The following links can be valuable if you are considering purchasing an above ground swimming pool.
Pool owners put tons of work, money, and chemicals into keeping their pools
in pristine condition. Furthermore, owners that are dedicated to conserving
energy and being eco-friendly may have concerns about whether or not their pool
system reflects such beliefs.
Jeff Farlow, program manager of
energy initiatives at Pentair Water Pool and Spa, said one important thing pool
owners can do to save energy is upgrade equipment to the most energy-efficient
models. He suggests installing a variable-speed pool pump and LED lights.
"The biggest waste of pool-related
energy is an inefficient pump for filtering and cleaning," he said.
While traditional pool pumps use the
same amount of energy to perform all pool tasks, variable speed pumps, such as
the Pentair IntelliFlo, adjust to use the minimum energy needed for each task.
Variable speed pumps can cut energy costs by up to 90 percent.
Farlow said pool owners who move from a single-speed
pump to Pentair’s IntelliFlo pump can save up to $1,500 per year. Actual
savings depend on factors such as usage, energy rates, and pool size.
In addition, some energy companies offer rebates for
homeowners who install variable speed pool pumps. Rebate amounts generally
range from $50 to $600. Regardless of having a rebate or not, the resulted
energy savings over time will help recoup the initial cost of the pump.
Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance and an
individual with a strong focus on green initiatives, said it is important to
regularly check a pool for leaks. This process can be as simple as marking the
water level with a pencil and checking it 24 hours later.
“If the water level has dropped by more than
one-quarter inch, you probably have a leak, which can cost you greatly in the
long run,” he said. “A leak that is causing a one inch reduction in water level
per day will waste 102,000 gallons of water in a year.”
Schrage said to pay close attention to a pool’s thermostat and adjust it
based on when the pool is in use. Planning swimming times can reduce the need
to heat it, saving energy and money.
Similarly, he said investing in a solar pool cover can help because they heat
pools, retain the heat overnight, and protect the water from airborne debris. Such
a cover can reduce the cost of heating a pool by approximately 60 percent.
As far as maintaining pool cleanliness in a green
matter, some systems, such as products from Pentair’s Eco Select line, are
built to maintain optimal pool water quality through automated sanitation
systems, Farlow said.
Ultimately, Schrage said since pool-related expenses account for a large
chunk of a home energy budget, it is important to investigate all ways to
reduce the costs. Often, spending money in the short-term can reduce long-term
expenditures as well as help the environment.
“Going green with your swimming pool helps you to lessen your carbon
footprint, which is something that is very difficult to put an accurate price
tag on,” he said.
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