An indoor pool is a huge investment,
with many factors coming into play in safeguarding its lifespan and ensuring a
lasting return. Chief among them: Proper climate control. While the design of
pool facilities does not fall under the umbrella of the commercial HVAC service
company servicing it, pool dehumidification
and HVAC systems are integral to the safety and longevity of both the pool room
building structure and its inhabitants.
Why Is it So Important to Maintain
Optimal Temperature & Humidity in Your Pool Room?
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) recommends humidity levels in the 50-60% range and temperatures 2-4
degrees above water temperature in the pool room, based on ventilations codes
devised to protect public health and safety. The reasons for such precise
climate management are multifaceted:
- To Maintain ComfortHigh humidity in hot weather is uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. On the flipside, low levels of humidity (dryer air) can cause swimmer discomfort due to evaporative cooling when exiting the pool. For this reason, ASHRAE recommends a relative humidity (RH) of 50-60% paired with a poolroom temperature of 2-4 degrees above water temperature – but not above 86°F.
- To Prevent EvaporationProper RH can prevent evaporation – provided the proper configuration of commercial dehumidification systems including ductwork and grilles that are NOT aimed at the water’s surface, but at exterior walls and windows to eliminate condensation and evaporation.
- To Preserve Indoor Air QualityCommercial HVAC mechanical contractors can also help you protect swimmers against the health dangers associated with mold, mildew and bacteria that thrive in humid poolroom conditions, creating unpleasant odors and potentially leading to respiratory issues, asthma and allergies. This is accomplished not only with dehumidifier technology, but maintaining negative air pressure to prevent the formation of condensation (in walls and ceiling spaces) and the dispersal of moisture and pool room fumes to other occupied areas of your home or building.
- To Guard Against Structural DamagePool dehumidifiers, such as a Dectron pool dehumidifier, can safeguard against the risks of increased humidity within your pool room, including wood rot, metal corrosion, peeling paint, mold and mildew, saving you costly safety and repair issues over the long run as well as upholding the inviting look of your pool space.
- To Control Energy CostsThough it may seem counterintuitive, dehumidifiers not only aid in reducing summer cooling costs, but winter heating bills as well. As dehumidification systems remove excess moisture from the air, heat is given off as water vapor (humidity) is condensed into water. It is this heat that can be captured and transferred to warm your pool in today’s most efficient, technologically advanced dehumidification systems, lowering energy bills.