Keeping your pool warm is the most effective way to avoid freeze damage, period. As long as you can keep your pool water moving, and at a constant temperature above the freezing point of 32 degrees, you're safe.
DO NOT use heater during extreme cold unless it has been constantly running prior to the drop in temperature. Manufacturers state heaters should not be run at temperatures 68 and below. Adjust pool and spa jets upwards to reduce surface freezing.
If you have an above ground pool with the pool filter system and plumbing above ground (like nearly all above ground pools), pipes and pumps can freeze up in less than an hour of minus 32 degrees. The same is true for inground pool equipment that is not running when temperatures are below freezing.
Lower the water level to below the skimmer. Clear pipes and equipment of water using a blower or compressor and plug the pipes at the pool. Add swimming pool antifreeze to the lines to prevent freezing. Place a Gizzmo* (or similar device) in the skimmer to seal it and absorb pressure from ice.
Set your pool heater's thermostat to a temperature between 78°F and 82°F (26°C and 28°C) to keep the majority of swimmers comfortable. Maybe a little cooler if you're in an area with very hot summers, or a little warmer if you live in a milder climate.
Heat pumps do not operate as efficiently when temperatures drop to between 25 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for most systems. A heat pump works best when the temperature is above 40. Once outdoor temperatures drop to 40 degrees, heat pumps start losing efficiency, and they consume more energy to do their jobs.
Water temperatures are slow to heat up, and just as slow to cool down. Water is very "stubborn" to change temperature. It takes 4 times the energy to heat up water than to heat air. Water also "feels" colder because water is a more efficent medium than air to cool our body down.
At what temperature does a pool freeze? Chlorinated and non-chlorinated pools freeze at the same temperature. However, salt water pools will freeze at a slightly lower temperature. It should also be noted that above-ground pools will generally freeze at a higher temperature than inground pools.
Run your pool pump continuously when temperatures are near or below freezing. You don't need to run your heater, moving water likely will not freeze. Disconnect any aerators and lines to slides. Booster pumps for pool cleaners don't need to run continuously.
Pipes can freeze at 32 degrees or below, but it will take a sustained period of time for this to happen. In other words, a pipe needs to be at freezing temperatures for at least half a day before homeowners have to worry about any freezing occurring.
Pool pipes that are located above-ground can crack if the pump is not kept running when temperatures reach below 32°. If PVC pipes freeze, the ice will expand and can crack pipes, pumps, valves, filters, and heaters.
Sunshine warms the water starting in the later morning until the late afternoon so that by nightfall, the water is at its highest temperature.
As such, there's no universal rule about whether rain water makes swimming pool water warmer or cooler; it all depends on whether the rain is warmer or cooler than the pool. If the rain is cold, it may cool down your pool water.
According to the World Health Organization, water temperatures ranging from 78 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are generally comfortable and safe for those engaging in moderate physical activity in a pool.
Heat pumps are designed to pull cold air from a home and not freeze up. To prevent this from happening, the heat pump must go into defrost mode when it becomes too cold. Defrost mode tends to switch the heat pump into air conditioning mode for a while till it unfreezes. After which, you can go back to heat mode.
Yes, heat pumps will still work even below freezing, especially modern ones. Good heat pumps will still perform efficiently at 25 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures exceed this, you'll notice performance loss.
Heat Pumps Often Ice Up During Cold Weather
This happens when the pump generates heat, the refrigerant turns to gas and then condenses when it meets the outdoor coil. In winter temperatures, this condensation will freeze. That's why the pump also has a defrosting function.
It is a fact that rain will decrease your Total Alkalinity level in the pool over time, requiring a pool owner to raise the alkalinity. Rainwater has a Total Alkalinity near zero. Heavy rains will dilute your pool alkalinity level, causing it to fall by 5-10 ppm a day.
The Department of Environmental Health recommends avoiding activities such as swimming, surfing, and diving for 72 hours after it rains. Research has shown that the risk of infection is the highest during and the day after rain, and declines to around normal levels after three days.
Shocking your pool isn't necessary, although, it's not a bad idea either. If you get an extremely heavy rain fall, you could shock your pool for good measure. This will help fight off any contaminants that the rain may have brought to your pool.
Depending on its purpose, competitive swimmers would prefer a cooler water temperature, whereas young children and senior citizens would benefit more so from warmer temperatures. Despite this, the average pool temperature, which is said to be ideal for all, is between 77-82°F.
Lap swimming for exercise
Most lap swimmers like the water temperature to be somewhere between 75-80 degrees. Being active by swimming laps will cause the body to heat up fairly quickly.
Any water temperature below 70 degrees should be treated with caution for those not wearing a wetsuit or drysuit, the National Center for Cold Water Safety warns. When water temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees it becomes progressively more difficult to control your breathing.
Since the pool skimmer is made out of thin PVC, it is at risk of cracking if ice forms in the frigid winter months. To protect your skimmer from cracking if the pool freezes, use a Gizzmo, Skimmer Guard, or skimmer bottle to absorb pressure from expanding ice if you don't plan to keep your pool open and heated.