Choosing a contractor to design and install your indoor pool system is about as close to a leap of faith as you will find. Experience is a must and a proven track record is a close second. There are SO many factors that make indoor pool environments difficult. Of course there is the moisture issue- how we deal with that hurdle is the key to our past successes. The first step is proper construction techniques. I always suggest the use of a spray foam insulation for the exterior walls and ceiling. basically, I want a big , super insulated plastic bag and I will deal with the moisture and air exchange from there. Duct design and engineering is another key factor. I prefer a sub slab ( underground) system in most cases as it allows me to wash all of the glass with warm dry air. This reduces the condensation at all levels and provieds a good air turnover. Duct sizing and grill locations are vital as these systems move a lot of air and noise can be an issue if improperly installed.
Dry Air system and ducting
Wow- interior view of the lap pool
What actually provides the dehumidification when the pool is in use? I prefer the Dry Air brand of pool environment systems (www.dry-air.com) for this purpose. These units dehumidify the space, provide heating , cooling, and pool heating all in one neat package. Another important feature is the incredibly small footprint they take up. The photo above is a 7 ton system that is installed in a 8x12 ft space. There is an exterior fluid cooler ( see photo below) that completes the mechanical system. This one was installed 80 ft away from the structure using Uponor Ecoflex piping underground.
remote exterior fluid cooler
pool with automatic cover closed
Here is a brief review of the entire system ( attached house and pool addition). The system was designed to allow the separate structures to work in unison.
- The main house features a Weil Mclain Ultra modulating gas boiler that serves the homes air handler, radiant floors and domestic hot water demands. The boiler also heats the pool ( 2nd stage of pool heat) , the radiant heated cement floor around the pool, and acts as the 2nd stage of heat for the pool air system. WOW- that is using technology to its fullest and keeping the maintenance to a minimum. - A Carrier variable speed 3 zone hydro-air system heats the 2 story post and beam primary residence. - 2 zones of Viega staple down radiant heat the bath and laundry tile floors - the new pool addition features a radiant heated slab around the pool and entry hall - the pool space is conditioned by a 7 ton Dry Air pool environment system. The supply ducts serve the space from under the pool deck ( special epoxy coated gasketed spiral duct) with 3 large returns near the ceiling at the mechanical room end of the pool - the pool water is heated by the Dry Air (1st stage is a reclaim system that uses the excess heat from the dehumidification process to heat the pool water . This is done with a plate to plate heat exchanger) and house boiler ( house boiler serves a shell and tube style heat exchanger that is triggered when the pool reclaim system falls short of the demand) - the pool air is also heated by Dry Air system as the 1st stage. The house boiler is pulled in as the 2nd stage ( if needed)
boiler piping
pool mechanical room piping and pool heat exchangers
Orchard Valley Heating and Cooling has been presented with two national design / installation awards this past year! A Radiant Panel Association System Showcase award and most recently, a Contracting Business magazine "Quality Home Comfort Award" for a radiant / hydro-air residence in Heath Mass. This remarkable home was designed by Austin Design of Colrain MASS (413-624-9669) and features an amazing indoor lap pool. Take a look at the awards page for more info. This is the 7th first place award in the past 8 years. If you are in the market for quality- you are at the right place!!
