Pool Temp

  • What should the temperature of a swimming pool be?

    The decision on how warm to keep the pool is up to the individual owner. The pool temperature recommended by the American Red Cross for competitive swimming is 78° F. However, this may be too cool for young children and the elderly who may require 80° F or higher. The typical range is 78°- 82° F. The latest readings had both North and South pools at 80° F.

    (Keep in mind that the energy consumption for each degree rise in warmth will cost from 10 to 30% more in energy costs, depending on your location. In warmer climates the percentage is higher due to the relatively low cost of heating to 78° F.
     
    Why should a pool used for competitive swimming be kept cooler?

    If you are vigorously training, your body generates an increased amount of heat energy. In air, this heat is dissipated by sweating. The evaporation of the sweat is the cooling mechanism to help control the body temperature at 98.6° F. In water, your body generates the same amount of heat, but there is no evaporation to provide cooling. Cooling is provided by conduction/convection of heat from your warm body to the cool water. This is roughly proportional to the temperature difference between your body and the water. The warmer the water the less heat is dissipated.

    - The pool temperature information above was edited by Chris Whitten based on combined source material from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Division of Educational Programs of Argonne National Laboratory.