Autumn doesn’t have to mean the end of swimming

Autumn doesn't have to mean the end of swimming

Sadly, March signals the end of summer; however this doesn’t have to mean the end of your swim season.

Problem No. 1: It’s getting a bit cool outside
Solution: Sustainable heating
There are a range of options to keep your pool a more comfortable temperature for you during the cooler months. Solar is the most environmentally friendly, with a strong return on investment because of our (mostly) sunny weather; plus, they have virtually no operating costs, just the cost of the electricity required to pump the pool water through the solar absorber on the roof.

Another environmentally friendly option is a heat pump, which is more energy efficient than gas. If you have a pool cover, using it will help your pool maintain its warmth.

Problem No. 2: The days are shorter
Solution: Efficient lighting
Adequate lighting can increase the appeal of your pool on days when the sun isn’t shining as bright as it would during the height of summer.

There is a strong movement towards LED lighting at the moment; this is due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. However currently, the majority of pools still feature halogen lighting, which are cheap and easy to replace.

Swimart stocks a range of LED and halogen pool lights to cater to your needs, including multi-coloured, blue and white.

Problem No. 3: The water chemistry is off balance
Solution: Ongoing maintenance
Keeping up your regular maintenance routine during autumn and winter will make your pool much more appealing to swim in, and will save you a lot of work restoring your pool to top condition when summer rolls back around.

All it takes is a quick, once a week inspection of your pool; check your equipment is working properly (especially your filter, which should be running for three to four hours a day), check the water level, empty the skimmer basket and check your chlorine and pH levels. The pool’s pH level needs to be between 7.2 and 7.6. Taking a sample of pool water to your local Swimart store will tell you exactly what the pH is.