Want a Fast Way to Save Energy? Upgrade Your Pool Pump.

Jul 07, 2010 | Energy Efficiency

Snapshot | Working with Your Pool Contractor | Environmental Benefits | Other Energy Saving Actions for Your Pool | Take action!

Snapshot

Pool pumps use a lot of electricity, and can cost $2 - $5 per day to operate, about $700 - $1600 per year. Yes, backyard fun can be a bit expensive!


Upgrading your pool pump can save you money in two ways: First, check on whether you can downsize your pump. Too often contractors install pumps that are unnecessarily large, running up your electricity bill. Second, install a variable speed pump. When the pump speed changes based on which equipment is running, electricity is saved. Overall, 40 - 50% savings are immediately available.

Pool pump upgrades typically have a two to three year payback.

Most pool owners appreciate an added benefit of upgrading the pool pump: New technologies are much quieter! There is a noticeable reduction in noise.

Rebates are available from some utilities.

Working with Your Pool Contractor

Pools do not have standardized installations for pump and heating equipment, and the huge variety of configurations means that contractors must use on-site details to make the best recommendations. The size and type of pool pump depends on the size of the pool, the climate, the layout of the piping, the pool sweep, the vertical rise in the piping, the size and type of the filter and more. There many things going on at the same time, and the pool pump installer will need to fit the pump to your specific pool configuration.

Sizing is the first consideration when upgrading your pool pump. Pool pumps are measured in terms of horsepower (HP). Roughly, a one horsepower pool pump will use a kilowatt every hour. So, one horsepower pool pump running 8 hours will draw 8 kilowatt hours each day, and cost $2 - $5 per day to operate, or $700 - $1600 per year. Unfortunately, most installed pool pumps are 1.5 - 5 horsepower, so the electricity bills are even higher.

An appropriately sized pool pump can be as low as 0.75 horsepower, and typically is in the range of 0.75 - 1.5 HP. Of course larger pools will need larger pumps. Your contractor will need to do the exact sizing for your pool once he or she has seen the entire pump system.

Variable speed pool pumps also save energy. For example, a typical pool could have three different operating modes:

1) just the pump

2) pump plus sweep

3) pump plus sweep plus solar heat

Under a standard installation, with a single-speed pump, the pump would need to be sized for the third operating mode. It would be over-sized for the first two operating modes. Thus, for many hours of the day, the pump is too large and wasting electricity.

With a variable speed or two-speed or four-speed pool pump, the horsepower will vary as needed. This saves energy in the majority of operating hours. When the in the low horsepower mode, the pool pump draws much less energy. The exact model that is best for you -- two-speed, four-speed, or variable speed -- depends on many factors. Your contractor can make a recommendation.

Want to talk over your options? Find a contractor? Have questions? Speak with a WattzOn Green Home Expert for free. Call 1-800-314-5997. Environmental Benefits

California has 1.5 million residential swimming pools. If all the pumps operated at the same time, the electricity draw would equal the output of six power plants. So much energy is wasted in pool pumping and heating, that simple energy savings actions would reduce this need to two power plants. Now imagine extending these benefits to all the pools in the nation.

Other Energy Saving Actions for Your Pool

While the pool pump is an obvious energy saving opportunity, you can reduce your pool's electricity use even further:

-Use a pool cover during the swim season. If you are running a solar or gas pool heater, night-time heat loss is making your system work twice as hard. Covering the pool at night will keep the water warmer, and reduce the need for heat. And an added benefit-- pool covers prevent evaporation, reducing your water needs too!

-Reduce pool pump hours. Experts suggest starting with 6 pool pump hours per day. If after a few days your pool is not getting clean, increase pump time in half hour increments. If your pool is clean, consider reducing the hours, again testing in half hour increments. A study by the Florida Solar Center showed that most pool owners were happy with much reduced run time, as little as three hours of pumping per day.

-Heat with solar. Gas pool heaters are energy hogs. If you are running your heater more than once a year, switching to solar pool heat will provide instant savings and keep your pool more consistently warm.

Pools can be a major electricity user, and these energy saving actions will reduce your bill significantly.

Take action!

Upgrade your pool pump.

Want to talk over your options? Still have questions or concerns? Want to find a quality contractor?

Speak with a WattzOn Green Home Expert for free. 1-800-314-5997

We are your free, independent, qualified, green home energy experts. We don't sell windows, furnaces or insulation or anything else for that matter, and while we can recommend products, we don't get paid by manufacturers. What we do provide is informed, expert and unbiased guidance on your best and most-effective opportunities to save energy, save money and make your home more green. WattzOn can also connect you to our network of qualified and verified local green home energy auditors and green home contractors who do great work.

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