The swimming pool is an important amenity for any HOA. The pool promotes relaxation and social interaction while offering homeowners a place to enjoy much-needed exercise.

Swimming is often called the “perfect exercise” because it exercises almost all muscles and burns calories without stressing joints and muscles. However, for this to be possible, water temperature must be comfortable.

Heating a pool with gas can cost thousands of dollars each year. Solar heating, on the other hand, offers a cost-effective and simple alternative. A properly designed solar heater can almost eliminate the gas heating bill during the pool season and cut it in half during the winter months. Solar heating systems can often pay for themselves within a couple of years.

The pool’s existing filtration system pumps water through the solar collectors and the collected heat is transferred into the pool. Because solar pool-heating collectors operate just slightly warmer than the surrounding air temperature, these systems typically use inexpensive, unglazed low-temperature collectors made from specially formulated plastic materials.

Off-the-shelf packages are generally appropriate and maintenance of solar pool-heating systems is minimal. The systems are pre-engineered and can be sized for any pool by adding additional solar panels until an adequate square-footage of solar collector area is achieved.

The only moving part on a solar pool-heating system is the diverting valve, which controls whether the water circulates through the collector loop. When the collector temperature is sufficiently greater than the pool temperature, the water is diverted from the filter systems through the collector loop. The water bypasses the solar collectors during nighttime or cloudy periods.

Adding a pool cover will further enhance the temperature of a swimming pool and should be considered along with the solar pool-heating system to prevent heat loss.

The market for solar pool-heating systems has been strong over the years with approximately 25,000 systems sold in the United States in 1999. This number represents about one-fifth of all pool heaters sold annually. Contact the Solar Energy Industries Association to locate a solar pool-heating system retailer near you.

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Diapers in Pool

Question: What actions can be taken to prevent a tenant from circulating a petition against a board decision to prohibit diapered persons from swimming in the HOA’s pool and spa?

Answer: American citizens have the right to circulate petitions for any legal reason. Tenants, however, have no legal standing with a homeowners’ association, so the board is not obligated to respond. But that aside, the board policy is valid since it addresses a health risk to residents. See www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.

Pool Lifeguards

Question: We have been having board discussions at meetings about our HOA pool safety. We have a four-foot-tall fence with key-locked gates. We have rules and consequences if they are not followed. Should the pool be supervised by an HOA lifeguard or pool monitor?

Answer: Unless your HOA is wealthy enough to provide a lifeguard during all pool hours, pool operations are typically “use at your own risk.” That said, the homeowners’ association is responsible to keep the fence, gates and locks in good condition.

When the pool season is over, a safety type pool cover should be installed. All safety covers must conform to the Standard Performance Specification set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), be able to support a certain amount of weight and not permit gaps that a child or pet could squeeze through. Loop Loc brand covers, for example, are built from extremely strong material and are secured tightly to the deck by heavy-duty springs and brass anchors. This design prevents children and pets from gaining access to the water.

Prohibiting after-dark swimming makes sense, since it will likely disturb the neighbors and often attracts party-goers who may be intoxicated. An adult resident should accompany minors 14 years old and younger and all guests. Finally, ask your HOA insurance agent about other suggestions to reduce pool risk. They are usually prepared with a laundry list.

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Author : Richard Thompson
Company : Regenesis.net
Richard L. Thompson of Regenesis.net is the nationally recognized HOA expert. Article reprinted with permission of Regenesis.net.

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