View Full Version : Pool Heating
Lee Jackson
09-07-2008, 18:52
Hi
Could anyone tell me if i definately need pool heating at my chosen villa, even if i am planning on visiting Orlando in August.
I was just wondering as i could possibly save some money if its not essential at this time of year.
Many Thanks
Lee
Most people don't heat the pool in August, Lee. Though a few people may beg to differ, in my opinion, you definitely don't need it at that time of year! Have fun!
Lee Jackson
09-07-2008, 19:23
Thanks for the advice, cheers.
Lee
luckylady
09-07-2008, 19:24
I have to agree with Patty, pool heat not required in August have a great time [msnwink]
AshleyLodge
09-07-2008, 19:27
I agree with Patty. The water is likely to be in the mid 80s without any extra heat in august. Of course when the air temperature is so hot the water is likely to feel coolish when you get in because of the contrast. However, there are some people who always want to have the pool heated to be absolutely sure that the temperature is high.
Lynne
At that time of year a cooler pool can be a welcome relief! Guests have been known to complain that a pool is too hot even without heat. Then again there are others that won't get into the water unless it's bath temperature :D
I would suggest that if you have the option wait until you get there and then decide.
luckylady
09-07-2008, 21:23
You know how the saying goes Nina? you can't pleaee all the guests all the time
But we do keep trying [msnwink]
Well we always have the pool heat on in August, as have all our August guests so obviously there are a few of us wiimps around! [msnwink]
caroline
09-07-2008, 22:39
Definitely heated for us, think of it like this... in August would you run a bath of cold water and enjoy sitting it? If not then heat the pool[msnsmile2]
If you think of the swimming pool as a large bath.... do you add hot water to your bath or do you prefer to bathe in cold water.
Put another way, bath water will be colder than unheated pool water HOWEVER your body will be cooler in an air conditioned house than out in the sunshine and it is all about the difference in your body temperature compared to the water temperature.
Also pool water will lose heat over night so even if your unheated pool gets up to 85 during the day if you want an early morning swim be prepared for at least 5 degrees lower.
I don't heat my pool and right now its sat at about 84 degrees.
There is no way you could call that a cold bath!
After living here nearly 2 years there is no bigger wimp than me when it comes to cold pools and even i swim in mine now its warmed up.
Pool heat would just be an expensive waste, but thats just my 2 cents[msnwink]
orchidvilla
09-07-2008, 23:24
You shouldnt need it but if you do then contact the managment company and ask them to turn it on, i wouldnt book the pool heat with the travel agent as they often charge well over the top for it and blame it on the resort or owner.
If there is a pool cover just make sure you put it on at night as this will help keep the warmth in.
mfairhurst
10-07-2008, 00:47
Lee you do not need pool heat in AUGUST unless there is very young children who sometimes shiver if it is there first time in a pool and it relaxs them a little until they get used to the pool , If you know what i mean .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Frosty
I don't heat my pool and right now its sat at about 84 degrees.
There is no way you could call that a cold bath!
After living here nearly 2 years there is no bigger wimp than me when it comes to cold pools and even i swim in mine now its warmed up.
Pool heat would just be an expensive waste, but thats just my 2 cents[msnwink]
[/quote]
Now I'd say that is an excellent illustration of why we choose to differ and heat the pool year-round.
If you were staying in winter and the pool was heated only to 84 degrees it would feel very cold. I dare say you might even not swim in it for that reason.
Taking the temperature up only a few degrees makes all the difference in terms of taking the edge off the water.
The beauty of heating the pool in summer is that the heater can have the water up to the right temperature really quick so even if you want to swim first thing in the morning the pool is lovely and warm. From then on the sunshine keeps the pool warm through the day.
Don't forget also that if you don't have pool heat, you also typically won't get spa heat.
We can all argue until the cows come home about heating a pool vs. not heating a pool ... but when it comes to a spa there is a world of difference sitting in a spa at 84 degrees and relaxing in 100 degree+ bubbles.
