How Pool Energy Audits Can Help You Save Money
Swimming pools are a great way to stay cool in the summers. But, as the temperature increases, so do your monthly energy bill. When you own a residential pool, it can cause considerable strain on your monthly budget. That’s why pool energy audits are a great way to keep your summer fun expenses in check. An audit helps assess how much energy your pool consumes. Based on the data, you are able to evaluate what measures to undertake to conserve energy and make your home more energy-efficient.
Let’s understand the importance of pool energy audits.
What Are Pool Energy Audits?
A pool energy audit helps you understand how much energy your pool consumes. It involves assessing the energy consumption at various points from water filtration and pumping to pool heating and lighting. Further, pool experts can use the findings to guide you on how to improve pool energy efficiency. Sounds interesting, right? Well, read on.
Before you decide to do a pool energy audit, here are some energy efficiency tips you could try. These small changes help you conserve energy. And, the additional effort will go a long way in helping you lower the overall pool operating costs significantly.
Our pool specialists have put together some of the best ways you can achieve better energy efficiency.
Pool Pumps
Reduce the pump operating frequency
If you’re considering pool energy audits, perhaps this is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy. All you have to do is reduce the number of times you operate the pump. According to a study conducted by the center for Energy Conservation, pool owners were able to reduce their plumbing bills up to 75 percent by adopting the energy efficiency measures listed in the table below.
This study of 120 pools shows that you can enjoy a swim in comfortable pool temperature all-year-round without straining your finances.
We recommend you talk to your pool maintenance expert to determine what frequency works for you without compromising the quality of the pool water.
- Use energy-efficient pool pumps
You can control the speed of the pump by installing pumps with a variable drive. These allow you to reduce the pump speed for daily usage. And since a slower pump consumes less power, it can help you save up to 45 percent energy. Further, these pumps circulate the water more efficiently, reducing the work a filter has to do. Thus you can reduce your utility bills and conserve energy.
- Install a smaller pump
The smaller the pump size, the lower the cost of pumping and maintenance. It thus makes sense to replace your large pumps with a more energy-efficient smaller pump. However, when choosing the pump size, make sure to consult with a pool equipment supplier.
These vendors will have you pick the correct pump based on your pool’s flow rate, the diameter of pipes, and the hydraulic resistance of the circulation system.
Note: You can achieve the highest energy efficiency by implementing all three measures simultaneously.
That is to say; reduce your pool operating frequency, downsize your pool pump, and opt for an energy-efficient pump with variable speeds.
And voila! You’ll conserve energy, save on operating costs, and further save on pool energy audits.
Water Filter
Water filtration is essential to maintaining a healthy and clean swimming pool. It is important to circulate your pool water through the filter at least once a day to ensure good pool hygiene and maintenance. Additional filtration cycles usually tend to increase energy wastage.
- Reduce the filtration time
We know water filtration is a significant expense of owning and maintaining a pool. But you can reduce the financial burden by limiting your filtration time to less than 3 hours a day. If you’re not happy with the water quality, you can always increase the filtration time by 30-minute slots until the water appears clean. This simple tip can help you reduce energy consumption by up to 60 percent.
- Clean the filter
Remember to clean any debris from your filter regularly. It ensures the water intake grates are not clogged. And, the pump does not have to work very hard to achieve maximum filtration. Thus, keeping the drains clear allows for free-flow of pool water and increases the pool energy efficiency.
- Run the filtration system during off-peak hours
We also recommend running the filtration system between 8 pm and 10 am. These are the off-peak hours when there is generally less demand for electricity; thus it costs less. Make sure to consult your local utility provider to find out the off-peak hours in your locale.
Timers
Installing programmable and automatic timers is a great way to conserve energy. You can use a timer with both your pool pump and the pool heater.
These allow you to control your pump cycles in a manner that will enable you to make the most of the off-peak hours. Further, it is useful in maintaining a comfortable water temperature throughout the day by regulating your pool heater.
If you use the services of a professional pool maintenance company, don’t forget to communicate your timer settings. We recommend running the pool pump timer is several short cycles to ensure the water is always clear of any debris.
And you can run the timer for your pool heater in short spans to keep the water a comfortable temperature for swimming. This technique is a much more efficient practice than running the pump or heater continuously throughout the day.
Pool Covers
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water evaporation and the resultant energy consumption to replenish the water accounts for nearly 70 percent energy wastage.
Pool covers are a great way to conserve energy all year round. It keeps the debris out, reduces water loss due to evaporation, and reduces heat loss during the winters. Consult a pool supplier to identify the best pool cover based on your needs.
Don’t let the energy costs spoil your fun in the pool. Try out these energy conservation tips and enjoy the cool water. If you’re still concerned about energy efficiency, speak to your pool experts about pool energy audits.
Are You Considering Pool Energy Audits? Speak To A Pool Maintenance Professional Near You!