People may be discouraged from investing in a pool due to all the costs to run and maintain it. Just thinking about operating the heaters, pumps, brushing and balancing chemicals can cause heads to spin at the thought of the drain on time and resources. However, there are quite a few effective steps you can take that will make your pool work more efficiently and use less energy.
1) Start with Building Smart
If you’re starting from scratch and building a new pool, location is key. You want to make sure you pick the sunniest part of your yard as this will help keep your pool water heated naturally. If it’s in your budget, installing solar energy panels to heat your pool is the most energy-efficient way you can keep your pool water warm almost year round at minimal cost to you. You’ll also want to choose a place in your yard where your pool will be protected from the wind, e.g. by the house, a shed or you can build a windbreak fence. If the wind over the surface of the pool reaches even 7 miles per hour, it can cause a spike in your energy consumption by upwards of 300%!
2) Install Automatic Timers
There is great value in getting automatic timers for your pool heater as well as your pump. This allows you to run them in short cycles instead of having equipment run continuously for long periods of time throughout the day. You can time the pool’s filtration system to run during off-peak hours when electricity demand is lower (and therefore cheaper) like at night between 8:00 PM and 10:00 AM.
3) Purchase an Efficient Pump
Investing in a variable speed pump is one of the biggest changes you can make as far as energy efficiency. You can make up the difference of buying the more expensive pump in as little as a year with the overall savings after operation. If your pool has an energy efficient pump, a heater and a filtration system, you could potentially save upwards of $900 over the span of a year. You’ll want to look for a pump that is energy efficient and has multiple speeds, lowering your power usage by about 65%. There are different options available – 2-speed, 4-speed and variable-speed models – allowing you to turn the speed down for normal daily use so the pump isn’t running on one high speed all the time.
Energy efficient pumps also help your pool water move more efficiently. The function of a pump is to circulate your pool water to keep it clean. The better the pump works – the less work the filter has to do.
4) Invest in an Energy Efficient Heater
When buying an electric or gas heater make sure you look for the yellow-and-black Energy Guide on the appliance. This shows you the US Federal Trade Commission‘s relative energy-efficiency for the product. Once installed, you’ll also want to make sure you turn down the heater when the pool is not in use as well as turn it completely off if you’re away on vacation.
5) Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Maintaining a consistent water temperature in your pool is a huge factor in saving energy. It is best to keep outdoor pools that are used for exercise and recreation at approximately 78°. Each degree above that in temperature can cost up to 10-30% more in energy costs! If your pool is only used on the weekends, make sure to turn the temperature down 8-10° during the week.
6) Equipment Maintenance and Water Chemistry
You always want to make sure your pool equipment is working effectively and efficiently including your filter, heater, pump AND your water chemistry. Doing so saves water, cuts down on wasted energy and limits the need for repairs and money spent on unnecessary usage. Here are a few things you should follow to properly maintain your pool:
- Circulate the pool water through a filter once per day
- Clean your filter regularly
- Backwash your pool filter only when necessary
- Keep the pool’s drain systems clear so the water can flow freely
8) Stay Educated
Florida offers many different tax incentives and rebates based on the energy-efficiency of your equipment. According to My Florida Home Energy, most utility providers offer home energy audits at little or no cost to help customers identify particular areas where energy efficiency improvements can be made. Before installing new equipment, check with your utility provider directly to see what kind of rebates they offer and what needs to be done to submit for a rebate after the equipment is installed. Many require a home energy audit as mentioned above before installing the new equipment in order to receive the rebate after the work is completed.
Pools by Bradley is Here for YOU
Everyone here at Pools by Bradley lives and breathes our mission of designing and building your ultimate outdoor pool atmosphere. We intend to inspire you to improve the recreational time you spend with your family and friends in your new outdoor environment. BUT – we especially want to protect your investment and be energy-efficient saving you money! Our motto is “take care of the customer and everything else will take care of itself”. When you choose Pools by Bradley to help you build your dream pool, you can rest assured that you’re choosing the very best. As a local family owned and operated company founded in back 1996, we have received numerous design awards and honors. Pools by Bradley is rated as one of the top 50 pool builders in the U.S., plus recognized as the “Best Pool Company” in Orlando by Orlando Magazine several years in a row! We offer custom built pools and spas with additions ranging from water features and lighting effects to rain curtains and water slides…the sky’s the limit! Contact us online or call us today at 407-323-7496 to see how we can help you build the pool of your dreams!
