Conserve Your Pool Energy and Save Money

There is no better time than today to lower your monthly energy costs. Two key areas for spa and pool owners focus on are the water and gas bills. Here are some great tips that you can use and start saving money and start living a more eco‑friendly life:

Switch to a 2‑Speed Pump & Save

To keep you pool from turning green, you should be running your pool pump 8‑10 hours. For those of us staving off the green, this can become expensive to continue. By switching to a 2‑speed pump, you can run your pool pump at a lower a lower Horsepower when needed. A 2‑speed pool pump allows you to run on low and high speeds. High speed can be used when your pool or spa needs vacuuming or when you're mixing chemicals into the water. Then use low speed the rest of the time and you will lower your electric bill without sacrificing the quality and color of your pool water.

Cover Conservation with a Pool Cover

Solar pool covers can add up to 10% more heat, keep your pool and spa cleaner and reduce water loss from evaporation. For those who take the pool cover off during the Fall and Winter seasons, put the cover back on a month early ‑ the sun alone may heat the water twenty more degrees. To conserve the life of your pool cover, consider buying a pool cover with a reel system. Not only does a pool cover reel system make it easier and more convenient to take the cover off and on ‑ it prolongs the life energy saving power of the pool cover.

Set It (78°F) and Forget It

Set your pool temperature to 78°F to conserve on energy costs. Ease rise of the one degree significantly increases energy costs. If you want warmer water temperatures, consider using a solar pool cover or a solar panel system. If you have an old pool heater, replace the old model with a newer, more energy efficient unit.

Clean Pool Filters Only When Necessary

For sand filters make sure the sand bed is fresh to lengthen the time between backwashing. By changing the sand or at least running a chemical cleaner through the sand you also help reduce the need to backwash. If you backwash sand filters too early, you waste both water and power, and reduce efficient operation. For cartridge filters be sure to size the filters properly ‑ you'll save time and money by lengthening the time between cleanings. Also, watch your pressure gauges and look for an 8‑10 psi increase before cleaning.

Keep Water in the Pool

Along with swimming comes splashing. Water that has been heated and chemically treated is precious commodity. Games that involve splashing can come at a large cost. While eliminating splashing may not be the fun option or possible, you can still encourage that the splashes remain small and contained within the water's perimeter.

Heat Your Spa to 102°F

Keep an eye on the spa’s thermostat. You can cut costs dramatically by maintaining a temperature of 102°F. This is also the temperature recommended by most health departments for adults and children.

Heat Only During the Off‑Peak

You can help reduce peak loads and pressure on utility rates with this simple tip. You have probably heard that you can save on energy costs by running your washing machines only during off‑peak times (11am‑5pm and 9pm‑6am). Now apply that same rule to the heating of your spa. A timer that can turn your heater on and off can effectively monitor your heating schedules and save you a fortune.

Turn Spa the Heater Down or Off

If you will not be using the spa or hot tub for an extended period of time (a week or more) turn the heat down or off. If you have an older, non‑energy efficient hot tub, consider draining it if you will be gone during winter months. Such tubs can freeze which causes a great deal of damage to the equipment. Energy efficient hot tubs can maintain non‑freezing temperatures for weeks with appropriate covers.

Reduce pumping cycles

Normally filtration cycles for single and two speed pumps are set for four hours, twice per day. You may be able to reduce the filtration cycles to three hours, twice a day ‑ during off‑peak hours. This adjustment should be based on your usage pattern, so you can maintain clear, clean and safe water. If your hot tub has a low‑wattage, continuous circulation pump ‑ leave it alone, it's designed to run all the time.

Use a Thermal Cover/Floating Blanket

An energy‑efficient floating thermal blanket will help retain heat and reduces the amount of moisture building up on the inside of your hard cover, extending its life. For example, adding a 1/4" closed‑cell foam, floating blanket under the hard cover can increase the total R-value to 16.