This method should never be considered an acceptable practice
in any residential or commercial project.When pool water is maintained
at 85-95 Degrees to heat the room and air temperature is at 78-86 degrees, this
causes increased humidity levels, evaporation rate, and moisture migration. Maintaining
water warmer than air pulls the water out of the pool, increasing the evaporation
rate of the pool and over the long term, causes moisture damage to the structure.
Pool water temperatures should be maintained at ASHRAE recommended temperatures.
ASHRAE 1999 HVAC APPLICATIONS MANUAL STATES:
“Air temperatures in public and institutional pools should be maintained
2 to 4 Degrees above the water temperature (but not above the comfort threshold
of 86 Degrees F) to reduce the evaporation rate and avoid the chill effect on
swimmers”.
A practical heating alternative such as an inline gas duct furnace, electric
duct heater, hot water coil, boiler, etc. must be utilized to maintain appropriate
air temperatures within the structure.
REMEMBER: you must move a flow of warm air through the duct system across all glass surfaces and any surfaces prone to reaching Dew Point Temperature and condensating)and condition (heat) the room to maintain the 2 Degree Temperature Differential. You cannot do that with radiant floor heat or trying to heat the air with pool water.
Note: In therapy/rehab and some swimming schools, pool temperature is kept warmer. Dehumidification is sized to accommodate the increased evaporation rate of these projects.
EPS is the home of DRY-AIR & VERI-DRY. We provide Design, Engineering, Consulting and Manufacturing for Residential and Commercial Indoor Swimming Pool Applications.
