Pools and spa efficiency program
The energy used to operate the cleaning and filtering equipment of a typical pool for one swimming season can equal the energy used to power the average home for the same period. To save energy and money, SMUD offers the following recommendations:
Off-peak operation/hours of operation
Whether or not you change out your filter pump and motor, remember to operate your filtration equipment outside peak electric demand hours of 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reducing peak period demand helps bring down power supply costs for all SMUD customers.
Bigger may not be better
Pools are commonly equipped with larger pumps than needed. Replacing a standard pump and motor assembly with a high-efficiency unit 1/4 or 1/2-horsepower smaller, or better yet with a multi-speed pump, will yield impressive savings in electricity costs, with virtually no reduction in cleaning effectiveness. Replacing an oversized pool pump -- even one in good working order -- with a smaller, energy-efficient pump is an investment that usually pays for itself in just two to four years. Calculate your pool pump's energy cost.
Single speed vs. multi-speed pumps
An even more effective way to reduce the energy needed for filtration is to move the water more slowly by using a multi-speed pump. A surprising benefit of reducing pump speed is that there is a more than proportional reduction in energy use. Reducing the pump speed by half actually reduces the power requirement to one-quarter of that required on full speed.
Although the pump needs to run twice as long at low speed to filter the same amount of water, the unit will still use only one-quarter of the energy used at full speed. In other words, running the pump for 16 hours on low speed still costs about half as much as running eight hours on high speed.
With a multi-speed pump, full speed operation is still available for short periods if necessary for backwashing or vacuuming.
Other benefits of a multi-speed pump
Multi-speed pumps address the biggest concerns pool owners have about their pumps -- cost of operation and quietness of operation. Many pool professionals don't consider the multi-speed options, but the benefits are too great to ignore.
Cost of operation
Here's a real-life comparison of operating costs:
Pool No. 1, the tradition approach: $51.90 per month
This 25,000 gallon pool has a normal 1.5 horsepower pool pump. It runs eight hours per day. It pumps about 80 gallons per minute, which means that it circulates 38,400 gallons each day. The pump draws 9.0 amps at 240 volts. At a cost of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, that translates to a cost of $1.73 per day or $51.90 per month to operate the pool.
Pool No. 2, the multi-speed approach: $19.50 per month
This 25,000 gallon pool has a multi-speed 1.5 horsepower pool pump. It runs 12 hours per day in low speed. In low speed it pumps about 40 gallons per minute, which means that it circulates 28,800 gallons each day. (Remember that the pool only needs to turn the water over once each day). The pump draws 2.25 amps at 240 volts in low speed. At a cost of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, that translates to a cost of $0.65 per day or $19.50 per month to operate the pool.
The only time you really need to turn the pump to high speed is for backwashing or vacuuming, or if you need to increase the flow rate temporarily.
Pool No. 2 is moving less water on a daily basis, but remember most pumps are oversized and most pools are over-circulated. The multi-speed pump provides just the circulation your pool needs at a fraction of the cost. These figures are for comparison only and actual savings will depend on rate structure and use.
Keeping the pool circulating a longer period of time each day has a couple of advantages:
- The longer periods of circulation will help to reduce the occurrence of algae.
- If you have a salt system, you can run the system many more hours per day and get increased chlorine production if needed.
Quietness of operation
One of the biggest complaints people have about their pool pumps is that they make a lot of noise, making it hard to relax and fully enjoy their pool.
Any standard pump running at full speed will typically make quite a bit of noise. This is partly the result of pump noise but more the result of water flowing through the pump and the piping.
A multi-speed pump on low speed will make very little noise, just a low hum. This is because it is working under much less pressure and the turbulence in the piping is non-existent.
Reduced energy bills, clean sparkling pools and some well-deserved peace and quiet.
What about solar systems?
When a pool has a solar system mounted on the roof, a multi-speed pump may not be the answer. This is because the rise to the roof creates 10 feet or more of static lift, and that number does not change when you put a pump in low speed and reduce the flow through the system. With a solar system, it is often better to use a smaller single speed pump, such as a 3/4 horsepower pump that will give you adequate lift at all times.
Additional pool/spa energy saving steps and tools
More tips to save energy and money:
Cover your pool: A good pool cover keeps water temperatures about 10 degrees higher and reduces evaporation of water and chemicals by about 70 percent. Your pool stays warmer -- and cleaner -- as energy use and equipment wear are minimized.
Spa savings: Money-saving measures to use with your spa include:
- Lowering the temperatures by about 3 degrees. This saves 5 to 10 percent in heating costs.
- Running the air jets only when using the spa. The cooling effect of the air bubbles counteracts the energy used to heat the water.
- Keeping the spa covered until you're ready to use it. Heat loss is money wasted.
- Adding a floating thermal blanket to the rigid cover used with most spas. The added later conserves heat and reduces evaporation.
Free time clock trippers: SMUD provides time clock trippers for free. Call us and let us know the make of your time clock or the color of the face.
For more information on pool and spa efficiency, call SMUD at 1-888-742-SMUD (7683).
Information on this page provided by Pool Plaza.
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