Although it’s not uncommon in the sunbelt to leave a pool open during winter, it can also be done in cooler places. Just remember to keep the pool closed when the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Not just talking about leaving a pool covered all winter. This is also about leaving it in fully operational condition.
Leaving a pool open for the winter may sound good, but it comes with a dilemma of the full list of pros and cons.
PROS
Nice View
A swimming pool in the good-condition can make your backyard look awesome. Clean, shiny, and blue pools look much more attractive than a winterized pool with a not-much pretty cover installed.
Swim Whenever You Want To
Getting into a warm pool is a great way to relieve the stress of winter. Aside from having a great pool, installing a gas heater is also a great way to warm up your pool.
Keep Your Savings
Winter pool supplies are usually big expenses. These items include but are not limited to pool chemicals, safety covers, pool hardware, and pool accessories. When it comes to pool opening chemicals, services, and supplies, staying open year-round is the best option.
It's Easy Clean
The cooler temperatures can also make it hard for algae to grow, which means less money to spend on algaecide and chlorine. Not having to remove leaves in late autumn will help keep the pool cleaner. It also means less organic debris will be dropping into the water.
CONS
No Rest from the Pool
Winterizing and maintaining a pool requires the bare minimum of care and maintenance. This is the time to focus on other things instead of swimming. If the pool stays open, you will still need to regularly clean and maintain it. You will also need to regularly check the water level and balance the water.
More Energy - More Costs
Since keeping a pool open during the winter season can increase your pool's energy expenses, it's important to install a freeze protection device on your pump. This will keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing. Natural gas and electric are both extremely expensive to heat a pool. A solar pool cover can help conserve the heat and lower the energy cost.
Your Equipment Won’t Work When it's Cold
Even if you have a pool that’s relatively warm during the winter, it can still malfunction if the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pool has equipment that depends on temperature, you should consider purchasing backup equipment such as a gas heater or a chlorine floater. Winterizing your pool can help save you money on energy bills.
The Increased Risks
When it comes to keeping your pool and plumbing equipment working properly, Winterizing is an essential step. Having a power outage can cause significant damages to both equipment and plumbing. Even if the pump is running, the pool surface can still freeze over once the conditions are right. Having a safety cover on the pool can help prevent many dangerous situations.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to close a pool can be a bit challenging, as it depends on many factors, such as your personal preference and the risk assessment of closing the pool.
Colder climates can cause pool equipment and plumbing to freeze. Some people avoid this by taking extra steps to prevent freezing damage.
Winter is a great time to consider if you should keep a pool open, but there are various considerations to consider before making that decision.
This post was originally published on blog.intheswim.com
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