Five Ways To Improve A Pool's Energy Efficiency

Here are a few energy-saving suggestions from industry veteran and owner of Poolscape in Ontario, Canada, Barry Justus. Justus is speaking this month to builders at the Pool & Spa Asia show in Bankok, Thailand, about green pools and green pool design and construction.

  1. Have a cover, preferably an automatic cover, and use it.
  2. Install a variable-drive pump, and again, use it properly. Don't just leave it cranked up all the time.
  3. Use properly sized plumbing β€” ideally 3- or 4-inch suction lines.
  4. Install high-quality automation to control the rpm on the pump, the lighting and timers, so nothing gets left on too long. You then also have the ability to use less-expensive energy if you're in an area with smart electrical meters.
  5. Insulate the line from the heater going back to the pool. "That to me is a no brainer," says Justus, "because it costs virtually nothing and that's super hot water coming out of the heater."

Beyond that, it depends, says Justus. "The rule of thumb with insulation is the greater the temperature difference between the body of water and the outside atmosphere, the more important it is. So if you're in Florida, it's probably not as important to insulate the pool, but it would still make sense to insulate a chill pool or hot spa. If you're up North, it makes sense to insulate everything."

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