Pools and spas are nice amenities, but they can significantly contribute to your energy bill. Some studies show nearly a 50-percent increase in energy consumption.
Your pool pump, which keeps water circulating through a filtering system, could be the most energy-intensive part of your pool. Older pumps run continuously on a single, high-speed setting, but this circulation is more than a typical residential pool needs. An Energy Star-certified pool pump can be programmed to run at different speeds and can pay for itself in as little as two years.
If you heat your pool, try using an efficient heater. Pool heaters that run on natural gas or propane are the most common, but an electric heat-pump water heater or a solar water heater could be more cost-effective. Cover the pool when it’s not in use to keep your heater from working as hard.
Here are some other tips to help reduce those added energy costs:
- Reduce pump speed to reduce energy use. A slower pump reduces power consumption.
- For good water maintenance, circulate water through a filter only once per day. Additional cycles tend to waste energy.
- Run your pool’s filtration system during off-peak hours when electricity demand is lower – generally between 8pm and 10am.
- To obtain maximum filtration and energy efficiency, clean your filter regularly.
If you are planning to put in a pool at your residence, please contact Broad River Electric to assure that you meet all codes and policies.
From: Patrick Keegan; PoolCorp