Overview

Outdoor swimming pools are big energy consumers. Pool owner/operators spend billions of dollars annually to heat the nation's pools. Much of this energy is often wasted and can be saved with proper management. Wasting energy also contributes to our growing air quality problem.  There are three pages to the fact sheet so be sure you read them all.

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EFFICIENT LIGHTING

Replace inefficient incandescent lamps with high efficiency compact fluorescents. They consume 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of electricity and last 10 times as long as standard incandescent lamps. Replace standard fluorescent ballasts and lamps with electronic ballasts and T-8 lamps. They will reduce consumption by 30%.

The initial cost of energy efficient lighting is more, but the combination of the energy savings and labor savings on replacement will far offset that initial cost in most cases where lights are on for several hours per day or night.

Outdoor areas can be lit with high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. They offer high efficiency and high output. Install motion detectors in areas like shower/dressing areas and rest rooms or on security lighting. They will not only save energy, but will startle would-be intruders.

WATER EFFICIENCY

Reduce water heating costs in the shower area by lowering shower temperatures to 95. It will not only lower energy costs, but will shorten the amount of time people spend under the shower producing further savings.

Install low-flow showerheads and automatic shut-off valves on showers to reduce water consumption and conserve energy.

Insulate the shower water heater to further reduce water heating costs.

EFFICIENT OPERATION

Consider carefully the temperature that you keep the pool water. Each degree rise in the temperature can cost you an additional 10%. The National Swimming Pool Foundation recommends 78-80 for active swimming and 82-84 for general use.

It's a myth that it takes more energy to heat a pool up when you turn the temperature down than you save by lowering the temperature or by turning off the heater. Turn the temperature down, or turn off the heater whenever the pool will not be used for several days. Experiment to determine how long it takes to heat it back up. Lowering the temperature and raising it back up again always saves more energy than keeping it at a constant temperature.

Keep all the intake grates clear of foreign debris. Clogged drains require the pump to work harder.

Don't backwash your filter more frequently than necessary. Backwashing too frequently wastes water, while not backwashing wastes energy by requiring the pump to work harder.

For residential pools, reduce filtration time to 6 hours/day. If the water doesn't appear clean, increase the time in half-hour increments until you get the desired results. You can automate this by installing a time clock for daily pump operation.

Tune up your pool heater annually. A properly maintained pool heater is more efficient.