Year-around pool heating

When can one determine that it is inefficient to have a pool heated year-around? I would like to see our pool heat cut off as it is costing us an arm and a leg. One or tw0 individuals living here, however, raise holy he-double hockey sticks if the thought of cutting off the heat is even mentioned. Believe me, the cost is horrific along with the cost of heating the hot tub 12 months of the year.

The first thing I think of is why would anyone have an outdoor pool that is heated year round? It would seem crazy to me, but that is me.

While I would agree that it seems a waste to heat a pool 12 months of the year, I am not in a position to make the choice. But one or two people should not be allowed to run the show. It is a democracy and the issue is one to which the entire organization should be involved. You may also want to investigate solar heating of the pools. Or to look into a ground source heat pump to heat the pool(s).

JohnK3: Are those panels that sit directly on the water.... Sorry.. I know nothing about the solar panels.... hopefully they would not sit on the water as that would not be allowed... sorry for being so dumb about that.

And solar panels should work better in Florida because the sun is higher in the sky in Florida than in northern states, especially in winter time. The energy reaching the earth from the sun is greater when the sun is higher in the sky.

Solar panels are also used to provide hot water, and even to heat homes.

Well, one thing for sure folks, this has to be a Board decision. So they does and the don'ts have to get together and try to substainiate their reasoning. The Board could do a survey, they can put it on the agenda for a Board meeting or call a special Board meeting. They should announce they will decide for the association at some given time, make their decision, allow for a very limited rebutal and do the deed. Good exercise to practice the democratic process.

Solar heating is one subject that I have access to great information as my Husband is a Solar Outdoor Lighting engineer and designer.

Most people never install it correctly and expect it to do heating beyond its capabilities. They install systems without going the extra mile to make it function at its maximum.

Collector panels MUST be facing the South for maximum exposure and collection (may vary by a few degrees.) There must be a battery system to store the energy and generate power to a pump or heat sorce. Most pool applications do not store the energy but pump hot water only when the sun has warmed the panels. Batteries must be replaced about every 5 years and they are not cheap.

Solar pool covers DO NOT heat the water except for a couple of inches of the top water. Their purpose is to keep the water temp from being lost in evaporation and exposure to the outside temps.

So Kevin, unless your association wants to spend some extra bucks to make Solar pool heat, I would say save your money. My rental association only heats the pool after the water temp drops below 80. Now all of you northerners will say--boy, that's pretty warm, but in Florida, it's not

Growing up (in Cheyenne Wy), the city pool was heated to 82 degrees year round. I believe that the pool in my high school was heated similarly. But I also recall swimming in a pool heated to only 70 degrees during the summer months.

That being said, I would not be likely to swim in a pool at that temp anymore. It has a lot to do with perspective.