It’s summer, so why insulate?

With the predicted weather for summer 2015, if you are lucky enough to own a swimming pool, it will undoubtedly get a lot of use. But we’re sure something that will probably not cross your mind is making sure it is properly insulated during the next few months. Swimming pools are renowned for having high energy demands due to the fact no one wants to swim in a cold pool. However, another reason for this is usually due to inadequate insulation. Swimming pools lose energy via two main mechanisms; evaporation and conduction. Evaporation of water from the surface of an uncovered, outdoor pool accounts for about 70% of heat loss. This increases with higher water temperatures, higher wind speeds (for outdoor pools) and lower moisture content of the surrounding air. Here at isoenergy we recommend two easy methods to reduce evaporation from your pool: pool cover1. Wind Breaks: A border of trees, shrubs or a fence next to your pool can reduce the wind speed, lowering the evaporation rate. However do not allow these wind breaks too near to the pool otherwise they may cast shadows. This will reduce solar energy input into the pool which is a great natural heat source. 2. Solar Pool Covers: Priced at around £1.30/sqmetre, these high performance solar covers resemble a layer of bubble wrap. The solar energy reaches the air pockets inside the cover, acting like a greenhouse to heat and trap thermal energy inside the pool. Ensuring the cover is on when not in use will not only act as a barrier to evaporation, but also act as an extra heat input. However, heavy duty covers will be needed when winter returns as freezing water can damage them. Conduction from pool walls to surrounding surfaces (soil) accounts for most of the remaining 30% heat losses. If these outer walls are surrounded with polystyrene, it can reduce the losses by up to 90%. Expanded polystyrene contains millions of tiny air bubbles surrounded by a thin film. By encasing the walls with this material you will have created something similar to a thermos flask. As a result the efficiency of your pool will be increasing, whilst your energy bills are decreasing. In spite of these solutions if you are looking for a more permanent way to secure lower energy bills for the heating of your pool, an air source heat pump is a practical option. Through the use of a compressor, low grade thermal energy from the surrounding air is transferred to a refrigerant and its temperature is raised. This energy is then transferred to the pool water. It is an extremely efficient method of heating an outdoor pool, saving you a lot of money on your energy bills. If the recent dramatic and possibly temporary improvement in the British weather has inspired you to build a swimming pool, we strongly recommend you consider using polystyrene blocks to surround your pool walls. If however you already have a pool, inner polystyrene liners are available. I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy the most of this beautiful weather. But don’t forget, just because it’s hot doesn’t mean you should ignore the issue of insulation. Article written by Emily Haggett

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