PoolTemp

Swimming Pool Temperature

In February, 2003 the swimming pool heater thermostat at the Renaissance was lowered from 85 to 80 degrees. This resulted in some complaints from a number of residents. This is a summary of the considerations that led to the decision to lower the temperature.

Surprisingly, when you purchased your Renaissance Apartment, one of the provisions of the Condominium Declaration you were given, in a paragraph entitled "Outdoor Facilities", the Developer advised that "The swimming pool is not heated. Although the swimming pool will not be heated by the Developer, the swimming pool and pool equipment have been designed so that the pool can be heated should the unit owners subsequently decide to do so".

Of course, we all know that the Developer subsequently changed plans and included a gas-fired pool and spa heater as a part of the original pool equipment, but according to the condominium documents it wasn't a guaranteed feature at the Renaissance.

The pool water temperature was originally set by the Developer to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Spa temperature at 108 degrees F.

Early in 2003, after a significant increase in natural gas prices, and the turnover of the
Renaissance I Association from the Developer to an elected Board of Directors, it became evident that the cost of heating the swimming pool was a significant budget item that needed to be reexamined.

The Board of Directors reviewed the pool temperature policy to determine the best compromise between comfortable, safe pool temperature, and acceptable energy costs, and decided in February 2003 to lower the pool temperature to 80 degrees F.

A rule of thumb for gas-heated swimming pools is that for every degree of temperature one can reduce the pool heater temperature setting, there will be an energy cost savings of about ten percent (10%).

Energy costs for pool heating were reduced significantly after the thermostat setting was lowered from 85 to 80 degrees. Pool natural gas costs for March were less than half the $2986 January bill. Cost savings for April were equally as dramatic, validating the rule-of-thumb 10-percent cost savings for each degree the thermostat is lowered.

But the reduction of the pool temperature from 85 to 80 degrees resulted in inquiries and complaints from a small group of early morning swimmers who generally asserted that 80 degrees was too cool for their comfort. Interestingly, several other swimmers recently commented that when the pool temperature rose to above 80 degrees in April and May (because of warmer ambient seasonal temperatures) they thought the water temperature was too warm for comfortable swimming.

Based on the study that was conducted before the pool temperature was lowered from 85 to 80 degrees; the significant savings in energy costs that have accrued; and the lack of any significant reaction about pool temperature from the vast majority of owners; the swimming pool thermostat setting will remain at 80 degrees for the foreseeable future. Summer weather will raise the pool temperature to above 80 degrees, but the water temperature will not be allowed to fall below the thermostat set-point of 80.

Regrettably, there is not enough daily solar exposure in the pool area to justify the use of solar pool heating. Efforts are underway to investigate the use of electric heat pumps for supplementary heating of the pool water. If heat pump energy payback projections show sufficient savings to justify their purchase, then the Association may be able to seasonally adjust pool temperature in the future. The Association is also attempting to obtain a more favorable natural gas rate from our supplier.

What is the "ideal" swimming pool temperature? That depends. The American Red Cross recommends that for competitive swimming (exercising, competitions, and the like), the pool water should be 78 degrees F. The recommended range for "normal" recreational use is between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Children, and the elderly, according to the recommendation, may require "80 degrees or higher".

A check with the management of a major Sarasota area hotel chain indicates that they keep their swimming pool temperature at 78 degrees until May, when they turn off the pool heater for the summer.

Subjective "comfort" issues like the "ideal" swimming pool temperature, or the "most comfortable hallway temperature", can never be established so that they please everyone in a large condominium building. It is the responsibility of the elected Board of Directors to decide the best course of action based on budgetary considerations, safety and comfort, and overall owner preferences and priorities. Based on these considerations the Board intends to keep the pool thermostat at 80 degrees F., at least for the foreseeable future.

At a later date, if other energy-saving options become available (lower natural gas prices, heat pumps used to pre-heat water entering the pool natural gas heater) then the pool temperature issue can be revisited.

