Does anyone NOT close pool?

I know I'll probably get some pretty strong opinions on this one, but I searched the forums and couldn't find an answer. My husband has this idea that it would be fun to technically NOT close our AG 16x32; rather, we'd keep our automatic cover closed, keep the heater set above freezing (maybe 40-45 degrees), and then fire up the heater for a few fun times (like New year's eve and my daughters' birthdays in February!) when we could swim in warm water with the snow outside. Kinda like a really big hot tub.

A few facts: our pool is sunk into the ground about 24 inches at one end and about 12 inches at the other; backfilled with Doughboy-recommended slurry (a lower psi-concrete); surrounded by a composite deck with 'closed' stairs that go to ground level; sand filter; super-pump; and rheem 333kbtu heater. Use BBB (but actually have only used bleach, not the other two b's.) We live near Chicago. We are having an Aquamatic automatic cover installed tomorrow -- cost as much as the pool, but we decided it would be worth it for safety, convenience, and environmental savings.

I'm guessing that we might be ok, if we are willing to pay for the gas! On the other hand, if we will wind up with all kinds of (expensive) freeze damage, we certainly don't want to do this.

Finally, if we don't 'close' the pool, would it help keep heat costs down if we wrapped the 2" flexible PVC pipes that are above ground but under the deck and installed rigid foam as an insulating layer on the outside of the pool walls (kind of between the uprights). Would that insulating layer help anyway during the regular pool season to keep heating costs down?

Ok -- I'm ready! Fire away with your answers!

I'll take a first crack. No matter how much insulation you put around the AG pipes you will have to keep water flowing to keep them from freezing. All the insulation will do is slow the process. You have to consider the skimmer freezing as well. If you do consider just running the pump when temps dip below freezing, what about a power outage? That could be the achilles (sp) heel with your idea. To give you an idea of the severity of frost and freezing you could check the local building codes that deal with frost depths. Something tells me that in the Chicago area it will be deep enough to be concerned. Also remember that once you get an ice plug anywhere in the circulation system, you have no circulation. Personally I wouldn't take the chance. How about a much smaller and separate hot tub that would be more manageable?
Just some thoughts.
Al
BTW: I deleted the other thread.

Thanks, Poconos, for the thoughts. It does seem to be a risk. I suppose we could just keep watching the temperature forecasts and shut it down when it gets to be consistently cold. 42" is code for sinking deck posts and other such things due to frost in this area.

BTW, we have a hot tub also; our idea of keeping the pool open is really more of a whim for a big party atmosphere (and, yes, this is our first year with the pool, so kids and parents are still really into it!):p

Now that we've been thinking this through, I am wondering about insulating around the pipes AND the skimmer (good point!) AND the outside walls. It seems to make sense that any insulation would decrease energy costs to heat the pool. Is there any reason NOT to insulate (critters, moisture retention, rust?) :confused: I've got the 3/4" Dow blue insulation sheets that I'm planning to cut to the size of the pool wall between the uprights; not sure how I'm going to get them to adhere -- either duct tape or waterproof insulating foam-in-a-can. I have both flexible, blue 'sill insulation' AND some self-adhesive black foam rubber kinds of weatherstripping that I was thinking of wrapping around the pipes (one or the other, not both.) Thoughts? (Remember, I have deck all the way around the pool, so it doesn't matter what it looks like -- I imagine it will look pretty goofy!)

Thanks for your response!
Maureen

P.S. thanks for deleting the thread -- I couldn't figure out how to delete it completely, so I just deleted the copy.;)

Sounds to me like an awful lot of work and expense for very little return. If you were swimming every day, maybe.

I would just enjoy the spa over the winter. Then add up the savings in gas heat and chemicals and insulation, and go on a nice holiday next winter to somewhere south of the equator!! :D

It would probably be cheaper to put up a building over the pool than to pay to heat the pool all winter. You would have to run the pump anytime the temperature was below freezing.

If you have the insulating sheets I suppose you could put them in place then hold them against the pool walls with a long rope or strap or something like that. That way you wouldn't be gluing them in place. Any insulation you can apply would certainly help the heating $$$$ bottom line. Maybe once you get the first gas bill you'll change your mind. Be prepared for sticker shock.
Al

Well, all, my hubby and I have decided to close our pool like the rest of America and save that money we would have spent on heating. Well, actually, we're spending it on other things, but you get the idea.

I have begun the process of putting the insulating sheets on the pool anyway (using waterproof 'duct' tape), since I've got them and I do believe they will help in the long run. We'll see if our gas bills are any less next year...

Thanks for all the input.
Maureen