A pool works great on those hot summer days, but with the sun beating down it isn’t always easy keeping it cool.
Adding a pool water feature such as a pool mister or pool coolers can drastically reduce the temperature in and around your pool.
This adds a level of comfort not only when you are sitting by the pool, but also while in the water.
What Are Pool Water Misters?
Pool misters use a natural evaporation process that injects cool water (or mist) into your pool to lower its temperature.
There’s basically two ways you can add mist to your pool.
The first is by installing a misting system around your patio and pool area. This type of mister uses tubing installed on a pergola, and has multiple points along the tube where mist is emitted.
These systems are available in low, medium, or high pressure (PSI), and are easy to install for most handy people. They conveniently hook up to an outdoor water spigot, and come in various lengths of tubing to accommodate any outdoor space size.
The tubing gets fastened to the structure using wall-mount cable clips. At the misting point are small valves, which are fully adjustable to control the amount of mist output.
The second way to cool a pool’s water is to use a mister that operates as more of a fountain – these are called pool coolers.
This type of mister attaches to your pool’s return jet port, and sticks out of the water like a snorkel. The water from the jet is redirected up through the pipe, shooting water out, and as a result cooling the pool.
These return jet style coolers can be purchased in various styles and lengths, and some DIYers can even make their own version for very little money.
The Pros & Cons
I know what you’re thinking.
People pay a good deal of money to swim in a heated pool.
Why would you want to cool down the water using mist? Isn’t that counter productive?
Pros
First things first – cool pool water is easier to swim in. This is because the temperature of the human body becomes elevated during physical exertion. Swimming in a very warm pool can lead to muscle spasms/cramps, as well as heart and lung issues for some people.
Cooling down pool water also prolongs the lifespan of chlorine. When UV rays from the sun heat the water, chlorine naturally breaks down. Cooler water will keep the chlorine level regulated, so you’re not spending as money constantly replacing it.
Misting systems are also relatively inexpensive, quiet, repel bugs, keep vegetation in the pool area healthy, and are fun for kids. If you pair the mister with other pool water features (such as waterfalls and deck jets), you can lower the water temperature even further.
Cons
Misting systems are available at multiple price points, but if you require a heavy duty system, you will be paying a few thousand dollars for it.
In addition, some of the pool coolers that use return jets can be a bit of an eyesore, with a few DIY models coming across as especially hacky.
A Cost Breakdown
As mentioned, misting systems have a few different price points. This depends on if you want low, medium, or high pressure, as well as how much length of tubing you require.
Obviously, if you have a large backyard to outfit, it’s going to be a bit more expensive. However, short-length low pressure systems start as low as $20, while large, high-pressure systems range between $1000 to $3000.
If you go with the return jet coolers, they’re very affordable at around $50 each. They’re also easily removable so you don’t have to keep them attached to your pool when not in use.
The nice thing about pool coolers is the operation costs are non-existent, as they only redirect water from the return jets.
However, the patio-style misting system will increase your monthly bills, as they require a dedicated water line for use.
Pool Mister Ideas (And 5 Examples)
What kind of pool mister should you add to your pool area? Here are the main ones you’ll come across:
- Patio Misting System
- Tall Pool Coolers
- Waterline Pool Coolers
- DIY Pool Coolers
- Pool Aerator
Let’s look at some real examples:
Example #1: Patio Misting System
This is the most elaborate setup you can get for adding mist to your pool and patio area.
With this setup, tubing is fastened to the pergola, and hooked up to an outside water line. Turning on the water will instantly give you fresh mist, which is adjustable using valves on the tube.
Example #2: Tall Pool Cooler
Image by Mist Cooling
This pool cooler comes with a connection piece that attaches to your pool’s return jets. Water from the jet is then shot up the pipe and released into the atmosphere, where it mixes with oxygen.
This mixture cools down the water, before it lands in the pool, lowering the pool water’s overall temperature.
Example #3: Waterline Pool Cooler
Similar to tall pool coolers in operation, this version is designed to blend into the pool a bit better, as it uses transparent pipe and sits very close to the waterline.
It costs around $50, is available in different depth lengths, and has a slightly adjustable height. Coolers such as this one can be easily attached and removed for convenience.
Example #4: DIY Pool Coolers
If you don’t want to pay the $50 price tag for a pre-built pool cooler, and you enjoy DIY projects, you can build your own version for very cheap.
All you need is some PVC piping, joints, and a connection piece to your pool jet. In this case, they’ve designed their cooler horizontally, so it doesn’t stick out of the pool so much.
Example #5: Pool Aerator
Image by Hooli Home
Again, this technology uses the pool’s return jets to provide water and thrust.
The main difference is that it has a nicer aesthetic than the vertical pool coolers, and the arching water produces a fountain of droplets rather than a spray.
Ready to Jump In?
Cooling your pool’s water is advantageous in more ways than one. Besides being visually interesting, a pool mister benefits the water, your monthly chlorine tab, and swimmers themselves.
Whether you choose a misting system or pool coolers, they’re a fairly inexpensive way to help you get the most out of your pool.
