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 Where does all the heat GO?

In-Ground Pools

On in-ground pools the main heat loss is from the pool surface, the windier the more the heat loss, as the wind ripples the water surface which doubles the surface area therefore doubles the loss.

A good solar cover put on the pool when not in use is very effective it insulates, stops the ripple problem and collects solar gain, the qualities vary greatly ( you get what you pay for is probably right). On a sunny day it will feel quite warm under the cover with collected heat.

If there is a high water table there is a lot of heat loss through the walls of panel pools. Pollypool make a thermally insulated system that is worth a look. www.polypool.co.uk

Pool pipe work loses a lot of heat especially in wet ground. It is important to insulate it. There will probably be between 60-100mts of pipe on a garden pool.

The fact that ground sourced heat pumps can collect heat with a 10°C differential, pool pipes are twice the size and operate at 20°C difference to the ground temperature there must be a loss if you are going to have a new pool built ask for them to be insulated all the pipes with a closed cell lagging.

Leaving the pump on for extra filtration will cool the pool down via the pipework there are times that you will need longer filtration but do use a time switch when you can.

The ground water table is the big problem in loss of heat from a pool. Insulation put round a pool during construction will always be worth doing.

Of course there is heat loss through the floor of the pool, again insulation is always a good thing if your pool has not yet been built.

Reduced overall running costs can be achieved with a smaller pool and a large swim jet to give good exercise

Above Ground Pools

These are always difficult to heat as there is no insulation and the heat is lost through the walls. The wind is the major problem, on a warm day in a sheltered location they can be heated with an 6KW heater, however I have seen a 15 ft pool on a windy beach side location with a 15KW heater not gaining heat.

If there is a side of the pool not seen from the house any insulation can be used, there are several ways to insulate the side panels
Solar heating is probably the most cost effective way to heat this type of pool .

Timber above ground pools do give good side wall insulation and are worth considering examples of this type can be seen at www.bzc.co.uk

Roger Caplin