cooling the pool in Phoenix

[hikernut]

Thanks for all your comments. I paid for a subscription today... hopefully that helps to keep the site kicking!

Re: Running water through solar panels at night. During the "problem" (i.e., hot!) time here it can be over 100 F at midnight, with overnight lows in the 90s. I'm a bit skeptical that I'd get much cooling during those nights; it would have to be from radiation loss. Anyone having success with this in the Phoenix area?

If I add a shade, it will be a proper setup. Not just a blue tarp with some rope.

Just trying to understand what I could expect in terms of delta-temp. If it's only a couple of degrees it wouldn't be worth the bother. Ten degrees... now we're talking.

Thanks again,

hikernut

[aylad]

Hi hikernut,

Just wanted to say thank you for your subscription and for helping support this site--we appreciate it!!

If you decide to set up the shade, I'll be interested in how it works for you. I'm in Louisiana with full sun on my pool all day, and we have the same "hot tub" effect that you get--toward late July/early August, it often gets too hot to swim!! So far we combat that by running the pump with a fountain at night, and running tap water through the slide during most swimming sessions, which substantially cools the water, but I'm lucky in that water from my tap is almost perfect chemically, so it doesn't affect my pool chemistry at all. If a shade of some sort would make a huge difference, then I might be interested, as well. If you go that route, make sure and let us know how it works!!

[hikernut]

aylad,

Thanks for sharing your experience. If I do put up a shade, I'll report on the effectiveness here.
I'm considering solar pool heating as well, so it might make sense to do that project first and see if it can provide some cooling during July/August in Phoenix.

To all... is there any software available to model pool temperature? I know it's a long shot, and if it exists it probably costs a lot anyway??

hikernut

[Phillbo]

I run my pump at night (cheaper rates) and during the hot season I turn on the aerator. Not sure how much it helps but I'm sure it helps some.

[hikernut]

I've been cruising the website for a few days, and getting educated. Great resource. I'm sure you folks hear that a lot!

One more thought on the shade... In addition to making the water more refreshing, am I right in thinking that it would make the summer pool maintenance easier...
(1) Because the water is cooler, and the nasties grow better in warmer water?
(2) Because the shade blocks at least some of the chlorine-damaging UV light (assume the shade blocks UV, for now anyway).

Assuming my thought process is correct here, any idea which of the two effects is the more important one?

Thanks,

hikernut

[aylad]

I Don't know about thought #2, but as far as #1 goes, I don't think you will see a appreciable difference in algae growth with a few degrees difference in water temp. Algae will grow just as well in 80 degree water as it will in 90 degree water.