Pool season in Dallas area?

[ThomasCrown]

The temperature of the pool water in April is generally in the 60's. I swim in our pool usually starting in March or so, without heating it, but I do it as part of my workout routine, and when it's that cold I wear a wet suit. Most people start getting in their pool when it's in the 75+ range, that usually in May like others have said.

When our kids used to use the pool all the time, we would turn the heat on in April-Oct, with occasional use even into November some years.

[BongoBungo]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Depending on your tolerance for water temps, late May until mid to late September. I'm more of a mid-June to early September girl myself.

It varies for everyone. Most of the public pools open either April 1st or May 1st, and closing dates vary from August 31st to September 31st.

Personally, the only months I never swim are November, December, January, and February because it's often warm enough in the other months for me to swim (I don't have a deep pool so the water temperature changes more quickly in response to outside temps). I am an active swimmer so warm up in water that might be too cold for people who just lounge in the water. July and August are actually often too hot for me to swim but just right for sunbathing and then dipping in the water.

[lepoisson]

It's a high of 80 today in DFW. That's definitely pool season for most folks, but the water might be a bit cold.

[pharpe]

It depends on how much sun your pool gets and what the minimum temp is you are will to swim at. Our pool was heavily shaded and my family and friends don't like water colder than 78. Because of that we couldn't use it until late July. It stayed warm until end of September. If you use a solar cover it will add a couple weeks on each end of your season.

As for power consumption there are factors as well. If you are just running the main pump, and you have a modern variable speed pump, there is not much power used. Maybe $20-$30 a month. If you are running hot tubs, water features, or have an old single speed pump that will consume more.

Outside of a solar cover there are other ways to extend you season. I know you mentioned not heating but it really doesn't cost that much in the shoulder months. April, May and June are usually warm enough during the day to warm the pool to swimming temps. The issue is heat loss at night. If you just heat a bit in at night to prevent the loss then you can maintain your water temperature.

Heat pumps extract heat from the air and are extremely efficient to run.

Gas heaters a the fastest and cheapest to purchase. Gas is cheap right now but if you don't have an adequate gas line it gets expensive to install.

There are also solar powered heaters. They basically run pipeline for you filter up through solar panels that are usually placed on the roof. There is no additional energy cost other than a little more strain on the pump.

[oldoak2000]

an inexpensive solar pool cover (the 'bubble wrap' like ones $100/$200) PAY for themselves many times over - can extend season WITHOUT running an expensive heater- and can even seriously reduce heater costs if used in conjunction with a heater (any type).

It's mainly prevents night-time evaportive cooling, which is what really steals the heat from the water.. . . fyi

[DTXman34]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Depending on your tolerance for water temps, late May until mid to late September. I'm more of a mid-June to early September girl myself.

Sounds more like the pool season in the Northeast than Texas.

[HP48G]

Never had a pool. But doesn't it depend on the volume of water?

I imagine those small pools people install in tiny yards get cold/warm up very fast with the change in season, compared to a large deep pool.

[Tigerlily64]

Useful comments from all, many thanks for the responses. A pool cover sounds like a plan if I end up finding a rental home with a pool that doesn't have one.

My current home in Australia has a pool that is in the sun all day and I started using the pool October 1st and last year went through till early May with no cover or heaters. Currently the pool is almost tepid but I'd rather that than shockingly cold! It is however still refreshing on these hot and humid days.

I think from what I have heard that if I can find a good SFH with a pool for rent at the right time I shall go for that - as one of you mentioned, a win-win situation when a rental.

[mSooner]

Depending on your tolerance for water temps, late May until mid to late September. I'm more of a mid-June to early September girl myself.

Same for us. Although in August it is like bathwater and not very refreshing.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

Depending on your tolerance for water temps, late May until mid to late September. I'm more of a mid-June to early September girl myself.

Same here, the mid-June to early September. Kids, however, March through October!