keeping pool open in winter

Keeping your pool open during the winter eliminates any need for a cover, which can save you up to $3000 for the actual cover and $800 on pool opening/closing and cover-related services. Energy Awareness Month – 7 Ways to Save Around the Pool, Has Fall Landed in your Pool? You may find you enjoy looking out at the water even during the winter. It is a gentle easing in to the adrenaline rush of winter swimming. Pros of Keeping Your Pool Open During the Winter. They can also be installed to run your pool heat pump automatically too. Shut Down Water Features If you want to keep swimming longer this year, my advice is – just keep swimming! If you leave the pool open year-round, you won’t have to worry about pool closing OR pool opening expenses. Our freeze guard feature allows pool and spa owners to set a desired temperature at which the pump and heater will automatically kick on, keeping the water circulating throughout the pipes. (Don’t want to do all that work? States that aren’t hit by severe winter weather at an advantage when it comes to holiday party locations. Winter pool chemicals, winter covers, safety covers and cover accessories (water weights, … If you want to keep your pool open during the winter months, then you have to keep your pool pump running. If there’s ever a power outage during freezing temperatures, you risk extensive damages to your plumbing and pool equipment if the lines are not winterized quickly. Many might think that keeping the pool running through the winter will cause the filter and pump to have a shorter lifespan. During the cold winter months pool water tends to stay clear with very little help. If you’re lucky enough to keep your pool open year-round – you still have some work to do. One of the most commonly asked questions we get in the spring is “how do we clear up this swamp water in our pool?” Clearing up your pool water after a long winter can be more frustrating than realizing you are out of coffee on a cold day, but it doesn’t have to be. The cons: One of the biggest cons to keeping your pool open during the winter is the risk of damage to pool equipment. But it’s possible to do this in cooler climates, as well – with or without the help of a pool heater. When you leave your pool uncovered, it is subject to the elements and this can affect the chemical balance of the water. Keep reading to learn how. If you’re keeping your pool open during winter, then keep your valves open too. They’re easy to remove, lightweight, and quick to set up. Those living in colder climates should take extra precautions to prevent freezing damage to their plumbing and equipment, but these precautions are sometimes more of a hassle than closing the pool altogether. Some Equipment Won’t Work in Cold Temperatures. The water needs to stay clean and balanced. While you CAN cover your pool during the winter, you don’t have to in order to keep it open. We'll make it truly easy: Yes, you can maintain your swimming pool open throughout the winter months. I can see leaving them open if you live somewhere where it is warm enough to swim, but we won't be swimming past October (even though we have a heater). So how do you keep your pump running and prevent freeze damage while you’re away? Cooler temperatures make it difficult for algae to grow, meaning you’ll spend less money on chlorine and algaecide through the winter months. AquaComfort Pool Heat Pump Service & Support, AquaComfort Vintage Classic Series (2003-2010), Pool Heater Sizing | Pool Heat Pump Sizing | Savings Calculator, 9 Ways Owning a Pool Heat Pump Improves Your Health & Your Life, How To Clean Your Pool Deck & Everything Around It, When To Replace Your Pool Cartridge Filter, Pool Heat Pump Repair | Pool Heater Repair, Energy Saving Tips For Your Swimming Pool, With heated water, keeping your pool open during the winter means a longer swim season. IF you’re keeping your pool opening during the winter, then getting an automatic timer is a smart investment. Pumps have seals, those seals do not like to be dry. The short answer: To protect your investment. If you take the right precautions, have regularly scheduled maintenance, and keep an eye on things, keeping your pool open through the winter can be a totally viable option. The point of running your pool pump in the winter is to keep your water moving, which prevents it from freezing should temperatures get too low. Alternatively, you could winterize your pool later in the season once these issues start popping up. Preparing the pool for winter: ... making it easier to open next spring. Keeping Your Pool Heated. If you still plan to swim in your pool during the winter, use a solar cover. Not using a pool heater in extremely cold temperatures also has its own risks. Fortunately, pool owners in sunshine states find other ways to put their pools to use in the winter, and discover many benefits! To keep your pool sanitized during the winter, buy a gallon of liquid chlorine or granular chlorine powder. Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. This is probably the biggest downside of leaving a pool open year-round. But if you’ll only be keeping your pool uncovered on occassion, consider a more permanent winter cover or safety cover. It’ll save you time, keep your equipment safe, and prevent freezing. In area where the water is soft ensure your calcium hardness level is to a minimum of 200ppm ; Check the pH level and ensure the level is 7.6-7.8, slightly higher than normal. Generally algae does not appear and I hardly ever see a pool turn green. So basically, everyone reading this post. In some parts of the US, winters can reach temperatures below zero. Make sure the algae doesn’t take advantage of your lack of use during the winter. For example, heat pumps don’t work well below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and salt chlorinators can’t generate chlorine if water temperatures drop below a certain point – usually 60 degrees. Pets and children can still end up in the water if they walk on the cover. This can lead to damage to the gaskets a… However, since weather can be unpredictable, if you plan to keep your pool open during the colder months, you must keep your water heated well above freezing temperatures. If you're keeping your swimming pool open throughout wintertime, take into consideration: The typical… But if you’re an avid swimmer, keeping your pool open (and heated) during the winter makes it even easier to enjoy the water and keep up with your workouts, Remove drain plugs on the pump, heater, and filter, Turn off the breaker (power down the pump and heater). Automatic timers with freeze protection turn your pump on and off for you, both on a schedule, and whenever temperatures reach a pre-set limit. So unless you plan to also run your water features whenever you run your pump, it’s usually best to close the valves, turn them off, and keep them winterized. Even if your winters get as cold as 60 degrees, a pool heat pump can keep your water warm and swimmable. It’ll keep it clean, and prevent heat from escaping, both of which save you time and money (lowers energy costs). Put your winter debris cover on the pool to keep as many leaves out as possible. Depending on the quality, grade, and type of cover you purchase, it can easily outweigh the cost of chemicals. You’ll also need to keep your water balanced and adjust pool chemicals. Trying to keep your pool open during winter? Some of the things that you need to do prior to winterising your pool: Remove solar cover, clean and store away. Any chemicals that do get added will be well distributed thanks to the help of your pool pump. While this may not be a big deal, it’s still important to remember and prepare for. Here's a quick video for everyone who's keeping their pool open this winter to protect their pool from freezing You do not want it dangling in the water. Covering it periodically can help improve heat retention and cleanliness. Not having to reopen your pool in the spring may be one of the biggest benefits of keeping your pool open throughout the winter. Always tension it as tight as possible. Leaving a pool open for winter might work out great for one person, but closing the pool could work better for their neighbor next door. This is targeted more towards those living in colder climates. Plus, aside from removing leaves in late autumn, the lack of winter plant growth means less organic debris will be falling in the pool. Of course, you’re probably not going to be standing by your pool all day with a thermometer. Also, while there is standard maintenance throughout the winter, you will avoid the extensive spring cleaning since algea and water chemistry won’t have to be rebalanced after the long winter. We know, it’s a bit of a chore, but it’s worth it to enjoy your pool through the winter without worry. Even on days where the air is too cold to enjoy the pool or spa, there is an aestic … But your water features, like the fountain and waterfall are a different story. A late pool closing and early pool opening still allows for maximum pool usage, and will save you quite a bit on energy costs. Does everyone "close" their pools in the winter if they are not swimming? This winter, take the party outside by hosting a safe gathering that highlights your backyard space and puts your sparkling pool … If you choose to run your salt generator anyway, you risk causing serious damage to it. Costs . Fortunately, this isn’t hard to do…provided you know what you’re doing. The only time you should close your valves is if you happen to lose power (more on this later). So ideally, run your pump (and keep it running) whenever temperatures start getting close to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the freezing point of water. In these areas, while solely running your pump will help prevent freezing, it won’t stop all of it. If you are undecided on what sort of heating system to use for your pool in the winter, here is a comparison of your options. Without a safety cover to act as a protective barrier, it can be tempting for young children and pets to try and stand on this fragile layer of ice – it’s a recipe for disaster. In the winter, you should balance your pH, pool water weekly at a minimum; spa users are recommended to check their water chemistry every two to three days. During winter, your pool will require fewer chemicals, but it’s still important to monitor your pool’s chemistry. If a winter storm causes you to lose power, here’s what to do to keep your pool safe: 7 Ways Pool Heater Maintenance Saves You Money, Medallion Energy 151 Baywood Ave. Longwood, FL 32750 407-786-0000, Hours Mon-Fri: 8am – 7pm Saturday: 9am – 5pm Sunday: By Appointment, Service Areas Anywhere in the United States and throughout Florida.Orlando, Longwood, Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, St Cloud, Tallahassee, Daytona Beach, Davenport, Windermere, Clearwater, and the rest of North, South, and Central Florida, Do These 10 Things Before Opening Your Swimming Pool, Pool Stain Removal 101 | A Quick Guide To Removing Pool Stains. Remember to: Skim your water at least 2-3 times a week; Brush the walls at least 2 times a week; Vacuum at … For many, listening to the moving water of the pool is peaceful and relaxing. There are several possibilities for keeping your pool at a comfortable temperature – even year-round depending on how the winter season plays out. They usually run on their own pumps and set of pipes. Because nearly every pool owner’s biggest fear is waking up to a frozen swimming pool. If you’re reading this, then you’re probably deciding what to do with your pool in the winter. Keep the algae away or you may find yourself with a mess to clean up during the spring. Most people who leave the pool open all winter also install a gas heater or a heat pump to allow for comfortable swimming year-round. Let's take a look at some of the benefits first. Keeping your pool open throughout the winter months is doable, it just takes a bit of special care. Will keeping the pool open all year wear out my pump or filter? This prevents freeze damage and protects your pool system, but it also means a bit more energy use. This is our first season with our new pool, and we live 70 miles from the coast in South Carolina. In these cases, we advise running your pool heater to keep your water in at least the 40s. Related: Quick Guide To Swimming Pool Covers. A well-kept swimming pool can make any backyard look good. However, I also have an autocover that I’m considering using in the winter (discussed in another post) and I’m evaluating all options. But we’ll get into that shortly. This includes balancing your water, cleaning your filter, and maintaining your pool equipment. Yes, you will purchase more chemicals and use more electricity during these months, however, keeping your pool open also forfeits you from purchasing a safety or winter cover. Whether you’re using natural gas, propane or electric, that heat (unfortunately) is not free! However, owning a pool in winter can be a hassle without a heater. I choose to swim without a wetsuit, but whether you wear neoprene or not autumn swimming is a glorious experience and one of the ways I cope with the end of summer. Most pool owners might assume that this also means a lot more money for chemicals. Keeping a Pool Clean & Enjoying Your Pool On the other hand, you’ll spend less on chemicals, since they last longer in colder temperatures. Also, consider that features made out of mortar or stone can suffer from micro freezing whenever water gets into the smaller cracks and crevices. When it comes to pool maintenance, keeping your pool open in the winter is just like any other time of year. The common wisdom is to buy a $5k winter cover and winterize the pool. Using a solar cover or other type of pool cover can help you slow the rate of evaporation and conserve heat energy to keep the costs down. Anticipate to spend a few hundred bucks in power throughout the cold weather. But if you live somewhere with milder winters, then keeping your pool warm during the winter is a great way to extend your swim season. In this market, we can really keep it open and from the experts, it is better for your pool equipment. Hot Tub Covers & Year-Round Outdoor Spas – Cover Smart. To balance your water, adjust your pool chemicals in the following order: Related: Balance Your Pool Water In 7 Easy Steps. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pool open during the winter. While it may not be warm enough to swim in, you’ll still be able to keep the pool open without having to worry about accidental damage. In addition, use an algaecide to kill any existing algae and prevent new blooms during the winter. This is an absolute must for maintaining good water flow and avoiding any freeze damage. No, we’re talking about leaving a pool in fully operating condition, with all pool equipment hooked up and the maintenance schedule staying pretty much the same year-round. Save Money on Closing and Opening. Even though keeping a pool open for winter means maintaining it all season long, the weekly cleanings will be much less time consuming than the preparations involved in closing the pool down completely and then having to reopen it again for the spring and summer. Trying to maintain your swimming pool open throughout winter months? We’re often asked – if I’m not swimming in my pool, even though it’s open year-round, why do I have to maintain it, other than an occasional cleaning? At least half of the pool owners who close their pools in the winter, end up dealing with algae in the spring. This leaves filters and pumps to sit dry for months each year. Don’t run the risk of ruptured pipes or … Using winter algaecide is another good idea. This keeps the water moving so it doesn’t freeze and burst your pool plumbing (bringing even more expenses your way). If you rely on equipment that is dependent on temperature, you may want to use backup equipment (such as a chlorine floater or supplemental gas heater) during colder months. Leaving an inground pool open during winter is fairly common in the sunbelt, where the climate rarely dips below 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if the pump is running 24/7 and the water is circulating, the surface of the pool can still freeze over when conditions are right. Any algae growth that does occur is extremely slow. A pool that is properly winterized must have all of the equipment and lines blown out and winterized. The same applies to pool opening chemicals, supplies and services. Premier Pools and Spas explains this to our customers by giving them the example, say you’re parking your car for the winter, then expecting it to run great when cranking it up after it’s been sitting for a few … Related: 9 Ways Owning a Pool Heat Pump Improves Your Health & Your Life. Most people who leave the pool open all winter also install a gas heater or a heat pump to allow for comfortable swimming year-round. 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