We've just built a pool...more or less geometric...with one edge extended a bit as a "lap lane". We're trying to swim as year-round as possible in Knoxville, TN. If we were to leave a pool cover over the pool that's NOT the lap lane, in conjunction with a heat pump, do you think that'd be sufficient to retain enough heat to make swimming feasible when the air temperature gets into the mid-40s or so?
In the "covered section" of the pool, the water's about 5 ft deep, but also has about half of it is a "sun-shelf". In my limited aquatic experience, I'm thinking (hoping?) that covering this area and just leaving it covered all the time would trap enough heat to keep the temperature reasonable. Especially since that water around the sun-shelf SHOULD run a little warmer in general. We've avoided considering a gas heater since the operating expense would be prohibitive.
Thanks in advance for any input. We haven't bought ANYTHING yet. We're looking for some valued input from folks that aren't trying to sell us something!
In the "covered section" of the pool, the water's about 5 ft deep, but also has about half of it is a "sun-shelf". In my limited aquatic experience, I'm thinking (hoping?) that covering this area and just leaving it covered all the time would trap enough heat to keep the temperature reasonable. Especially since that water around the sun-shelf SHOULD run a little warmer in general. We've avoided considering a gas heater since the operating expense would be prohibitive.
Thanks in advance for any input. We haven't bought ANYTHING yet. We're looking for some valued input from folks that aren't trying to sell us something!