Take on the energy-efficiency challenge
The pool industry, like the home-building and remodelling industry, can have a huge impact on reducing energy consumption to reduce the carbon footprint of each individual home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Energy Star website, if every pool pump in the U.S. were Energy Star certified, it could save up to $770 million in energy costs every year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to those of more than one million cars. Energy Star-certified inground pool pumps are also backed by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). It says VSPs use up to 65 per cent less energy, on average, than a standard model, while certified above-ground pool pumps use about 17 per cent less energy. This is information that needs to be passed along to pool owners. The Energy Star ratings on VSPs follow in the footsteps of other household appliances, by decreasing energy consumption and ultimately decreasing carbon emissions by utilities.
It is the same for the commercial pool industry. Energy costs are skyrocketing, and the need for efficient equipment is now. As many in the industry know, commercial facilities have annual inspections. Prior to this taking place, however, a thorough review of all the equipment involved in operating the aquatics portion of the facility should be checked. When doing so, techs should look to replace those parts that are worn or not working efficiently. For example, many aquatic facilities that have old pumps that are not working efficiently can now replace their pumps with more efficient, and quieter totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) motors. Heaters are also now built to withstand most of the harsh punishment that chemical imbalances in pools can cause, while, at the same time, are designed with more efficient heat exchanger systems to provide the best in heating efficiency at the lowest operating cost.
By methodically reviewing the equipment that uses the most energy, pool professionals can help facilities determine which equipment should be replaced to ensure aquatic facilities use fewer resources, run more efficiently and, most importantly, give pool operators peace of mind that the pool runs smoothly.
Further, homeowner associations with pools as well as HMAC pools, or large commercial aquatic facilities, can all become more ‘green’ and lower their operating costs by investing in energy-efficient equipment. To do so, however, pool professionals need to take the time to educate their clients/customers.
Selling energy efficiency sets a business apart
Today, pool professionals find selling energy-efficient products much easier than they expected. Even in areas where energy costs are quite low, consumers understand the inherent benefits of purchasing energy-saving equipment. Kazdin says consumers want to feel they are doing their part to lower their carbon footprint. Berggren agrees and explains their company is already changing out a lot of single-speed pumps for VSPs among the base of clients they service.
“Now that the DOE legislation has been officially announced, we are telling all of our customers this is the time to make the change,” says Berggren. “Even though our electricity is cheap, why be wasteful and use more electricity than is needed? Why waste power? Most people are open to this idea. It’s that ‘green-clean’ energy sales discussion.”
This season, Lenz and Kazdin have been sending out proactive emails and quotes that target the clients they service who have single-speed pool pumps. Lenz says his emails are informational as opposed to being a hard sell and use subject lines like ‘Save money running your pool’ and content like ‘Did you know a variable-speed pool pump could save you hundreds of dollars on your electrical bill?’
“In addition to making money, we are making pools as energy efficient as possible, which is the right thing to do,” says Lenz.
Similarly, Kazdin has sent upgrade quotes to their clients explaining the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) legislation and how energy-efficient pool pumps will eventually be the only type of pump manufactured for pools.
“We will then direct our customers to the manufacturer’s online cost-calculator and explain how the significant rebates make the investment less sizable,” says Kazdin, who feels good about doing their part to help reduce the energy needed to run the pools they build and maintain.
Over the last few years, the commercial market has seen its share of required product changes—from Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) on drains to required accessibility design and equipment. These changes came at great costs to commercial aquatic facilities, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), and HMAC pools. However, unlike those previous regulation changes, by upgrading pool pump room equipment to more energy-efficient products, commercial and semi-commercial pools will actually reduce daily operating costs (e.g. energy use as well as water and chemical consumption. As a result, the out-of-pocket costs may appear to be high initially, but the return on investment (ROI) is fairly quick. These savings can then be put back into facility programming. For example, if an aquatic facility is open year round and has its pool lights on for 10 hours a day and are paying an electrical rate of $.12/kWh, by simply changing five older incandescent lights to all-white LEDs, the facility will save approximately $1000 a year.
