energy efficient swimming pools
There are some good options for reducing the energy costs of your swimming pool. They include the use of pool covers, solar pool heating systems and energy-efficient pool pumps properly sized. They are the key elements for an energy-efficient swimming pool .
Swimming pool covers
A pool cover can reduce heat loss by up to 50%, opening a huge opportunity for energy savings. Just pay attention to their types and efficiency, and also to their lifespan and ease of operation. Pool covers are an essential element of an energy efficient swimming pool.
See: Energy Efficient Pool Covers
When to Consider a Solar pool heater
If you are unhappy with your pool's heating bills, or if you want to extend your swimming season or raise the temperature of your pool's water by some degrees, consider solar pool heating.
Solar pool technology is simple to implement and relatively cheap... Solar pool heaters are crucial to get an energy efficient swimming pool.
The basics of solar pools
Since common pools have already a pump and a filter system, implementing a solar pool heater is often a question of adding some pipes and a set of solar panels to the existing system (see: Swimming Pool Panels).
Typically, the whole process begins with an automatic control system that senses changes in sunlight or water temperature. A control valve reads the information and channels or diverts the pool water to the collectors where it is heated before flowing back into the pool through a return pipe system.
Source: US Department of Energy
Solar Pool Heating investment and its payback
Installing a typical 300-400 square foot (28-38m2) residential pool may cost you about $3,000 to $5,000. But since the running costs of solar pool systems are minimal, the payback period is typically very small.
See: Solar Pool Prices and Payback
Solar pool pumps
In many cases, implementing a solar pool in an existing pool doesn't require a new pump, though a small second pump may be needed...
Be aware, anyway. Maintaining a comfortable swimming pool temperature doesn't require a big pump system. On the contrary: it's important to have a pump system as small as possible, and to operate it during relatively short periods of time to get energy savings... Sizing properly an high energy efficient pool pump is very important for energy savings.
See: Energy Efficient Pool Pumps
Other elements for energy efficient swimming pools
The use of a pool cover, solar heating and a well sized high-efficient pump is crucial to get an energy efficient swimming pool. But there are other elements you should also consider when building a new swimming pool: its shape (rectangle, oval, round...), its size, height or even the surrounding landscape and the exposition to sun, wind and shade...
So, look for the help of an expert. Things are often more complex than they first seem. An example: the impact of the wind on evaporation and heat loss. In windy sites, a good windbreak - made from shrubs and fences - can drastically limit that loss, but be aware. That's not automatic. The windbreak should not cause turbulence over the pool, or shade...
Think also the exposition of the pool to the sun. Since pools absorb much of the solar energy that strikes on the surface of their water (75%–85%) a good sun-exposition is highly advantageous. But... we should also consider other impacts. We can't forget that evaporation in very high in sunny places, which combined with strong winds can turn what seemed an excellent solution into a poor one...
See also:
Best of swimming pools