The energy needed to run a backyard oasis can cost up to $1,000 per year. This spending mainly comes from filter pumps, chlorinators, and heaters. Knowing these sources of consumption can help you save money on bills — and who doesn’t want that extra cash in their pocket? To help you out, we created a list of energy-efficient tips that make a difference for your pool.
Making Your Pool Pump Energy Efficient
Your pump pulls in water, pushes it through a filter, and returns it to your pool in a cleaner state. It’s safe to say that it’s the heart of your oasis’s circulation system and one of the primary sources of energy consumption. Here are some tips for your filter pump that can save energy:
Switch to a Multi-Speed Pump
Single-speed pumps only have one setting for circulating water: maximum. A variable pool pump has multiple operation speeds, so you can choose which is best for any situation. For example, when you need to shock the pool or add more chemicals, you can switch the pump to the highest setting and turn it down afterwards to save on costs. Or, if you run the system for most of the day, turning it to low is better than running a single-speed on its only setting for the same amount of time.
Run Your Pump Less Frequently and at Night
The standard recommendation is to run your pump for at least eight hours daily. So, consider reducing the amount of time it runs if you know you usually have it on for longer. Leaving it on at night is also an excellent way to save energy because this avoids peak energy consumption hours. If you switch to a variable-speed pool pump, as suggested above, you can also turn it to low overnight for more efficiency.
Use Automatic Timers
Try automating your pump to ensure it runs when necessary to keep the water clean. Sometimes our busy schedules mean we don’t have time to monitor circulation, which can lead to running the system more than needed to make up for the lost time. Timers can solve this problem by keeping to a schedule or activating when some PPM conditions reach a certain threshold.
Improve Your Heating Technology
The key to the perfect leisure experience is a pool that you want to jump into, not just dip your toes in. Heaters keep the water at an optimal temperature but also use up energy. Where possible, avoid natural gas models and opt for electric or solar — they are more energy-efficient and better for the environment!
Cover Your Pool
An uncovered pool loses water and heat energy. Try an automatic cover to make it easy to protect your oasis from the elements when you’re not using it. Solar covers are another excellent alternative because they harness the sun’s radiation to retain heat.
Keep Your Pool Clean
When you regularly maintain your pool, your pump won’t have to work as hard to circulate water. But the water is not the only thing to keep an eye on — your cleaning system also needs this same attention. Remember to wash the filters and flush the pipes to ensure it continues to operate at peak performance.
Ask the Professionals
At Benson Pools, we understand the desire to reduce energy costs when it comes to your pool. With over 62 years of experience, we continue to understand the evolving methods to improve efficiency. As we discussed above, keeping your pool and circulation system clean is one key to saving money. Our maintenance and cleaning services in Ottawa can help you do this. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you cut back on yearly energy costs.
