cool down the pool water.
The best way of using a water fountain feature is to operate it at night, taking advantage of the cooler air temperature which is then incorporated into the water movement. Additionally, a fountain or a waterfall can be a great aesthetic enhancement to your pool.
Using high-performance heat pumps and coolers, as well as thermal pool covers and / or water fountains and waterfalls, will help to maintain an ideal temperature in your pool. The advantages are numerous: pumps provide significant energy savings, while all these systems prevent water and temperature loss, further reducing consumption. Moreover, they are long-lasting, easy to integrate into an existing construction, and they can significantly extend the bathing season for outdoor pools.
To further boost the performance of your pool temperature solutions, new technology such as Fluidra Connect makes it possible to manage, automate and control the pool remotely, thanks to IoT technology that gives you real-time feedback on the parameters of the pool. You can also opt for using the InnfoPool application for real-time display of pool parameters, which provides information and peace of mind about the pool’s quality.