The RSPEC initiative included a series of studies conducted at Colorado State University (CSU) to measure evaporation rate and heat loss in indoor and outdoor pools under quiet and active conditions. Accurate pool evaporation rate calculations are important to designers for proper sizing of HVAC equipment, and to energy analysts for accurate forecasting of pool energy use and potential savings from pool conservation measures. The results of the CSU studies are significant in that they provide, for the first time, evaporation rate correlations based on measurements on actual pools under typical operating conditions. They significantly improve the methods currently used by engineers to calculate pool evaporation rates. The fundamental result of the studies, an improved evaporation rate equation, and the complete outdoor study are available below.

• Pool Evaporation Study - Outdoor Inactive
  Complete Outdoor Study
• Summary of Results of All Pool Evaporation Rate Studies
  Improved Pool Evaporation Rate Equations

This web site is posted here as a service by R. L. Martin & Associates, Inc.. This is a former U.S. Department of Energy program that no longer has any funding so the information is provided here as is.  There is no one to answer any questions anymore, but the site still contains very useful information.