View Full Version : Pools/spas in homes - summer?
marciemi
29-01-2007, 21:36
Just a few questions. We're renting a house in Emerald Island for the first time in late July/early August. The home has a pool. My questions are:
1. Is there any reason to get spa heat? We have the option of pool & spa heat or just spa heat (cheaper) but the owner says that most people feel that it's just not necessary at that time of year and is just TOO hot.
2. Can you use the pools if it's raining out? I'm guessing if there's lightning, obviously not. I'm thinking if it's raining though, there will be water coming into the pools. Is this okay? Do you need to keep the pool covered during rain or when you're not using it? How much care do you have to do for the pool?
Thanks!
Fourdents
29-01-2007, 21:45
I find that most people do not need the pool / spa heating at that time of year.
Definitely a NO to getting in the pool if there is thunder and lightening. Best to get inside away from the pool area.
I have never had problems taking a swim in the rain :)
Keeping the cover on may help stop debris going in the pool. The covers are best kept on in colder weather if the heating is on.
Most owners have pool companies that visit once a week to check the balance of the water and clean it.
We have a pool "skimmer net" that can be used to fish out debris from the water.
Hi Marcie,
My view would be to have both pool heat and spa heat.
The pool heat should be controlled by a thermostat which will switch off the heater as soon as the water is up to the set temperature. Even in summer pools can shed quite a few degrees overnight and we've always found we enjoy the pool more if the heater brings it straight back up to temperature first thing in the morning rather than risk having it feel chilly. The sun will eventually do the same job but you are on vacation so why wait?
As for the spa heat, surely the whole point of the spa is to have it hot? If the heater is set correctly it shouldn't be getting too hot as the heater should be switching off as soon as it's up to the correct temperature. Sitting in the hot bubbles watching the sunset is just wonderful. Lukewarm bubbles just wouldn't have the same effect!
If you do see storms developing in July/August I would always recommend to be out of the pool at the first sign of the dark clouds. Stay safe, grab a milkshake, and then jump straight back in the pool as soon as the sun is back out.
We have pool and spa heat even in August[msnwink]
caroline
29-01-2007, 22:37
Pool and spa heat 12 months of the year for us too - as Steve said Lukewarm bubbles, No thanks!
I would differ with the others above. We just find it great to have a cooler pool to freshen up in when it is hot in August! Can you ask the owner if you could arrange to have the heating put on when you are there if you feel it is necessary? the only provisor to this would be that once it was on it would have to stay on.
Joyce
E. Cosgrove
29-01-2007, 23:18
I am often in the pool to cool off so my vote would be no pool heat in summer but a definite yes to spa heat.
We do not have a spa in our home but when I do use one it needs to be HOT!!!
I would agree with Liz on this, spa heat on and pool heat off. That way you can cool down when needed.
Karen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
I am often in the pool to cool off so my vote would be no pool heat in summer but a definite yes to spa heat.
We do not have a spa in our home but when I do use one it needs to be HOT!!!
[/quote]
Paula D-S
30-01-2007, 02:51
We have pool heat on whatever month we are there, but we have always have little ones with us so we think it needs warming a little.
i love orlando
30-01-2007, 03:00
we always have the pool heated whatever time of the year we are there, most days we only use the pool early morning or after a day at a park, nice warm and relaxing...
CarolAnn
30-01-2007, 03:12
Not had the pool heat on when we use our pool, April and October usually. Mind we are not evening dippers:)
orlandodaze
30-01-2007, 03:50
we always ask for pool heating every Summer ,I love an early morning swim and again late in the evening .
Pool heat anytime for us too - we are fully paid up members of the Wimps Association. Under no circumstances will I dip my toes in a cool pool.......brrrrrr...and the hotter the temperature of the air the cooler the pool will feel.[msnwink]
carl mcguigan
30-01-2007, 13:41
Pool heating for me too.
CERICROWLEY
30-01-2007, 16:54
Marcie
I would say my own preference is to have the pool and spa heated whenever I go out and enjoy my home. We have been in February, May, July and August, October and December.
We have two children and they like it warm, so the pool heat goes on, in the summer if it does reach up to temperture then it will switch off anyway, also if you like an early morning dip, it may not be as warm first thing. We do not use pool covers in the summer, the chemicals can be disrupted with the pool blanket on.
Spa heat I am a bit of a hot blood at heart, I like my spa VERY hot. so always have it on.
Personnaly I would always go for Sap heat - soooo relaxing when you get back in from the parks!
Pool heat will depend on your preferences. Owners tend to heat 86 (there or there abouts), so if you like a dip first thing in the AM then you may need the top up that the heating will give you. If you don't tend to go in til afternoon / early evening then you may manage without the heater. Depending on your preferences it would be worth asking the owner a) what times does the heating go on/off & b) at what temp is the pool set. The answers could influence your decision.
