Leaving an in-ground swimming pool open in the winter is pretty common in warmer areas, in which the climate rarely goes below 40 to 50℉. However, you can do this in colder regions, too – without or with the assistance of a pool heater. Leaving the pool open in the winter might sound appealing, yet it’ll come with a list of cons and pros.
PROS
View is Fantastic
A well-maintained pool may make any backyard look fantastic. Blue, clean swimming pools look a lot more welcoming than a winterized swimming pool that has a cover installed.
Swim When You Want
There isn’t any better way to get away from the wintertime blues than going for a swim in a warm pool. Most folks who leave their pool open all winter long also put in a heat pump or gas heater that allows for comfortable swimming all year long.
Swimming Pool is Easier to Keep Clean
Colder temperatures make it hard for algae to grow, which means you will spend less money on algaecide and chlorine through the winter season. All chemicals which get added are going to be well distributed because of the assistance of the pool pump.
CONS
No Vacation from your Pool
A correctly covered and winterized pool just requires the minimum for cleaning and maintenance. Winter is the ideal time to take a vacation from pool upkeep and concentrate on other tasks. But, if your pool remains open, you still will be frequently cleaning the pool, balancing the water at least one time a week and periodically replenishing its water level.
Energy Expenses Go Up
In the winter, the pool’s energy costs go up. You will have to install a freeze protection sensor for the pool pump, so that at any point the temperature dips below 40℉, the pump starts to run. It’ll keep the water moving so it won’t freeze and burst the pool plumbing. Heating is one other substantial energy expense source for an open winter swimming pool. Whether you are using electric, propane, or natural gas, that heat isn’t free! Utilizing a solar cover or additional kind of pool cover may assist in slowing the rate of evaporation and conserving heat energy to keep expenses down.
Some Equipment Will Not Work in Cool Temperatures
Lower water temperatures and cold air might render some of the equipment ineffective until the spring. For instance, heat pumps do not work well below 50℉, and salt chlorinators cannot produce chlorine if water temperatures dip below a specific point – typically 60℉. If you rely upon equipment that’s dependent upon temperature, you might want to utilize backup equipment in the colder season. Alternatively, you might winterize the pool later on in the season as these problems start to pop up. A late swimming pool closing and early swimming pool opening still permits maximum pool use and saves you a fair amount of money on energy expenses.
Determining if you should close your pool boils down to risk assessment and personal preference.
For more information on our Winnipeg pool safety cover services contact UV Pools today!