Energy Usage in Swimming Pools

At Aqua Blue Designs, we take energy efficiency seriously.  We were one of the first companies in Kansas City to promote heat pump pool heaters, low energy pumps, pump timers and non-porous construction materials.  Here are some thoughts on how we can either design your pool from the beginning, or upgrade your current pool to use energy resources more responsibly.

Filtration Pumps

The average backyard swimming pool requires a one horsepower pump to adequately recirculate water.  Many manufacturers of pumps are using high efficiency motors that save a large percentage of the power over older models.  Electronic timers allow you to run your pump at one or more cycles during the day.  Some filtration systems can run 8 to 12 hours per day and keep the water safe and beautiful.  Combining all the characteristics provide the biggest savings in energy costs for pool operation.

Please go to this link for information on energy efficient pool pump operation
from the US Department of Energy:
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13290

Pool Heaters

There are three main types of pool heater.  Listed in order of lower to higher energy usage, they are solar panels, heat pumps and gas-fired heaters.

Solar heating systems are more expensive to install, but will save energy for many years, paying back the difference in just a few.  Solar pool heating is very energy efficient since the power source is the sun.

Heat pumps extract heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the pool water using electricity.  Two drawbacks of heat pumps are slower heating and a higher operating temperature.  Most heat pumps cannot heat water when the outside temperature is below 45°F.  When temperatures are above 45°F, heat pumps do very well at maintaining the temperature.

Gas fired heaters use either propane or natural gas to heat water.  The main advantage is fast heating which makes sense for only heating the pool during certain periods such as weekends.  The cost of running gas heaters is studied in the information linked below.

No matter which heating option you choose, the use of common sense when setting the thermostat will also help.  The reason to have a pool heater is to get more enjoyment out of your pool.  Let us help you achieve this with the lowest possible energy bills.

At Aqua Blue Designs, we install all three kinds of pool heaters.  We can help you decide which one is best for your needs.

Please go to this link for information on pool heaters
from the US Department of Energy:
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13150

Pool Covers Save Energy

Solar Covers, Winter Covers, Automatic Covers... which is best?
Solar covers are inexpensive but will save a large portion of your heating bill when properly used.  They keep evaporation down and at the same time allow solar gain and insulation during nighttime hours.  The problem is that they are difficult to place on the pool and are hard to handle and store.

Winter covers are great at keeping the pool clean and safe during extended time of non use of your pool.  However, they require an hour or so to put on, and another equal amount of time to take off.  We recommend winter covers for those who operate their pools when average daytime temperatures reach about 60° F.

Automatic covers are great for people who want to save the most energy and keep their pool operating at the lowest average temperatures.  When closed, automatic covers keep debris and uninvited guests out and when open, allow full use of the pool.  You can keep the pool closed except when in use, saving energy, chemicals and water.

Please go to this link for information on pool covers
from the US Department of Energy:
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13140