Have a Pool? Here’s How to Lower Your Electric Bill

There’s nothing better than sipping lemonade by the pool on a hot summer day. Cleaning, keeping your pumps clear, and paying for monthly maintenance and electricity costs, however? Not so much fun.

Pool ownership is expensive. It takes a lot of electricity to clean the water and calibrate the chemicals – not to mention a lot of time on your part to take care of it. Research shows that pool owners spend over 40 percent more on energy costs per year than those without pools. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to lower the cost of having your very own watering hole. With these tips, you can save energy and lower your electricity bill.

Clean the Pump and Filter

Have you ever tried to blow air through a small cocktail straw? It takes a lot of effort. That’s what your pool pump experiences when the pump and filter haven’t been properly cleaned. They’re less efficient and work harder to keep your pool in tip-top shape, because water flow is reduced. Make sure you’re cleaning them at least once a month for the best results.

Get a Cover

Think of your pool as a big pot of soup. If you wanted to keep the soup warm, you’d put a lid on it, right? A pool cover is a similar concept. If you cover the pool when you aren’t using it, it’ll stop the heat from escaping. That means you’ll spend less energy maintaining the water’s temperature during the cooler months – and save money in the process.

Turn Down the Heat

For most of the year, Texans can rely on the sun to keep their pools at a comfortable temperature. In fact, during the hottest month, some pool owners invest in large blocks of ice to lower the temperature.

But when winter (finally) arrives, pool owners find themselves craving warmer water temperatures. Every degree you add to the warmth of your pool adds an estimated 10 to 30 percent to your energy bill. If you reduce the temperature of your pool, even by just a couple of degrees, you could be saving a bundle of money.

Set a Maintenance Schedule

If you set yourself a reminder at least once a month to check all the intricacies of your pool (including the aforementioned pump and filter) and make sure everything is working properly, you reduce the chance of spending more money on energy. Put it in your dayplanner so you don’t forget.

Find an Energy-Efficient Pump

You don’t need a massive pump designed for high-end waterpark pools to keep your personal pool clean. Most people don’t realize that pool pumps pull enough electricity to rival your HVAC unit, which uses more energy than any other appliance in your home. Find a small pump that’s also rated energy-efficient by Energy Star. At most, you need a .75 horsepower pump for a home pool. You can go even smaller if you choose a larger filter or change the size of the pipes running to your pool.

Use a Pump Timer

You know what you don’t need to do? Run your pool pump all day. Turn it off when you’re not using it to save money. Better yet, get an automated pool timer to make sure it’s only running when it needs to. Your pool pump should only be running about six hours every day. If you need to get more pumping power, try increasing the time in half-hour increments until you achieve the desired results. Similarly, if six hours is too long, reduce the time in half-hour increments until you find the ideal time.

Get the Best Cleaner

If you’re not using a robot to clean your pool, you should probably start using one now. They’re little machines that use minimal energy per hour and keep your pool sparkling. You only need to run them for a few hours a day. Isn’t that much better than pressure washing your pool? The higher up-front cost will save you money in the long run.

Upgrade to Solar LED Lights

Harness the power of the sun. Ditch the old pool lights and install solar LED ones. They’ll cost less not only because they’re LED, but also because the sun will give them the power they need. You can use these in and around the pool area.

Turn the Automated System Off

If your parents ever yelled at you for leaving the lights on when you left the room, you’ve probably already got this ingrained in your head. If your pool has an automated system, make sure you’re turning it off when you’re not actively using the pool. You’ll save money (making your parents incredibly proud). You could also consider running all the systems at off-peak times, when electricity is less expensive.

Check the Pipes

If your pipes take twists and turns on the way to the pool, it’s going to strain your pump. It’s a good idea to replace them, if possible, with straighter pipes. You should also make sure they’re the right size and not too narrow for the amount of water flowing through them.

Save Money with Energy Texas

If you’re looking for another way to save money on your pool-related electricity costs, consider switching to Energy Texas. We offer a range of plans with competitive rates and best-in-class customer service. Don’t waste another dollar. Sign up with Energy Texas today!

Sources:

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/choosing-installing-and-operating-efficient-swimming-pool-pump