Charles Bubeck #811 May 8, 2003



		Swimming Pool Temperature In February, 2003 the swimming pool heater thermostat at the Renaissance was lowered from 85 to 80 degrees. This resulted in some complaints from a number of residents. This is a summary of the considerations that led to the decision to lower the temperature. Surprisingly, when you purchased your Renaissance Apartment, one of the provisions of the Condominium Declaration you were given, in a paragraph entitled "Outdoor Facilities", the Developer advised that "The swimming pool is not heated. Although the swimming pool will not be heated by the Developer, the swimming pool and pool equipment have been designed so that the pool can be heated should the unit owners subsequently decide to do so". Of course, we all know that the Developer subsequently changed plans and included a gas-fired pool and spa heater as a part of the original pool equipment, but according to the condominium documents it wasn't a guaranteed feature at the Renaissance. The pool water temperature was originally set by the Developer to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Spa temperature at 108 degrees F. Early in 2003, after a significant increase in natural gas prices, and the turnover of the Renaissance I Association from the Developer to an elected Board of Directors, it became evident that the cost of heating the swimming pool was a significant budget item that needed to be reexamined. The Board of Directors reviewed the pool temperature policy to determine the best compromise between comfortable, safe pool temperature, and acceptable energy costs, and decided in February 2003 to lower the pool temperature to 80 degrees F. A rule of thumb for gas-heated swimming pools is that for every degree of temperature one can reduce the pool heater temperature setting, there will be an energy cost savings of about ten percent (10%). Energy costs for pool heating were reduced significantly after the thermostat setting was lowered from 85 to 80 degrees. Pool natural gas costs for March were less than half the $2986 January bill. Cost savings for April were equally as dramatic, validating the rule-of-thumb 10-percent cost savings for each degree the thermostat is lowered. But the reduction of the pool temperature from 85 to 80 degrees resulted in inquiries and complaints from a small group of early morning swimmers who generally asserted that 80 degrees was too cool for their comfort. Interestingly, several other swimmers recently commented that when the pool temperature rose to above 80 degrees in April and May (because of warmer ambient seasonal temperatures) they thought the water temperature was too warm for comfortable swimming. Based on the study that was conducted before the pool temperature was lowered from 85 to 80 degrees; the significant savings in energy costs that have accrued; and the lack of any significant reaction about pool temperature from the vast majority of owners; the swimming pool thermostat setting will remain at 80 degrees for the foreseeable future. Summer weather will raise the pool temperature to above 80 degrees, but the water temperature will not be allowed to fall below the thermostat set-point of 80. Regrettably, there is not enough daily solar exposure in the pool area to justify the use of solar pool heating. Efforts are underway to investigate the use of electric heat pumps for supplementary heating of the pool water. If heat pump energy payback projections show sufficient savings to justify their purchase, then the Association may be able to seasonally adjust pool temperature in the future. The Association is also attempting to obtain a more favorable natural gas rate from our supplier. What is the "ideal" swimming pool temperature? That depends. The American Red Cross recommends that for competitive swimming (exercising, competitions, and the like), the pool water should be 78 degrees F. The recommended range for "normal" recreational use is between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Children, and the elderly, according to the recommendation, may require "80 degrees or higher". A check with the management of a major Sarasota area hotel chain indicates that they keep their swimming pool temperature at 78 degrees until May, when they turn off the pool heater for the summer. Subjective "comfort" issues like the "ideal" swimming pool temperature, or the "most comfortable hallway temperature", can never be established so that they please everyone in a large condominium building. It is the responsibility of the elected Board of Directors to decide the best course of action based on budgetary considerations, safety and comfort, and overall owner preferences and priorities. Based on these considerations the Board intends to keep the pool thermostat at 80 degrees F., at least for the foreseeable future. At a later date, if other energy-saving options become available (lower natural gas prices, heat pumps used to pre-heat water entering the pool natural gas heater) then the pool temperature issue can be revisited. Charles Bubeck #811 May 8, 2003