is only a small part of the money they have to invest in it. No-one would dispute
that owning a swimming pool is great, but running it can be quite costly. Discover
how to make your pool more energy efficient, so you can enjoy it and not worry
about the cost too much.
1 Invest into energy efficient pumps and motors
Choosing the right pump for your swimming pool is very important. You will
probably be surprised to know that in the first year of operation a swimming
pool pump and motor can consume more energy than their initial cost. Bear in
mind that you expect your pump to work for several years and it becomes obvious
that buying a cheaper model that is not energy efficient will cost you much
more in the long term.
So if your pumps are several years old, replace them with new, more energy
efficient ones. And if you only start building your pool, invest in a good pump
from the beginning.
2 Use pool covers
When we think of pool covers, most people assume that their main function is
to prevent fallen leaves and debris from getting into the pool. Covers do that,
of course. But what is more important, they prevent your pool from loosing its
temperature.
If you use a pool heater in colder months, most of your energy loss will be
because water evaporates from your pool taking the heat away. Just cover your
pool when it's not in use and that alone will save you up to 50 percent of heating
costs.
3 Don't let the wind steal your heat
Pool covers are great when the pool is not in use, but how do you prevent water
evaporation when you are actually swimming? One way is to reduce wind around
the pool. You can plant shrubs or build a fence to block wind. One thing to
consider when installing windbreakers is that they have to be close enough to
your pool to keep the wind out, but they shouldn't block the sunlight.
4 Set the right water temperature
If you use a gas pool heater, it consumes considerably more energy when you
make your water warmer. Add about 10 percent of energy cost for each degree.
So by keeping your temperature low, you can save significantly. Of course, if
you don't fancy swimming in cold water, you can install an energy efficient
heater.
5 Consider installing a solar swimming pool heater
The best thing about a solar heater is that apart from the initial cost of
buying and installing one, it costs nothing to operate, the energy source is
free. Solar heaters are ideal for heating swimming pools, especially if your
pool is not very large.
There are two general types - glazed and unglazed solar collectors for heating
outdoor pools. Unglazed solar heaters are actually inexpensive and work quite
well in most cases. These units are simple, made from black plastic or rubber.
There is no need for a water tank - water runs directly through the collector.
Glazed collectors are more sophisticated and include a heat exchanger. They
provide better faster heating, but they also cost more to install.
You can also use a combination of solar and gas heaters. Use a gas heater to
heat up your pool quickly, but then you can switch it off and let the solar
unit keep the water temperature pleasantly warm.
Tanya Turner is a publisher of Swimming Pool Supply Guide where you can find information about all types of pools, and price comparisons of swimming pool supply and accessories
