Everybody looks forward to pooling season. The weather is warm, the sun is shining and there is no shortage of happy smiles with beautiful flowers. Both adults and children enjoy this time of the year and always find time for water play. And sadly, the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” It is true that pool season doesn’t last forever, but there are some things that you can do to extend it and take advantage of those carefree pool days a little bit longer. And who doesn’t want that? Whether you swim for leisure, exercise, or sport, it’s a great way to pass the time and get some much-needed activity in. Check out our list of ways to prolong pool season. If you’re lucky, you might be able to add months to your pool use.
1. Heat Pump
What makes pool heat pumps so appealing to pool owners is the ability to use them to heat the water on-demand to your desired water temperature. And it doesn’t matter whether the sun is shining or if the weather is chilly. Heat pumps are efficient and they provide consistent water temperature throughout the entire pool. Depending on energy costs in your area, a heat pump can be more costly than some other type of pool heaters, but the results they yield are consistent, fast, and less harmful to the environment than some of the other options. Heat pumps are easy to use, and certain brands will even allow you to cool down your pool water when the sun has heated more than you prefer. Heat pumps are most often used in climates that don’t see freezing temperatures.
2. Solar Covers
There are two types of solar covers. Both are very effective and do a good job of heating your water as long as there is enough solar energy to be captured. Although solar covers don’t exactly provide on-demand pool heating, they are far more effective than not. The more popular solar cover is more like a blanket that needs to be placed on the pool, so you won’t be able to use it while the heating occurs. Liquid solar covers are becoming more and more popular because they allow you to use the pool as it is heating. To use a liquid solar cover, just add the chemical to your pool water once a week to heat water while simultaneously reducing evaporation. Liquid covers create an invisible barrier that reconstitutes itself when the water settles.
3. Solar Rings
Solar rings are a great alternative to solar covers or solar heaters for shed. They do the same thing as solar covers, but they allow you to use your pool as it is heating. Solar rings are large circles made from UV-resistant vinyl that float on the surface of the water. They do not provide as consistent of warming as full-size covers do, but they do allow you to multitask. Solar rings capture the warmth of the sun and direct that heat into your pool water. One of the best things about solar rings is that they come in a variety of diameters and they often are very pleasing to the eye. You’ll find all kinds of fun designs on them from sunbursts and other eye-catching designs to tie-die.
4. Enclose Your Pool
It is possible to make your outdoor pool more like an indoor pool with an enclosure or dome. Swimming pool enclosures are a great way to extend your family’s swimming season and to make just about any weather, pool weather. In addition to prolonging your season, a pool enclosure also helps you to keep a cleaner pool by greatly reducing the amount of debris that can get into the water. Not only does an enclosure keep debris and weather out, but it also traps the heat in to create a warmer ambient temperature as well as warmer pool water. Pool enclosures can even be custom-made to fit the shape of your pool.
5. Gas Heater
Using a gas heater is the most efficient way to heat a pool, however, it is also the most expensive method. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, then a gas heater may not be the best choice for you, but these types of heaters are very good at their job and give great results. They work by heating the water before it even enters your pool using natural gas or propane. Employing a gas heater can raise the water temperature by 30 degrees even. Gas heaters are best suited for colder climates, so if you have a very short pool season, gas may be the best way to go.
6. Patio Heater or Fire Pit
Installing a fire pit or patio heater won’t do anything to warm up your pool water, but it is a most excellent way to increase the comfort of your outdoor pool area, making it much more comfortable to use as the weather starts to take a turn for cooler temperatures. Fire pits can be stationary or fixed. They also come in a wide array of sizes and styles. Build your own with just a few basic materials or buy one that only requires five minutes’ worth of assembly. Either option allows you to heat the area, grill small amounts of food, or roast marshmallows. Likewise, adding a patio heater increases the comfort of your outdoor space. They can be powered by propane, electricity or natural gas. So consider the amount of space you want to heat before choosing one.
Now that you’ve got a few suggestions on how to make some of the magic of pool season last a little bit longer, it’s time to make it happen. Your house is sure to become the place to be if you successfully prolong your season. There are many cost efficient ways beyond the black garden hose trick that only successfully works on small above ground pools on warmer days. Don’t hesitate to do a little research on these ideas to create the outdoor living space that you’ve always dreamed of.