Lee - the best thing I would suggest is to chat to your villa owner. Most of us will happily adjust the pool heating to suit you while you are over there. It's one of the many benefits of booking direct. [msnsmile2]
Steve, you are SO right! I have yet to have any complaints from my guests who have had pool heat during the summer - they love it, and nobody has ever asked for it to be turned down!
Personally, I don't want to waste a precious moment sitting on the edge of the pool and dipping my toes in - I like to get straight in and feel the warmth.
If you only have 2 weeks holiday, I would certainly consider pool heat - maybe it is different if you live in Florida permanently, but for a special holiday I would not hesitate to book it.
Personally I think pool/spa heat in summer is really not needed, we've been in outdoor pools in UK not heated, with young children, and most of us are wimps, so compare this to florida temperatures and you wont be sitting at the edge of the pool putting your toes in wasting precious time [msneek]
In most villas it states in the villa book that pool is heated to .... certain temp, yes you will get moneys worth at certain times of year, not in summer tho [msnwink]
ncmurray
10-07-2008, 12:23
I always have the pool heated, even in August. So you can see, there are as many opinions as there are people! It really is down to personal choice, but I would bet that if you had the pool heated you would never consider the other option again! Also, if there is a spa at the villa, that usually depends on the pool heat in order to heat up, so if you don't have the pool heated, then the spa will be cold.
Have a great holiday!
Nuala
Average water temp. in August is 82f.
It depends what you do in the pool [msnwink][msnwink]
If you're the swimming or playing type, that's plenty hot enough, any hotter will leave you out of breath.
On the other hand, if you're the floating around with a G&T type, 82 is probably on the cool side....
We probably wouldn't bother with pool heating alone in August but we like to use our spa in the evenings and we like it to be hot therefore we always have it heated.
As the pool and the spa have seperate thermostats in practice the pool heat only really kicks in first thing in the morning.
In the end it's all down to personal choice, the costs involved and whether you think it's worth it. You could always wait until you arrive to decide but do be aware that if the mangement company have to come out specially to switch the heat on you may be charged an extra fee for their visit.
I would advise you to have the pool heating on. We hired a villa in July and the heater was broken, so the pool was not heated and was just about OK once you got used to the cool water temperature, but the spa was definitely uncomfortable. A warm pool would have been better.
linda allen
21-07-2008, 00:46
We always have pool heating on in August. It makes swimming in the evening much more enjoyable for me. Only two weeks to go, can't wait[msncool]
Chaufeurse
21-07-2008, 22:50
The electric pool heater on our SW Gulf home is switched off from May until the beginning of November and it has never been necessary to turn it on during the summer months - even during the evening the temp is well warm enough for us. My friend was swimming in it yesterday as it was a sticky 92 degree's there and she said the pool was excellent and a massive relief from the heat. The pool was approx 87 degree's. As a rule of thumb I was advised that the pool water temp should never be higher than the outside temp as it makes you feel very cold when leaving the water! In the winter, our pool heater is set to 84 degree's but should renters wish to have it higher then that is entirely their choice. Luckily the solar blanket usually means our pool loses no more than a couple of degree's during the night and the pool heater soon has that knocked back up again in the morning.
Ray and I stayed at a friends home for a few nights in early May and the previous guests had left the solar on - the pool water was unpleasantly hot and I had to turn off the solar. I was also advised by Leslie's Pool's that the higher the heat in the pool the quicker the algae growth can occur.
If you are a Brit holidaying in Florida during the summer months you will usually find the pool water warm enough without the need for pool heating - let's face it, we are used to fairly cold weather so Florida weather is very hot to us - although, acccording to Countryfile on Sunday, rumour has it that our summer will be here this week! We dare not blink up here in Durham in case we miss it!
Christine
Love it being really hot, I know you soon get usd to it when you get in but I'm such a wimp[:o)]