View Full Version : To heat or not to heat..that is the......
Hope some one can advise me on the hot topic of pool heating....we are going on villa holiday first 3 weeks in October 2008, 5 kids...9 thru to 4 years old and do not know if the added expense of pool heating is worth it or not...will it make a considerable difference?...what sort of weather can we expect?
Many thanks in advance....nice forum by the way...
christhear
06-01-2008, 16:10
I let my guests decide whether they need pool heating when they arrive in October. If they do I charge them in dollars and they pay my MC, If the pool is hot enough they have saved quite a bit of money.
Remeber that the pool will take a while to heat up when the heating is turned on.
If my guests have paid in advance the pool heating is generally turned on the day before they arrive.
So far none of my October guests have required pool heating.
Duncan,
I would go with the pool heating, your children will love you for it.
The daytime weather will be great, but it's the night time when temperatures drop to the low 70's is where the pool loses it's heat. Your pool temperature will be around 85 degrees, and can lose as much as 2 - 3 degrees during the evening + night. Mid 70 degrees water temp feels cold
DiannaUK
06-01-2008, 16:16
Hello Duncan,
this is such a difficult one to answer as the desired heat of a pool is a very subjective thing. My husband likes the pool to be warmer than I do. However, if I was visiting our house in October, I would definitely have the pool heat on.
You should bear in mind that most pool experts will say that the pool shouldn't be heated above 86 degrees anyway, otherwise it kills off the chemicals that are there to protect the water - so it's unlikely it's going to feel like a warm bath anyway, but heating does definitely make it much nicer in the pool in the slightly cooler months (although October will still be nice and warm and is one of our favourite times of the year to visit).
Many owners will let you switch the pool heat on after arrival if you then decide it's too cold, but bear in mind it can take over a day to heat up whereas if you book it in advance, it's nice and warm when you get there.
Dianna
caroline
06-01-2008, 16:19
We go every October and have always needed pool heat, and with young children they will be so disappointed if they can't swim the moment they arrive - I went in an unheated pool ONCE in September when the weather was gorgeous but the water was so cold it took several glasses of dutch courage to get me in [msnwink]
We have our pool heated for us even when we go in July and August[msneek], I am a bit of a wimp [msnwink]
Mrs Brizzle
06-01-2008, 16:46
Hi, the only time I have been when we didn't have pool heating was July. As we normally go in the winter months we always need pool heat, I would like to say for the children but i'm a wimp too![laugh]
abbeyvillas
06-01-2008, 17:20
Hi Duncan,
The temperature of the pool water will depend on the outside air temperature at the time but by mid October this is beginning to drop in the evenings. I think you'll be O.K. without as the pool is much more refreshing that way but if you like your pool to feel 'warm' maybe you better go for the heating or check out the arrangements for the M.C. to put it on after you arrive, if needed.
Have a great vacation,
Jeanette
mfairhurst
06-01-2008, 17:42
HI DUNCAN
You need pool heat as said before it goes cold at night and if you come back from the theme parks you can have a swim in comfort .
Put the pool cover on if you are not using the pool even in the day time it keeps it clean and keeps the heat in .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx
Shirley G
06-01-2008, 17:49
I always have the pool heat on if we go in October, too chilly for me otherwise.
Paula D-S
06-01-2008, 17:51
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Kazzie
We have our pool heated for us even when we go in July and August[msneek], I am a bit of a wimp [msnwink]
[/quote]Snap
I would have the pool heated in October especially with little ones.
Forget what you think, it's the children that will make or break this decision.
I've yet to meet a 4 year old that wants their pool water 'refreshing'. They just want to play and enjoy it which will not happen if they don't want to get in.
I have just done a quick calculation of what you will spend on air fares, accommodation, car hire, attraction tickets and food/meals. I would guess that pool heating will be about 3% of your total bill and probably less than the cost of one trip to a mall.
This is such a small part of the overall cost that I would book it now and look forward to diving in the pool about 10 minutes after you arrive. It amazing how tired and grumpy children cheer up as soon as they see the pool, (it also works with adults).
Dave
We have been a few times in October and I would say you would definitely require pool heat.
The children won't enjoy an unheated pool in October in my opinion. Before we bought our villa we rented one and the management company forgot to put the pool heat on. Even though the temperature was in the mid 80s my 3 children went in the pool for a full 2 minutes and were then cold and came out. That was it for the day. The next day when the pool heat was on was a different story and we couldn't get them out of it!
Pool heat ON for us[msnwink]
We usually go in October and I would say to go for the heating. The first time we went we didn't bother, my girls still went in but it took me ages to get in. After that we always had heating and it was great[msnsmile2]
Pool heat without a doubt. Be sure to use the pool blanket at all times the pool is not used so the pool loses less heat overnight.
dawn burley
06-01-2008, 23:09
We go every October and always have pool heat.
With 5 kids involved, there is just no question - you will need the pool heat. Don't spoil the holiday by skimping on this aspect.
I promise you, your kids will thoroughly enjoy it if the heat is on and will hate it if it's off. I've got 4 of them, we go every year and I assure you we need the heat on even during July and August. The pool is a central part of the family holiday and they spend entire days splashing in and out. The difference a couple of degrees makes is marked.
Yes, there are some men of steel out there who prefer a cold pool,and it's fine for adults who just want a quick dip to cool off, but your 5 children will miss out on one of the real pleasures of a villa holiday if you don't heat it.
Pay the extra, it's worth one day less at the parks.
Okay folks thanks for that....it's 15 to 2 for pool heating...so on it goes..purely for the kids you understand!!!
jolliffee
07-01-2008, 15:18
Duncan, a safe decision[msnwink]
Graham49
08-01-2008, 02:15
Hi everyone, whats the opinons on pool heating for the last two weeks in Sept and the first week in October?
Robert5988
08-01-2008, 02:48
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Hi everyone, whats the opinons on pool heating for the last two weeks in Sept and the first week in October?[/quote]
This is the average temperature for Sept & Oct
September
Average High Temperature - 89
Record High Temperature - 97
Average Low Temperature - 72
Record Low Temperature - 56
Average Rain Fall - 6.8 inches
Average Number of Rainy Days - 14
Average % humidity (morning/evening) - 92/65
October
Average High Temperature - 84
Record High Temperature - 95
Average Low Temperature - 66
Record Low Temperature - 43
Average Rain Fall - 3.9 inches
Average Number of Rainy Days - 9
Average % humidity (morning/evening) - 89/60
So get some cold temperatures, particularly if it is windy, and your pool will cool down a lot overnight.
If it is cloudy it will heat up slowly.
Most owners would possibly not heat in Sept, or do so on an 'as required' basis. However given the cost of a holiday to Florida it would be worthwhile 'insurance' to have pool heating IMO.
Whilst I can understand the practical difficulties, it is a pity that there are not graduated charges for pool heating. I suspect it would cost many times more to heat a pool in January than late Sept; yet most seem to charge a flat rate.
This is maybe not practical , but I was reading somewhere that Ground Heat Pumps are quite popular in the US.
Maybe one of these could be used to assist in heating the pool or even Solar Panels. Over the long term it would reduce energy bills
Just a thought
Jordy