Even when you cover your swimming pool every night and run the heater on cooler days, you may still find it challenging to keep your pool water warm enough for your family’s preference. At other times when the Brevard County sun is at its peak through the summer months, your pool water may feel more like bath water causing it to feel anything but refreshing on a summer afternoon.
So, what is the ideal pool temperature for your Brevard County pool? The answer is, it depends. Competition pools, indoor pools, and residential swimming pools all have different suggested temperature ranges. Considering who uses your pool and its most frequent uses will help you determine the ideal temperature for your swimming pool.
Besides feeling uncomfortable, there is a reason that people participating in polar bear plunges only stay in the water for a short period. You may think that our Central Florida weather prevents water from getting too cold in the summer, but it’s still important to note that water temperatures below 70 degrees begin to affect your health.
Cold water can cause blood vessels to constrict; making it hard to catch your breath as well as slowing down your metabolism. In extreme cases, your body can go into shock. It’s important to check the water temperature, especially when the air temperature has dropped the night before you swim, so make sure you are aware of the temperature before diving in to swim.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, warm swimming pool water carries some risks as well. A CNN report reminded us of these risks when reporting U.S. swimmer Fran Crippen had died during a 10-kilometer marathon in 2010 in the United Arab Emirates. We all know that staying in a spa tub for a long time can cause us to overheat, but this risk is also possible in a swimming pool. If pool water is too hot, your body can overheat causing muscle spasms, swollen limbs, and disorientation. Unlike on land, the signs of overheating are masked by water submersion.
Because of health risks associated with some pool water temperatures, keeping your swimming pool within an ideal temperature range is not just about comfort. It’s necessary for protecting people’s health.
USA Swimming takes both air and water temperatures into account. By-laws state that officials should cancel competitions when water temperatures are 85 degrees or more. With warmer temperatures the risk of competitive swimmers overheating increases.
The United States Water Fitness Association has developed a specific chart for ideal water temperatures. This breakdown takes pool activity and participant’s age into account. For competitive swimmers, they state the ideal temperature range is 78-80 degrees. In addition to racers, a cooler pool benefits aqua aerobics participants.
Although many people use pools for exercise, the vast majority of swimming pool users are likely looking to feel refreshed from a short dip in the pool or to have fun and cool off on a hot day.
According to a report from the Washington Post, the ideal pool temperature is 85 degrees. Most hotels, resorts, multi-unit living buildings, institutional and public swimming pools keep the water temperature of their pools between 82 to 85 degrees. This temperature range doesn’t ensure that every swimmer will agree, but the majority of participants are likely to feel comfortable with a swimming pool between 82-85 degrees.
Water temperature drops when you backwash the pool because you replace warmer water with cooler tap water. If you have a swimming pool leak, your water temperature will drop every time you refill the pool from the water loss.
An unattended swimming pool leak will require your pool heater to run more frequently. Your utility bill will increase every time your refill the swimming pool as well. If you are having trouble maintaining your swimming pool temperature and suspect a leak is the cause, contact Aquaman Leak Detection. We will detect and repair a swimming pool leak, often with one visit. We service Central Florida commercial and residential pools.