The fun summer days are knocking at your door. Your neighbor has already started their pool maintenance workflows to make it ready for swimming.
You also begin to maintain your workflow and do everything like balance the water, test PH level, and so on. But what about the temperature of your pool water when it’s a hot topic in the community?
You don’t want to boil yourself by jumping into hot soap when the outside temperature is a hundred and eighty-seven. At the same time, you don’t dive into your ice-cold pool as you’re not a penguin or polar bear.
So, what is a good swimming pool temperature? Stick with us till the end of this guide to get the answer.
Why is Pool Temperature Important?
We say before that pool temperature is a hot topic. Why?
How you feel comfortable when swimming completely depends on the temperature of your pool.
Besides, the temperature also controls the chemistry level of your pool water.
If the water is warm, bacteria and algae make their home in your pool. Now, you may ask- what’s the ideal temperature to grow bacteria and algae? Its above 85-degree Fahrenheit (29°C). As a result, bacteria or algae affect the pool temperature and fail to balance the PH level of water. And later, it will affect the swimmer.
So, controlling the pool temperature is indispensable (which we will cover later).
What’s the Ideal Pool Temperature?
Most of the experts recommend having the temperature level for average swimmers is between 77-82° Fahrenheit or 25-28°Celcius. So, this is the optimal temperature for your pool.
However, it depends on you. Some of us prefer to swim comparatively in cool water, while many of us love to dive into pleasant warm water. We suggest you keep your pool water temperature 88-degree Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, if you love pleasant warmth, make sure the temperature is 85-degree Fahrenheit.
What is the Ideal Pool Temperature For Seniors?
If older or senior citizens are in your house or want to use your pool, we recommend you set the temperature to 86-88 degrees Fahrenheit.
They will feel comfortable to pass the leisure with fun.
The US Water Fitness Association described the temperature between 84-90 degrees as friendly for beginners to learn to swim.
On the other hand, a warmer temperature between 90-92 degrees Fahrenheit will be a joint pain killer for older people.
What is the Ideal Pool Temperature for Toddlers?
For toddlers especially 6 to 10 years old girls or boys, we recommend you to keep the water temp between 84-86 degrees Fahrenheit (28°C-30°C).
What is the Swimming Pool Temperature For Babies?
Experts suggest keeping the pool water temp between 86-90 degrees Fahrenheit (30°C-33°C) for babies (3-5 years old or more than 12 lbs). It should be at least 32°C for 3-month old babies.
When You Need A Cooler Temperature?
If you want to make your child or yourself ready to participate in an Olympic competition or any other watersports, you should keep the water temperature cooler (77 or below 70 degrees).
Of course, you must hire a professional to monitor the swimming.
According to the National Center for Cold Water Safety, the temperature below 77 degrees starts affecting the breath.
Now, a question that may arise in your head is- why cooler temperature is better for competition?
The simple answer is- the warmer water may cause the swimmer to overheat or dehydrate.
What Pool Temperature is too cold?
According to the National Center for Cold Water Safety, below 40 degrees F. is too cold and your skin will feel the pain of burning skin. And below 50 degrees F. is enough to stop your breathing and even lead you to death.
You can’t even think clearly if you dive into that level of cool water.
How to Measure Your Pool Temperature?
You can measure the pool temperature in multiple ways.
If you are using any heater for your pool, you find a built-in thermostat that gives you a constant reading of your pool water.
However, many pool owners prefer to use a thermometer to get the most accurate read-out.
You can find different types of thermometers in the market including:
- A digital or wireless thermometer
- Infrared thermometer
- Analog floating thermometer
How to Check Pool Temperature Without Thermometer
What if you have no thermometer to check your pool water temperature? Yes, at some point, we encounter this problem.
Keep in mind; you don’t need to get a precise degree of heat if you wish to examine the water temperature.
Using your hand or elbow is the best and effective way to get a rough idea of whether your pool water is hot, cold, lukewarm.
First off, bring your hand and hold it above the water. If heat radiates from the water, know the water is hot enough. Even it may burn your skin if you dive into your pool.
On the other hand, if you don’t feel hot, your pool water will be cold or at room temperature.
Alternatively, you can also dip your elbow into the water to feel the temperature.
If you can hold your elbow in the water for 5-10 seconds, understand the water is slightly warm, and the temperature will be around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pool Water Temperature vs Air Temperature
Pool Temperature means the temperature of your pool water.
Experts recommend keeping the pool water temperature between 77-82 degrees Fahrenheit (25°C-28°C). This level of water temp is safe for every average swimmer.
In contrast, air temperature means how hot or cold the surrounding air is. The ideal air temperature should be 2°C higher than the pool water temperature.
How Does Air Temperature Affect Water Temperature
Air temperature directly affects your pool water temperature. An increase in air temp will increase your pool water also.
At the same time, water temperature also controls the air temp. For example, if you live near an ocean, the warm water may bring warmer temp and humidity.
To keep your pool water at its ideal temperature, we recommend you use a pool heater.
The Ways of Controlling Pool Temperature
Using a pool heater is the best way to control the temperature of your pool water. If you are looking for a cheaper option, then consider using a solar pool heater.
The best part of using a heater is- it features a built-in thermostat. Because of this feature, the unit itself shuts off when the water temp level crosses a certain level.
If you don’t want to run the heater day and night, we recommend you use a cover.
It prevents heat loss and reduces the stress of your pool heater. To keep the temp regulated, make sure your heater performs the best.
Whether your heat is working well or malfunctioning, you can understand it by using a thermometer.
How?
If you notice the temperature is increasing or decreasing or not where it should be, use the thermometer to check the water temp.
Then, test your equipment and fix it if you find any problems.
Conclusion
So, what is a good swimming pool temperature?
77°-82° Fahrenheit (25°C-28°C) of pool water temperature is ideal for every average swimmer.
On the other hand, keep the temperature between 86-88 degrees Fahrenheit (30°C-32°C) for older or senior citizens.
When training, you must keep the pool temperature 77 or below 77 degrees (25°C) Fahrenheit.
We recommend you use a pool heater to keep the temperature regulated and adjust the water temp according to your comfort level.