Indoor Pool Humidity Control and SWG- Best Practice?

[esn13_jrr14]

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice on humidity control for my recently acquired indoor pool. Some background: the pool is currently drained, has four skylights and three ceiling fans. The pool was built in 1990 and the previous owners of my home just used a furnace for climate control. This furnace is inoperable at the moment. HVAC ducts are placed by each six sliding glass doors that lead to the exterior of the home. No HVAC is ducted to the skylights. There are obvious signs of issues, which I'm accrediting to moisture; the ceiling drywall appears to exhibit minor sagging in areas, all metal HVAC vents and sliding glass door frames are rusty.

I recently explored some humidity control options, most notably a Desert Aire unit and a Quest Dry dehumidifer that is placed inline with the furnace. The Desert Aire unit was ballparked at $15-20K and the Quest was about $3400. So obviously the Desert Aire is out...

My questions are...

1. Is a dehumidifer absolutely necessary? I've read some threads where it's just been suggested to just cover the pool.
2. Is an AC unit required? When I talk to these dehumidifer people they all say it is, but then they say it doesn't matter as long as the room is 2 degrees hotter than the water, which to me, means an AC unit isn't required.
3. The skylights... are these just used to exhaust hot air in the summer?
4. The SWG... is this causing the rust or is the humidity? Is this even the correct equipment for an indoor pool?

Thanks in advance!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Eric, I hope you'll find some answers here.

I noticed the back walls outside appear moldy? Is that also an enclosed area in need of ventilation?

Maddie

 

[esn13_jrr14]

Hi Maddie!

I hope someone on here has some experience with this, I'm a little lost on next steps!

The area you're referencing is actually a greenhouse, but yes, it needed some ventilation as well. Since we ventilated the greenhouse it has cleared up and is growing some vegetables!

 

[duraleigh]

My questions are...

1. Is a dehumidifer absolutely necessary? I've read some threads where it's just been suggested to just cover the pool. I would say, "Yes". Covering and uncovering the pool would be a non-starter for me and may STILL not do what you want....at least, not very well.

2. Is an AC unit required? When I talk to these dehumidifer people they all say it is, but then they say it doesn't matter as long as the room is 2 degrees hotter than the water, which to me, means an AC unit isn't required. I am not sure I understand the function an AC would provide but if you have multiple professionals telling you you need it......

3. The skylights... are these just used to exhaust hot air in the summer? I assume they open. I would still think they are primarily for lighting

4. The SWG... is this causing the rust or is the humidity? Is this even the correct equipment for an indoor pool? It's the humidity mostly causing the rust. Not sure why you need an SWG on an indoor pool......there is little FC demand.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]

 

[ajw22]

The best indoor pools have a separate HVAC and ventilation system from the main house.

What temp do you intend to maintain the pool and what range of temps do you see the room being?

 

[esn13_jrr14]

Dave - I'm not sure why the original owner went with a SWG. Do you have any other recommendations for an indoor pool?

Allen - The pool room has it's own HVAC ducting. The pool will be two degrees cooler than the air. More than likely I'll run the pool at 80F and the air will be set to 82F.

 

[duraleigh]

Do you have any other recommendations for an indoor pool?

I would use liquid chlorine/bleach. Your consumption will be quite low and you will add nothing to your pool you don't want.

 

[jblizzle]

I don't see a problem using the SWG ... if the demand is low, then the cell will just not have to produce very much and should last a long time.

Certainly still easier than adding bleach every day

 

[duraleigh]

Bliz brings up a good point. If the SWG is already there and operational, I would go ahead and use it.

 

[esn13_jrr14]

I used bleach for my last pool with great success. I'll give the SWG a try since it's already in place.

Does anyone have any recommendation on heating/dehumidification systems? Had a HVAC company that works with indoor pools come by yesterday. He's going to supply a quote (in a couple weeks... <sigh>) for a system. He said he'd quote a system that heats and dehumidifies in one piece of equipment. He expects it to be ~$10k.