Running a pool in Southern California does not have to drain your wallet. Here are five things that will lower your energy costs, and most of them you can do this weekend.
1. Upgrade to a variable speed pump.
We talk about this a lot, but it is the single biggest thing you can do. A variable speed pump running at low speed uses up to 80% less electricity than a single-speed pump running at full blast. With the DWP rebate of $1,000, the payback period is usually under a year. After that, you are saving $1,000 to $1,500 every year.
2. Run your pump at the right times.
If you are on a time-of-use rate plan with your utility, electricity costs less during off-peak hours. Run your pump during those windows. With a variable speed pump and a timer, you can set it and forget it. Even without time-of-use rates, running during cooler parts of the day means the motor runs more efficiently.
3. Use a solar cover.
A solar cover heats your water using the sun so you are not firing up a gas heater. It also prevents evaporation, which saves water and the energy it takes to heat and treat the replacement water. This is one of the cheapest upgrades with one of the fastest paybacks.
4. Keep your filter clean.
A dirty filter makes your pump work harder, which uses more electricity. Whether you have sand, cartridge, or DE, stick to the maintenance schedule. A clean filter means better flow, lower pressure, and a pump that does not have to strain.
5. Right-size your equipment.
Oversized pumps and heaters are a common problem. If your equipment is bigger than what your pool needs, it is using more energy than necessary every time it runs. When it is time to replace equipment, let us look at your pool specs and match you with the right size. Bigger is not always better.
These five steps can cut your pool energy costs in half or more. And you are not giving anything up. Your pool stays just as clean and swimmable. Come into the store and we can help you figure out which changes make the most sense for your situation.
