outdoor/indoor pools Austin (Howe: house, school, costs)

[zoetman]

We are strongly considering moving to Austin for many reasons. I have a question about warm pools. I am disabled and require a warm pool. While I'm sure we could install a heated pool in our backyard, I do notice that the temperatures can get chilly in the winter. Do people swim outdoors all year there in heated pools? We're coming from FL where it is possible to swim all year out of doors in a heated pool. Are we barking up the wrong tree w/Austin. Maybe Tucson would be better; however I really don't think we would like the desert with minimal rainfall. We love the rain and austin seems perfect to us in many ways. Any input on the swimming situation would be helpful. Thanks!

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by zoetman

We are strongly considering moving to Austin for many reasons. I have a question about warm pools. I am disabled and require a warm pool. While I'm sure we could install a heated pool in our backyard, I do notice that the temperatures can get chilly in the winter. Do people swim outdoors all year there in heated pools? We're coming from FL where it is possible to swim all year out of doors in a heated pool. Are we barking up the wrong tree w/Austin. Maybe Tucson would be better; however I really don't think we would like the desert with minimal rainfall. We love the rain and austin seems perfect to us in many ways. Any input on the swimming situation would be helpful. Thanks!

I swim outdoors year round. The private club pool I swim in is of course heated in the winter. The "dash" from the locker room to the pool in January and February can be somewhat unpleasant but I wear a swimming parka to keep me warm.

There are a few days per year where we have ice and simply getting to the pool is a problem. But that doesn't happen often.

Many, perhaps most, age group competitive swimmers swim outdoors year round in this part of Texas.

As long as the distance from your house to your pool is manageable a heated outdoor pool is perfectly workable. Note that most heated outdoor pools are covered with insulated tarps in the winter to retain heat. Otherwise your propane costs will be huge.

[iceshots]

If you love the rain, don't come to Austin. We are in the middle of one of the worst droughts in history.

Technically you could swim in an outdoor pool all year, but you are going to pay a fortune in propane. While winters are mild, it can get down to freezing on the odd day. And then be back up to 80 in a few days.

We use our heater to heat up the spa section only. Heating up the pool would drain the 280 gallon tank in a couple of days. I have heard of some people doing it, though I would hate to pay for it. You would definately need a solar blanket to retain the heat, or at least use the liquid solar blankets that reduce evaporation.

Some of the city pools used to stay open and heated all year long for school swim teams, but they are stopping that practise to save money in the budget.

[Trainwreck20]

Some of the city pools used to stay open and heated all year long for school swim teams

Some are still heated, but realize that 'heated' just means a tiny bit warmer than they would be otherwise....they ain't exactly toasty.

[blakely]

We don't use our pool heater from April to October (although the water is a bit cool in April & October, but manageable). In the summer the water stays warm 24/7.

However, you could not get me in our pool in the middle of January. Last year my boys dared each other and got in, but the temp was about 58 or so (on a good day, colder when it gets freezing).

Perhaps you like swimming in those temperatures (I know people that do!), but for me, I would use the pool heater in the winter if I wanted to swim.

[iceshots]

I think our pool stayed about 60 through most of the winter. The pool design must contribute to consistent temperatures because it stayed about 85 through most of the summer. No major fluctuations either way due to daily temperatures.

I agree, no swimming in winter. But the hot tub is nice.