Energy Saving Tips for Swimming Pool Owners
An estimated 10.4 million homes with swimming pools are in the United States. Unfortunately, your air-conditioning system sucks up a lot of your dollars during the hot summer months. However, if you are one of those lucky homeowners with a pool, you already know your pool is nearly as big of an energy guzzler as your air-conditioning system.
So, how can you make your pool more energy efficient and pick up some much-needed energy savings during the hottest part of the year?
Here are some energy- and money-saving tips for swimming pools.
Pool Finish
First, look at your pool’s finish. If your pool has a light finish, the heat from the summer sun is reflected, and there will be no energy savings. If your pool has a dark finish, such as black or blue, it will absorb the sun’s rays instead of reflecting them. That means you can use that heat to keep your pool at a warmer temperature. This isn’t a big deal in the South, where both the day and night temperatures are warm. But, in the Northeast, nights are cooler. Not everyone enjoys a dark finish to a pool. Some people would rather have white. But, if you want to save money in the long run, choose a darker finish.
Pools Landscape
Second, have your pool area landscaped to prevent heat loss and decrease evaporation. You may not realize it, but plants around a pool greatly benefit. A beautiful landscape not only looks great and gives your pool a tropical and welcoming feel, but it lowers energy costs because the amount of heat escaping the pool has decreased, thus saving you money.
Pool Pump Maintenance
Third, check your pump. How old is it? Today’s Energy Star-certified pumps can help you to save energy and money because they are variable-speed pumps rather than older single-speed pumps. Newer pumps use energy more efficiently and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
Plumbing Checks
You may want to check your plumbing. Again, if you have an older pool, it may use pipes that are too narrow or include tight turns. In addition, corrosion to the pipes can happen over time. This all means your pool pump has to work much harder. Older plumbing can cost you far more in the long run than having new updated plumbing installed.
Newest Heating Technologies
Check into advanced heating technology for your pool. There may be many options available depending on where you live. Some locations can take advantage of solar hot water through panels if you are in an area with adequate sun. Depending on where you live, you might also be able to take advantage of thermal heating. Some new technologies allow pools to be heated from the bottom up rather than the top down, which is not as efficient.
Pool Covers
Pool covers are an easy and excellent way to reduce utility costs. If possible, get an automatic pool cover. First, it can help to protect children and pets from drowning. Second, it prevents both heat loss and evaporation.
Upgrade Pool Filter
You may want to use a larger pool filter. A more oversized filter allows more water to flow, so your water pump isn’t working as hard to move water in the pool. Larger filters reduce the amount of energy needed to carry water, but they also extend the life of your pool pump. In addition, larger filters make a more energy-efficient pool.
Pool Lighting
Change your pool lights if possible. Newer pools have LED lights. If you change from incandescent lights to LEDs, your savings could be 75 percent or more annually because LEDs are much more energy efficient. You may want to call your utility company to see if you qualify for a rebate if you switch to LED lights, which means you could save money and energy.
With so many ways to save energy and money, you will indeed find one that works for you.
Learn More Energy Saving Tips for Swimming Pool Owners
If you need more information, do not hesitate to contact BPS, The Backyard Pool Specialists, located in Cypress, Texas. We are a top pool builder serving the areas of Houston, Cypress, Barker Cypress, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Tomball, Magnolia, Montgomery, Conroe and beyond.
We can help you with any energy-saving tips you feel would work for you. We install many swimming pools with different pool finishes as a pool builder. We sell only top-of-the-line, energy-efficient pool equipment, from pool pumps to lighting and more. Our complete line of backyard living designs creates fabulous backyard poolscapes.
