Quote Originally Posted by jcpbnp
I live in San Antonio and my pool is in direct sunlight. During the summer the water gets up to 96 degrees which is way to warm to enjoy. Any recommendations on how to keep it cooler? I know they make a solar cover to keep it warmer, but do they make something to keep it cooler?
Hi jcpbnp;

Just to let you know, this probably should go into the Pool Ops section, so I'm going to move it there shortly.

Meanwhile, back to your regularly scheduled question:
  1. Contrary to myths I periodically see on the net, ice won't work . . . unless you bring truckloads! A couple thousands of pounds of ice just doesn't have enough 'coolth' to remove all that heat in a 10,000+ gallon pool.
  2. Reverse heat pumps could certainly work, but don't count on it, unless you confirm that function with the manufacturer for YOUR area, YOUR size pool, and YOUR heat pump.
  3. Sprayers work, but how well depends on lots of variables. In dry air areas (AZ, NM, etc.) a sprayer can cool the pool a LOT, by evaporating a LOT of water. This in turn tends to concentrate the salts in from fill water that's already saline . . . and you are off and running toward a whole new set of problems. In wet air areas (FL, LA, MS), spraying during the day may not be too effective. But, high volume sprays at night, when the air is cooler can make a difference without evaporating much water.
  4. Solar heaters -- really -- can also work, if you circulate the water at night, when temps are lower and there's no sun. They'll work best when night skies are clear, and if you can keep them from contact with heat storing surfaces like concrete or thick roofing.
But . . . there's little data on how to size the things that will work, so it's really hard to predict how well they will work. Your best bet is probably to start with things that are cheap and easy (like night operation of fountains quick connected to pool inlets) and test for yourself.

Of course, if you do, I'd love it if you could report results back here.

Ben