Are you a UK Swimming Pool Distributor or Retailer?
If so then we would love to make sure the public know of any deals, special events, shows and open days you have planned so customers can benefit from all your hard work. Simply add a comment to this post with details or email us and we will add a post to the blog totally free of charge!
Sunday
Swimming Pool Q & A
Q. Will I need planning permission for my swimming pool?
A. That depends. Outdoor pools, or those in a detached building for domestic family use, usually escape the need for Planning Consent. However…a pool in a listed building, or a conservation area will need Planning Consent. Indoor pools always require Building Regulations Consent – and so do some outdoor pools. So the real answer is: ask your SPATA contractor and contact your local authority Planning and Building Control Departments.
Q. Is there a recommended temperature for an outdoor pool?
A. No. It depends on the swimmers – and the pocket of whoever pays the energy bill. The cost of heating increases twofold every 5°F because the differential between the water and air temperatures increases. Most outdoor pools will get solar gain and most have a temperature of about 80°F or 27°C. A floating cover on the pool at night will greatly reduce running costs.
Q. Can I use solar panels to heat my pool?
A. Yes. However there will be a fluctuation of temperature due to the daily variation in solar energy. You should run the filter pump and therefore the solar panels from dawn to dusk to maximise the available energy. You should cover the pool at night to reduce heat losses and have a system that is controlled by differential temperature to prevent the panels acting as a radiator at night. If you want to have a more regular temperature in the pool then combine the panels with another form of heating to keep the base temperature in the pool.
Q. What if there's another water ban this year?
A. If there’s a hosepipe ban, you are still permitted to fill or top-up your swimming pool or hot tub. If there’s a drought order, your new pool can be filled during construction – but it can’t be topped up. At present hot tubs are not covered by drought orders. We have found that if the pool needs to be emptied for good reason then the water suppliers will allow refilling, but it’s best to contact your pool contractor first. Additionally your SPATA contractor can advise on various ways in which water can be conserved. Past experience shows that, with help, owners are still able to enjoy their pools. Recent Government announcements you may have read about extending the hosepipe ban to private swimming pools and hot tubs cannot come into effect until legislation has been passed in Parliament, and we have not seen any reference to this for the coming session of Parliament.
Q. Are indoor pools more expensive to build and run?
A. Yes. The building costs are higher and, because of the need to keep the air in the pool building warm and de-humidified, there is also extra equipment. Against this must be balanced the fact that the pool can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks of the year. During warm summer weather, there is little or no need to heat the pool hall.
Q. How can I cut carbon emissions and heat my pool in a green manner?
A. By choosing the right equipment. A carefully selected heat pump, combined with one of the new-generation solar systems will provide a constant water temperature, with very low consumption of electricity – and lower electricity bills, into the bargain. And don’t forget the all-important heat-retaining cover for your pool, which can save as much as 80% of heat loss from the pool surface.
Q & A Courtesy of SPATA
A. That depends. Outdoor pools, or those in a detached building for domestic family use, usually escape the need for Planning Consent. However…a pool in a listed building, or a conservation area will need Planning Consent. Indoor pools always require Building Regulations Consent – and so do some outdoor pools. So the real answer is: ask your SPATA contractor and contact your local authority Planning and Building Control Departments.
Q. Is there a recommended temperature for an outdoor pool?
A. No. It depends on the swimmers – and the pocket of whoever pays the energy bill. The cost of heating increases twofold every 5°F because the differential between the water and air temperatures increases. Most outdoor pools will get solar gain and most have a temperature of about 80°F or 27°C. A floating cover on the pool at night will greatly reduce running costs.
Q. Can I use solar panels to heat my pool?
A. Yes. However there will be a fluctuation of temperature due to the daily variation in solar energy. You should run the filter pump and therefore the solar panels from dawn to dusk to maximise the available energy. You should cover the pool at night to reduce heat losses and have a system that is controlled by differential temperature to prevent the panels acting as a radiator at night. If you want to have a more regular temperature in the pool then combine the panels with another form of heating to keep the base temperature in the pool.
Q. What if there's another water ban this year?
A. If there’s a hosepipe ban, you are still permitted to fill or top-up your swimming pool or hot tub. If there’s a drought order, your new pool can be filled during construction – but it can’t be topped up. At present hot tubs are not covered by drought orders. We have found that if the pool needs to be emptied for good reason then the water suppliers will allow refilling, but it’s best to contact your pool contractor first. Additionally your SPATA contractor can advise on various ways in which water can be conserved. Past experience shows that, with help, owners are still able to enjoy their pools. Recent Government announcements you may have read about extending the hosepipe ban to private swimming pools and hot tubs cannot come into effect until legislation has been passed in Parliament, and we have not seen any reference to this for the coming session of Parliament.
Q. Are indoor pools more expensive to build and run?
A. Yes. The building costs are higher and, because of the need to keep the air in the pool building warm and de-humidified, there is also extra equipment. Against this must be balanced the fact that the pool can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 52 weeks of the year. During warm summer weather, there is little or no need to heat the pool hall.
Q. How can I cut carbon emissions and heat my pool in a green manner?
A. By choosing the right equipment. A carefully selected heat pump, combined with one of the new-generation solar systems will provide a constant water temperature, with very low consumption of electricity – and lower electricity bills, into the bargain. And don’t forget the all-important heat-retaining cover for your pool, which can save as much as 80% of heat loss from the pool surface.
Q & A Courtesy of SPATA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
