Energy Efficient Swimming Pool

Every Drop Counts

We all know water is precious, especially during a drought. Pool owners can adopt simple tactics to minimise their environmental impact and maximise enjoyment of a pool.

Location, location, location

Most swimming pools and spas will lose water through evaporation. Using a pool cover and positioning a well-designed windbreak will lessen the environmental impact.

Position

Water that received direct sunlight will be warmer to swim in and need less artificial heating. Contrary to popular belief, hot sun is not the sole culprit of water evaporation. A pool's water temperature, the humidity and wind speed at the pool surface all influence evaporation. Basically, the higher the wind speed and the lower the humidity, the greater the evaporation rate.

Windbreaks

A windbreak, a line of trees, a wall, a solid fence or even a screen, can dramatically reduce evaporative water loss by reducing wind speeds over the water. Whilst a windbreak can offer protection from evaporation and provide cover, you don't want the windbreak to shade the pool completely from the sun's natural heating. If using trees or shrubbery for a windbreak, be sure to choose non-deciduous or evergreen plants, keep them neatly trimmed to reduce the debris entering the pool.

Equipment

Pool equipment should be located in a place that will minimise the impact of noise; away from your living spaces and from your neighbours. consider enclosing your pool equipment to further reduce the noise and potentially allow you to run your pump overnight to make the most of cheaper electricity rates

1. Install a pool cover to reduce evaporation and need for filtering.
2. Regularly check the plumbing around the valves and pipe joiners for leaks, especially in older pools.
3. Discourage excessive splashing and display 'no diving' signs prominently around the pool.
4. Keep pools properly filtered and chemically balanced.
5. Ensure the water level is only half way up the skimmer opening.
6. Regularly clean the pool, skimmer box and the other collection points.
7. Keep animals out.
8. Ensure pool equipment is working correctly.
9. Siphon off excess water after rain to use for watering the garden.
10. Upgrade the filter to a more water efficient model, such as a cartridge filter

 Cover Up

A pool cover is one of the best investments any pool owner can make. It extends the swimming season by keeping water warm and prevents water and energy loss through evaporation. If you have a heated pool, a well-fitted pool cover can immediately save up to 50% on energy costs.

Invest in Efficiency

You will notice Red Baron Pool Supplies is an online pool supplies shop based in Australia, so if you are in Aus and after a good price check us out.

Alternatively I realise most of the visitors to Hub Pages will be overseas, so I have made a list of Amazon products of the energy efficient pool products that I would recommend to you the same as I would recommend if you gave me a call. Compare the Amazon prices to your local pool shop.

Energy efficient pool equipment is what I recommend to customers whenever they phone me. The products are often a little bit more expensive then their non-efficient counterparts, but if you have the money to fork out initially for the energy efficient models then it is well worth it and you will make the money back well and truly in the long run with energy savings.

Pool owners can also improve a pump's performance by up to 40% by; installing a larger filter, rated at least 50% higher than the pools design flow rate; increasing the diameter or decreasing the length of the pipes and replacing 90-degree elbow pipes with 45-degree angles or flexible pipes. Low horsepower pumps move water effectively (as there is less resistance from the filter) and consume less electricity but will need to run for longer. Variable speed pool pumps are a good choice because you can have them running on their most economical speed for general filtration but then also have the ability to run a suction cleaner or waterfall when the need arises.

Pentair are definitely leading the way in terms of efficiency. They already had the most efficient variable speed pump, the Intelliflo. Recently they have released the very gas efficient Pentair MasterTemp gas pool heater which I find very impressive and I am recommending it to customers. The MasterTemp is Low Nox and a very small compact heater.

Reduce filtration time and break up the cycle

It's important to find the optimum filtration time for your backyard swimming pool to ensure energy is used mostr efficiently. One complete turnover of water every 24 hours provides adequate filtering for a residential pool. Pool pumps are often left to run longer than necessary because people fear the chemicals may becomeimbalanced, allowing algal growth to bloom. This may not be prevented by prolonged filtration or circulation. In most cases six hours a day in the summer is all that is needed.

It helps to install a timer to activate the pump for several short periods each day. Running the pump continuously for six hours leaves another 18 hours each day for the pool to collect debris. Several short cycles - such as three two-hourly pump sessions keep the pool cleaner all day.

Pentair says its intelligent variable flow pump, the IntelliFlo VF, can save the pool owner thousands of dollars over its long life.

Traditional pool pumps have offered a limited number of single-speed or two-speed designs. Their motor speeds are set and unchangeable. These set speeds are almost always higher than required, thereby overpowering the jobs they are assigned to do and wasting energy. What’s more, other pumps rely on induction motor technology, which is far less efficient. The result is that pumps are notorious energy hogs that cost hundreds— sometimes more than $1,000—per year to operate.

The IntelliFlo VF pump, by contrast, is sensationally energy efficient. It is the totally automatic, self-setting and self-adjusting, variable speed marvel with a micro-processor that determines and maintains the lowest amount of water flow for maximum performance and minimum energy use. It’s also the first to use vastly more efficient permanent magnet motor technology (used in hybrid cars).

The IntelliFlo VF can achieve and maintain optimum (typically lower) flow rates for further energy savings. The IntelliFlo VF operates at a fraction of the horsepower of standard pumps for impressive savings – Pentair says it could save up to 90% of existing pump-related costs.

It is important to note that a heat pump will not heat a pool as fast as a large gas pool heater. If the pool water is allowed to cool significantly, it may take several days to return to the desired swimming temperature. For weekend use, it is more economical to maintain the pool water temperature at or near your desired swimming temperature. If you do not plan to use your pool for a prolonged period, then you might choose to turn the heat pump completely off or decrease the temperature setting of the control several degrees to minimize energy consumption.

a. Use an accurate pool thermometer. A difference of 2°C , between 26°C and 28°C, will significantly increase energy consumption.

b. Carefully monitor the water temperature of your pool in the summer time. You can reduce heat pump usage due to warmer air temperatures.

c. When the pool is not to be used for long periods, turn off the heat pump.

d. Where possible, shelter the pool from prevailing winds with well-trimmed hedgesor other landscaping, cabanas, or fencing.

e. Always use a high quality pool cover when practical. Besides providing a valuable water saving feature, a pool cover will dramatically reduce heat loss.

For heating a pool over an extended period of time heat pumps are much more cost efficient than gas heater.

What to look for in a heat pump

Whilst unlike some gas pool heaters, most types of heat pumps are equal as far as energy consumption. When choosing a heat pump look for qualities such as a weather resistant casing, noise levels and does it have a defrost cycle for if you are in a cold climate.

You may also be interested in my other swimming pool related hubs on Robotic Pool Cleaners

Choosing the best method of swimming pool heating. Gas Vs Heat Pump Vs Solar

Energy Efficient Pool Pumps and Ozone Vs Ioniser

I welcome any questions and if I can answer I will do my best to help.

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