Conclusions
There are several ways to reduce the energy consumed by swimming pools. Variable-speed pumps, however, top the list in terms of how much can be saved. Studies show these pumps can reduce a pool’s energy consumption by up to 90 per cent, depending on how often the pump runs, what it is used for (e.g. water features, circulation, running a pool cleaner, etc.) and the overall hydraulic design of the pool. The result is a 20- to 40-per cent reduction of the homeowner’s total monthly electric bill.
A growing number of utility companies have discovered the advantages of high-efficiency multi-speed and variable-speed pumps, as they reduce energy use and provide significant reductions in peak demand.
To put all of this in an even broader context, it is interesting to note that retro-fitting existing homes for improved energy efficiency is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of policy initiatives targeting clean energy development, according to the Home Performance Resource Center. Practitioners of energy efficiency methods are also increasingly aware that swimming pools represent a large percentage of a home’s energy costs.
In addition to the significant energy savings that can be realized by using multi-speed and variable-speed pool pumps, an increasing number of professionals, in many energy-related fields, are also looking at LED lighting, energy-friendly heating methods and automation controls as ways to reduce the carbon footprint of today’s swimming pools.
Steve Easley is owner of Steve Easley & Associates in Danville, Calif., a nationally recognized building science consultant specializing in green and best practice building. He can be reached via e-mail at steve@steveeasley.com.
Jeff Farlow is program manager of energy initiatives at Pentair Water Pool and Spa. He is a nationally recognized expert on pool energy efficiency and is a member of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) committee dedicated to developing a standard for energy efficiency for residential inground swimming pools and spas (APSP-15). Farlow is also a member of the Canadian Standards Association’s (CSA’s) energy committee working on CSA-C840 performance of pool pumps. He can be reached via e-mail at jeff.farlow@pentairwater.com.
