Summer should be spent relaxing and enjoying the sun, not worrying about increasing utility costs. Unfortunately, many New York-area pool owners watch their energy bills rise year after year, to the point of debating if pool ownership is even worth it.
This is where energy-efficient pool upgrades and systems should be considered. Modern heaters, filters, and pool lighting are built to perform better with less energy. Homeowners also have more options than ever to choose from.
Though it may seem expensive to replace old pool supplies and tech, doing so saves you money in the long run. Here are five energy-efficient pool upgrades that could lower your utility bills.
1) Solar Heating
The sun is an inescapable part of any summer. Why not put it to use in the form of a solar pool heater?
Like most forms of solar power, pool heating systems are capable of being attached directly to homeowners’ solar panels on the property. The panels collect energy, which is passed through a flow control valve to the heater.
Installation of a solar heating system will typically cost homeowners $2,000-4,000 depending on the size of the heater and whether solar panels are already in place.
Though not cheap, solar pool heaters often last significantly longer than traditional gas-powered versions. This is because:
- They are built to withstand significant sun and rain exposure.
- Their internal design is simpler and has fewer moving parts.
- Their energy output is more stable, because it is based on whenever sunlight is available rather than the unstable spikes associated with gas heaters.
- They are a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to gas heaters.
Heaters in general are also a good option for the greater NYC area; they can considerably expand your swimming season and allow for greater temperature control of your pool’s water.
2) Mesh Fence
As a pool owner, the wind is one of your worst enemies. Those breezes and drafts shuffle natural debris, like leaves and twigs, into your pool. This, in turn, promotes algae growth by clogging your pool filter system.
Mesh pool fences act like a large, land-based filter that catches such debris before it lands in your pool. If used in tandem with a retractable cover, your pool has two strong lines of defense against debris.
Mesh fences may seem impractical for pool usage, but due to its light weight, many models can be easily folded back up for when the pool is in use. During times when the pool is not in use, a well-fitted mesh fence provides energy efficiency by keeping your filter system free of grime.
3) LED Pool Lights
Lighting is something most people take for granted and give little thought, and pool lighting is no exception. As a result, it is often overlooked when considering pool bills.
If your pool is more than twenty years old, it is very possible that it still utilizes incandescent or fluorescent lighting over LED.
LEDs require only 25% of the energy needed by incandescent bulbs. For every one night of incandescent light use, LEDs can be used for four. They also last up to 25 times longer and are the most efficient at converting electricity to light. Only 20% of the energy in LEDs is lost, compared to 80% for incandescent.
4) Pool Cover
For most pool owners, covers are only used during the offseason. Even during peak pool season, however, covering your pool when not in use comes with a strong ROI.
Much like a mesh fence, pool covers prevent natural debris from entering your pool. This, in turn, prevents algae and bacteria from growing in your water. However, that is not the only benefit of frequent coverings; they also prevent water evaporation and regulate temperature by keeping heat in.
There are two kinds of pool covers: automatic and manual. Automatic covers are machine-operated and allow you to open or close your pool with the push of a button. Manual covers are large tarps you must peel yourself.
The best times to close your pool are generally:
- At night
- While away from home (e.g. vacations or business trips)
- During maintenance procedures (e.g. filter cycles or shocking the pool)
5) Modern Pool Pumps (The Biggest Winner)
Even within the past ten years, pool pumps have become considerably more energy-efficient and lower-cost to maintain. Since pool pumps typically account for 18-30% of your entire home electricity bill, you may want to seriously consider a pump revamp.
Before the mid-2010s, most pool pumps only had one speed. It did not matter whether your pool got used once a week or twice a day; the filtration always ran at the same speed and power.
If your pool is not getting used, however, it makes little sense for your pump to be operating at full throttle constantly. This is the problem variable-speed pool pumps emerged to fix.
Variable-speed pool pumps are shown to save homeowners over 80% in pool electricity bills. Even if they are pricier than one-speed pumps, the lower operational costs save you money in the long-term.
Make Your Luxury Dream Pool a Reality
Since our founding in the 1970s, pool equipment has grown less expensive and more efficient. Home pool ownership is more affordable than ever before.
Whether you moved into a house with a pre-existing pool or just want to update your current one, our renovation team consists of trained professionals here to help you fit your home oasis with the latest, sleekest pool systems for maximum efficiency.
Interested in relaxing in your dream pool? Call our sales and construction team at (203) 967-1203 or send us an email via our contact form.
