TIP Cost-Efficient Heating for your Pool Provided

Many pool owners tell us that they really enjoy the experience of a warm pool, but the cost of heating a pool can be significant even with a highly efficient system like a Heat Pump Pool Heater (HPPH).

Here are six methods that will help. Each pool environment is different, and while the value of each method is universal, they are not all universally applicable to a particular pool.

1 | Solar heating is essentially free (there are some small increases in the cost to pump the water through the large solar panels, but it is minimal). The downside of solar is that it rarely meets the needs for a full season of heating demand, or it fails to provide heat fast enough or when the sun isn’t shining. But when solar is available and you have the budget to purchase a solar system with a Heat Pump Pool Heater backup, you can have the best, most economical system available.

2 | If you have a Heat Pump Pool Heater (HPPH) system only, the time of day that you run your HPPH is a system operation parameter you should address. HPPH’s get their heat from the air. So, logically, the best time to run a HPPH is when the air temperature is at its warmest. As long as your filtration is running at the warmest time of the day, your HPPH will operate at its optimum Coefficiency of Performance (COP). COP is the measure of energy output divided by energy input.

3 | And speaking of COP…the COP is the efficiency rating of the HPPH. As mentioned in item 2, this measure of efficiency changes as the air temperature changes. The unit is more efficient the warmer the air temperature. Another aspect of COP to consider the overall COP rating as applied to the individual model of HPPH you purchase. Not all HPPHs are created equal. If we do a comparison of HPPHs and assume all have the same heating capacity, or BTUh, you will find a variety of COP ratings available on the market. The higher the COP rating, the more efficient the HPPH will be. The percentage difference between one COP rating and another will equate to the percentage savings available between the lower and higher rated COP heater. This means you should buy the highest COP-rated unit your budget allows while making sure the model you select has the capacity, or BTUh, to meet your heating demand. Your Pool Professional can help you with this decision process.

4 | Controlling evaporation. Heat loss on any pool, heated by any means, is primarily driven by evaporation from the surface of the pool. Upwards of 75% of heat loss is through this method. So controlling that evaporative loss is key to reducing heating cost. There are three types of blankets that can help control evaporation: Solid, Floating and Liquid. The Liquid blanket is easy to use, and is inexpensive, but also carries the lowest level of effectiveness.

5 | Wind at the surface of the pool creates ripples or small waves on the surface of the pool ultimately accelerating evaporation. So, creating a pool environment that is shielded from wind will greatly help reduce heating cost.

6 | The last method is the pool temperature set point. The warmer you heat your pool water, the more it will cost to keep it warm. Each degree rise in temperature can equate to an approximate 15-18% increase in operation cost. So, while an 88°F pool is nice and toasty warm, it will cost a lot more to maintain than a pool that is held at 85°F.

There is nothing better than a warm pool. These are some tried and true ways to help keep that cost to a minimum.

A high-quality hot tub can improve your life in ways you may not have considered before. Hot tubs bring families closer together while helping to connect with the world around us. Incorporating hot tub usage into your daily routine can also help improve your general wellbeing. Regular spa use might also reduce stress, ease pain, improve the quality of your sleep, and increase flexibility.

IMPROVED RANGE OF MOTION

As we age, we lose our range of motion. Through regular usage, your hot tub can help you restore lost flexibility and slow the natural stiffening that comes with age. The warm water of a spa creates hydrostatic pressure—the pressure caused by the weight of fluids—on the body. This reduces joint inflammation, which in turn aids mobility.

RELIEF FROM ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS

Spending time in your hot tub may provide temporary relief from arthritic joint pain. In a controlled study examining the effects of spa therapy on patients with severe osteoarthritis, researchers found significant reduction in pain after just two weeks. In fact, patients undergoing spa therapy experienced less pain than those undergoing drug therapy at the same time. Likewise, a study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated that hydrotherapy reduced pain, tension, and joint tenderness.

RELIEF FROM FIBROMYALGIA SYPTOMS

Fibromyalgia is a disorder involving chronic pain and fatigue throughout the body, often resulting in disturbed sleep and an impaired ability to concentrate. It can cause disruptions at work and at home. A study of the effects of hydrotherapy on fibromyalgia patients showed marked benefits. Following a course of hydrotherapy treatment, patients reported improvements in physical functionality, sleep quality, and the ability to do their jobs, accompanied by a reduction in pain intensity, fatigue, stiffness, anxiety, and depression.

RELIEF FROM LOWER BACK PAIN

According to one estimate, 80% of all Americans will suffer from lower back pain at some point. It can make performing everyday activities a difficult and painful challenge. In multiple studies, people living with chronic back pain who underwent hydrotherapy treatment, either on its own or in combination with other treatments, saw a reduction in their symptoms. While these studies do indicate the positive effects of hydrotherapy, they do not replace the advice of a doctor.

DECREASED ANXIETY AND STRESS

Time spent in a hot tub encourages stress-free relaxation. Before you leave for work in the morning, soaking in your spa for fifteen or twenty minutes can help you begin your day feeling rested and focused. At night, it can help you unwind and leave the stresses of the day behind you. Controlled studies have shown that the use of hydrotherapy can lead to an improved psychological and emotional state.

Better Sleep

Lack of sleep can increase feelings of stress and anxiety reducing your ability to be productive. This can become a vicious cycle, as these same negative feelings can cause or aggravate many sleep disorders. Using your hot tub on a regular basis can break that cycle and help you get to sleep.

Eases Sore Muscles

The hot water and massage jets in a hot tub release tension and knead the toxins from your muscle fibers. Buoyancy takes the pressure off your legs, feet and back, helping you work out the knots. Regular soaks in your spa can improve your health and overall well-being. In order to fully experience these benefits without added stress, it’s important to invest in a quality, worry-free hot tub that you can enjoy for years to come.

Whether you are looking to massage those aching muscles after a stressful day, just soak your aching bones or just spend relaxing time with loved ones…do yourself a favor and stop in to see the world number one selling Freshwater Salt spas at Year Round Pool. You will be glad you did! Ask about our financing options.

Whether you are looking to massage those aching muscles after a stressful day, just soak your aching bones or spend a relaxing time with loved ones…Do yourself a favor and stop in to see one of the world’s number one selling spas. You will be glad you did! Ask us about our financing options.

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