Nothing beats taking a dive into a cool swimming pool on a hot summer day or jumping into a warm one on a cold evening.
The pool temperature is a crucial factor you should never overlook. Depending on the weather and the swimmer's preferences, you need the water to be warm or cool enough to ensure maximum comfort.
As a pool owner, controlling your pool temperature will be an essential part of pool maintenance. However, there is more to pool temperature than just enhancing pool comfort.
Why Does Pool Temperature Matter?
Pool temperature is one of the main things that make a pool comfortable for swimmers. Although other things like the pool chemistry and sanitation also affect the level of comfort, the water temperature is what your body will react to most.
Another reason you need to keep an eye on your pool temperature is that some contaminants like algae and bacterial love high temperatures. Therefore, if you keep your water warmer than usual, you will likely have more algae bloom cases and bacteria infestations.
Ideal Pool Temperature for Different Pool Users
The ideal pool temperature largely depends on the user, and so as you regulate it, you have to know who will be using the pool. Here is a breakdown of different kinds of pool users and the ideal temperature for them.
1. Babies and Toddlers
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids can start swimming lessons when as young as four. What's more, babies younger than this can still enjoy the pool with close supervision.
However, you have to make sure the pool temperature is ideal for babies and toddlers. As expected, they need the water to be warmer than what many adults find optimal.
According to the Red Cross, any temperature between 90 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for babies and toddlers.
2. Beginner Swimmers
If you are starting out as a swimmer, a warmer pool will be ideal for you. A temperature of between 84 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit will be comfortable enough as you take your lessons.
The warmer water keeps new swimmers relaxed and comfortable, which contributes to quicker learning. The actual temperature will depend on the age of the beginner swimmer, but it will be between this range for most ages.
3. Completive Swimming Training
If you are competitive swimmer training for an upcoming competition or even just an athlete that prefers to have swimming as part of your training routine, cooler water is preferable.
Cooler pool water with a temperature of 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for this more intense swimming. The low water temperature will keep the swimmers cool so they can train longer with no breathing impairment.
Older people with problems like arthritis and those doing physical therapy require swimming pools with warmer water.
The warm water will alleviate joint pain, loosen the muscles and improve blood flow to ensure movement in the water is easier for seniors. Keeping the water temperature at 84 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal.
Other Benefits of Controlling Pool Temperature
Besides protecting the swimmers and making the water more comfortable, controlling the pool temperature has several other benefits.
1. Algae Control
Algae blooms are one of the most annoying problems that pool owners have to deal with because no matter how hard you try, it almost always comes back.
However, controlling your pool temperature can be effective at preventing the bloom and any future recurrences.
Algae thrive in warm water, and so when your water temperature goes beyond 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the pool becomes comfortable for them, which allows it to multiply.
If you keep the pool temperature low and combine it with regular pool shocking, you can minimize the likelihood of getting an algae bloom.
Read More: How to Get Rid of Algae in Pool
2. Boost Pool Sanitation
Keeping your pool water temperature constant can help boost your sanitation effort. Constant water temperature allows the retention of chlorine and other sanitizers to ensure your pool remains clean and sanitized.
Also, it can help ensure you maintain proper pool chemistry, so you do not need to keep balancing the water. For example, if you keep the water temperature low, you will minimize evaporation, and so you never have to refill the water and keep balancing chemicals often.
3. Saves Energy
Knowing your optimal pool temperature makes controlling it more straightforward, which in turn saves you money on heating costs.
Instead of running it throughout, you can set a timer to heat your pool water at specific times of the day to attain the specific temperature you want before getting into the water.
How to Measure Pool Temperature Accurately
Although most pool heaters will include a built-in thermostat to help you keep track of the pool water temperature, it is not always the most accurate. Therefore, the best way to measure your pool temperature is to invest in a separate pool thermometer.
You can get pool thermometers in digital, analog or infrared types. Infrared thermometers are the most advanced, but they can be pretty expensive and are not worth it for home users. Analog pool thermometers are cheap, but they are not always the easiest to read.
Therefore, digital pool thermometers are the best option for residential use. If you have a good model like the Inkbird IBS-P01R Wireless Pool Thermometer, you get something cost-effective, accurate and easy to use for measuring water temperature.
How to Control Pool Temperature
The best way to control your pool temperature is by investing in an efficient pool heater. With a powerful enough heater with the right capacity for your pool, you can raise the water temperature within a few hours.
For those who prefer to keep their water warm throughout without keeping the pool heater on, solar heating solutions are also quite effective. These solutions include things like solar pool covers, solar pool rings and liquid solar blankets.
Keeping the water temperature low seems easier than raising it, but it can also be quite hectic in the warm summer months. Some of the best ways to cool your pool water include running the pumps at night, installing water features and using mechanical evaporative chillers.
Even if you prefer to keep your pool water temperature as low as possible, it is vital to ensure it does not go below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature lower than this comes with serious risks like inability hyperventilation, cold shock and even death.
The ideal pool temperature for you depends on what you prefer, as some swimmers like cold water while others find warm water more comfortable. However, it also depends on other things like age, physical ability, swimming intensity and the weather.
As a swimmer, it is crucial to listen to your body as you are swimming. If you find the water too cold or too hot, it is better to stop swimming and adjust it first. Remember that your health and safety should always come first.