Do we need villa pool heating in June/July?

[US192]

Hi, we're going to Florida for 4 weeks from 16th June. We have only ever been in Oct/Nov in the past, and we're not sure if we will need the pool at the villa heated or not.

All of the villa websites we've seen recommend pool heat from around October to March - suggesting therefore that heat is not required from April to September. Is this really the case?

We will have a three year old with us, and don't want to put her off swimming because the water is too cold. On the other hand as we're going for 4 weeks it will not be cheap to heat the pool if we don't need to.

I appreciate we can go and "test the water" as it were, and then arrange via the management company to have the heating turned on (its a private rental, so we shouldn't get stung for exhorbitant charges if we need to do this), however Ijust wanted to get some indication from fellow Dibbers if pool heating might be needed in order that we can set aside a contingency fund if required.

Thanks in advance.

[Guest]

We were there from 11th June till 4th July 2010. We had a south facing pool we didnt have pool heating and we are going this year on 29th June for 3 weeks and have not booked pool heat this year either. It is really quite nice to get into the pool to cool off as it is very hot at that time of year

[steve@mac155.f]

You should not need pool heat for your dates, but however when you get there if the pool is to cold for your little one you could heat it for just a bit of your stay at the beginning then have it turned off as it gets hotter.

Steve

[Guest]

I don't think the pool will need heated, June and July are usually severely Hot and a full day of Sun should be enough to bring the Temp up.

[Guest]

From our experience I would say absolutely not, and I don't think you really need the heat during the day to help.

We might have a long lie on a rest day and not hit the pool until mid-morning but it was fine for us and a good way to cool down.

If you are hot because of being in the sun, a young one might get a bit of a shock factor initially.
Maybe put the little one under the lanai For a bit if you have one or take them inside to cool down a bit first.

[Guest]

In our experience, I would wait until you get there. We are going in June and last time we went our dd was only 3 and the water WAS too cold for us. We called the agent to have the heat switched on and they told us to use the pool cover - which we hadn't even taken any notice of. It was like a giant sheet of bubble wrap and we left it on all day whilst we were out and it was like getting into a warm bath for early evening swimming. Put it back on overnight and was still lovely next morning. So I would see if your villa has a cover or 'blanket' first but little ones ARE easily put off by cold pool.

This time she is 5 and even now we are going to take our own advice and do as above.

Some people don't mind cool water, for others it's not an enjoyable experience, especially when you are on your hols. ( and it would be such a shame to have that private pool and end up hardly using it)

Hope this helps

[US192]

Thanks to everyone for your comments - they're appreciated!

[ncmurray]

We usually visit Florida in August, and we always use pool heat. As already said, it is a personal decision. Perhaps stick your toe in the water, so to speak!, and see what it is like when you first arrive. If it is bearable, then all is well, but if you find it too cold for you, then call the management company and see what deal you can reach.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by wenzitmyturn

We called the agent to have the heat switched on and they told us to use the pool cover - which we hadn't even taken any notice of. It was like a giant sheet of bubble wrap and we left it on all day whilst we were out and it was like getting into a warm bath for early evening swimming. Put it back on overnight and was still lovely next morning. So I would see if your villa has a cover or 'blanket' first

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^An excellent tip.^ Most pool covers are able to absorb sunlight which heats the pool more than just the ambient air temperature. The cover also prevents heat loss when the sun has set.

From June to September the pool should be warm enough. The water may seem cool at first but it's only because you will be so hot in comparison. If you spend 5 minutes inside your air conditioned villa and then get straight in to the pool it will seem nice and warm.

The average temperature of an unheated pool should be similar to the average air temperature across 24 hours. In the summer months this is likely to be over 80F. As the maximum temperature a pool in Florida is permitted to be heated to is 85F, I'd be concerned at paying a lot of extra money for what could be just a couple of degrees extra heat.

[US192]

Originally Posted by brommy

The average temperature of an unheated pool should be similar to the average air temperature across 24 hours. In the summer months this is likely to be over 80F. As the maximum temperature a pool in Florida is permitted to be heated to is 85F, I'd be concerned at paying a lot of extra money for what could be just a couple of degrees extra heat.

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Ah, I didn't know the maximum temperature was 85F. It would seem silly to spend £360 on pushing the temp up a few degrees.

Money better spent in the shops me thinks

Thanks again for the advice.