Heating Solutions – Hotels and Resorts
Having a well maintained, inviting pool for your guests is important if you have a pool complex in your hotel or resort. Holiday guests expect pool heating as a standard facility and often the first question asked about a pool is what temperature is the water?
Pool heating can be a major expense for most hotels and resorts if it is not set up correctly or you have not had the right package installed for your pool. Along with having the right heating system, it is important that your equipment is serviced by an authorised technician and fine-tuned to avoid unnecessary high running costs and of course after hour callouts to repair the equipment.Pool Heating NZ can provide servicing as part of your ongoing maintenance package.
Your running costs can run wild if your pool heater is undersized and cannot replace the heat loss created in cold weather conditions. If your pool has a water fountains or a water fall then these features can act as cooling devices and should only be turned on when required. Another way of incurring high operating costs is when the pool heater is not balanced correctly and the water travelling through the heater is not getting the required temperature rise.
The accepted standard for water temperature in swimming pools is 27° to 28°C maximum. Pool water at 30°C and above affects the chemical balance of the water and this can cause the water either to become corrosive or scale to form which can damage the pool heater, heat exchanger or the pool filtration equipment.
Some resorts have indoor pools that are used often by young or elderly guests and so believe that by setting the pool temperatures at a level of 30° to 32°C they will protect their guests and save money. However, what actually happens is that you can risk damaging your heat source through having imbalanced water.
If your property has a spa facility then the water in the spa should be set between 36° and 38°C maximum. Water temperature above 38°C can breed bacteria and cause health issues with guests. Spa pools also require more regular water testing to keep the water balance in check.
The majority of heat loss in a pool occurs from the surface area of the pool water. The coldest portion of the pool is usually the top 50mm. When testing water temperature for accuracy, the reading will always be more reliable from approximately 300mm deep.
There are many ways to heat your pool in a commercial environment. The right system for your property will depend on whether you have roof space, what your budget is, how much room you have in your utility area, amongst other things.
Solar pool heating: There are a number of different types of solar collectors that can be used for commercial pool heating. Solar pool heating works by using special solar thermal pool heating technologies which harness the sun’s heat to warm your pool. When the sun is not available – such as in winter – then your standard pool heater can kick in as a backup system and your pool will stay at the desired temperature even though the solar system isn’t working.
Electric element heaters: An electric heater is easy to connect to the existing electrical power-mains and provides full power round the clock. The water from the swimming pool’s circulation flows through the heater and is heated by the heating element. The heaters are compact and can be installed in all types of pool or spa.
Gas heating: Gas heaters are used in large numbers on pools and spas and give great flexibility to the manager because of their rapid heating ability and robustness. A gas heater is a cost effective way to heat your swimming pool to a comfortable swimming temperature year round. It can provide “on-demand” heating which means your pool will be at the temperature you want it, when you want it, regardless of the weather conditions.
Electric heat pump: Heat pumps are a little like a refrigerator in reverse. A heat pump takes large quantities of air and extracts the heat contained in the air and transfers it to the pool water passing through the unit. These heaters are usually two to three times the cost of a gas heater but the running costs can be two thirds cheaper. Another major feature is that the heater produces approximately 10 litres of condensation per hour that can be piped back to the pool or spa, saving on water usage costs.
There are many pool heat pumps and heating systems available these days designed to deal with the loads of commercial pool heating and they vary depending on your situation and needs. Selecting the correct pool heating solution will ensure that no matter what size the pool is or how long it needs to be heated for each day, you can get the most economical heating solution for
We at Pool Heating NZ are here to help you to select the right solution for your commercial spa, resort or hotel pool. We will work with you find the heating solution that will not only lower your heating costs, but be reliable and easy to maintain. Talk to us today about a pool heating solution by calling 0800 766 543
