Evaporation rates and total energy loads from an unoccupied, heated, o
utdoor pool in Fort Collins, Colorado were investigated. Pool and air
temperatures, humidity, thermal radiation, wind speed, and water loss
due to evaporation were measured over 21 test periods ranging from 1.1
to 16.2 hours during August and September, 1992. Data were analyzed a
nd compared to commonly used evaporation rate equations, most notably
that used in the ASHRAE Applications Handbook. Measured evaporation wa
s 72% of the ASHRAE calculated value with near-zero wind velocity, and
82% of the ASHRAE value at 2.2 m/s wind velocity. A modified version
of the ASHRAE equation was developed. Two overnight tests showed energ
y loss of 56% by evaporation, 26% by radiation, and 18% by convection.
A correlation between radiation loss and temperatures was also found
for the range of test conditions.