Rain - no problem! But avoid the lightening.
Maintenabce - none - it should be done by the Manangement Co - UNLESS
you opt for no heating but pull the thermal blanket (if provided) over the pool at night yourself.
CERICROWLEY
30-01-2007, 18:47
Alan
The pool cover should not be used in the summer, it can cause the chemicals to unbalance.
Shirley G
30-01-2007, 20:51
Never having been to the villa in the summer what sort of temperature does the pool normally get to without pool heating.
pool heat will not need for me. But spa heat will be needed.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Shirley G
Never having been to the villa in the summer what sort of temperature does the pool normally get to without pool heating.[/quote]Water temperature is usually 10 - 15F below the air temperature but, I expect as a home owner, you'll already know this.
Shirley G
31-01-2007, 02:08
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Shirley G
Never having been to the villa in the summer what sort of temperature does the pool normally get to without pool heating.[/quote]Water temperature is usually 10 - 15F below the air temperature but, I expect as a home owner, you'll already know this.
[/quote]
yes I know that Blott,just wondered if it kept warm enough through the night for a morning dip without pool heat thats all.
lorraine51
31-01-2007, 02:30
No pool heat for us during the months mentioned. Pool cover on only in the cooler and cold months.
orlandodaze
31-01-2007, 03:28
Im happy to know that we are not the only Europeans who like a warm pool and spa . I remember last Summmer we had friends who visited our rented villa and were thrilled and delighted because their kids could swim in the evening because the pool was lovely and warm. They didnt have a heated pool and it was rather cold when they returned from the parks . Im very happy being a WIMP.
Join the club, Olive, you are in good company![msnwink]
marciemi
31-01-2007, 07:31
Wow - thanks everyone for all the responses! I just found these boards and didn't think they'd be too active so just came back to check the responses. We're from Green Bay (Wisconsin) and have a small (quick set) pool in our backyard in the summer that the kids are in all the time and (obviously) isn't heated and I've taken the temperature and it's been in the 60's and they're still in it so I really wasn't planning on the pool heat at all! We also plan to be at the parks bright and early each morning - our one off day we plan on being at Typhoon Lagoon for the surf lessons at 5:30 am - so probably wouldn't ever be using them before 1-2pm. Plus my kids are used to swimming in the Great Lakes which I'm sure you can imagine never hit 80 degrees, let alone warmer!
We also have a separate spa at home but hardly ever have used it in the summer time just because to me it seems like when I'm hot the last thing I want to do is get in a hot tub. But I know how sore I've been on our last trips to Disney (especially my feet) and how nice it's been to relax in the hotel spa (but our last 3 trips to Disney have been in December or January). I also like the suggestions of sitting out with a glass of wine when the kids are in bed and don't think I'd want to do that in a cold spa!
The owner did say that if we decided we wanted either pool or spa heat that we could have the management company turn it on and it would take at most 24 hours. The cost for pool heating was $25 a day and spa heating was $10 a day. Is this about average? We'll be there 2 weeks so should have plenty of time if we decide to have it turned on. The owner just said that he's had several people complain that the spa was just uncomfortably hot at that time of year, even at a low setting. Could it just be his particular one? I know ours (stand alone) you can set down to 80 degrees, so that wouldn't be a problem.
Thanks again!
Marcie
The price you have been quoted for pool &/or spa heating seems uqite reasonable.
As for temperature - we set ours to 96 / 98 (some like it 100!). Usually temperature controls are contained within a locked box so you would not be able to change the temperature yourself, but would need to get the Management Co back (maybe at a cost) if you find it is too hot.
Best to ask the owner what they set the spa at then decide either before you go or when the pool guy comes round to turn the pool/spa on and ask them to set it at your 'comfort' temperaturte.
orlandobabe
14-02-2007, 03:41
I have never had the pool heating on in summer months-no one has ever asked for it either-but the spa will be heated-that's the beauty of them warm relaxing jets to massage away all those aches and pains
chrisflowers
14-02-2007, 12:35
We have many guests who prefer a hot pool in the summer months.
Personally, we prefer a 'cool' pool to reduce our body temperature, especially near the middle part of the day.
Don't forget that it only feels cool compared to the ambient temperature. The actual temperature is nearer 80 degrees or higher in July/August without heating.
Sue and Jere
14-02-2007, 12:47
We never have pool heat in the summer months. Always need to cool off !!!!
I have pool and spa heat in the summer. Switching to spa heat keeps that lovely and warm too. Nothing more pleasant than after a busy day enjoying the spa.... [8D]