How To Lower Your Energy Costs If You Own A Pool

Owning a pool is a significant investment. Not only is it expensive to install, but it can also cost a fortune to maintain. Your water and electric bills can skyrocket during the summer, especially if you are careless with the way you run your pool system. To ensure this water feature doesn’t bankrupt you, find as many ways as possible to lower your energy costs while running your pool.

Great ways to lower the energy costs of running a pool include using an insulating pool cover, switching to a variable speed pump, and running the pump less frequently. Keep pool water a few degrees cooler, or switch to a solar heating system. Install a heat pump, incorporate a smart technology system you can monitor from your phone, and block wind to reduce heat loss and evaporation.

Owning a pool should be a pleasure for homeowners, not a constant financial burden. Unfortunately, it can feel like your pool is draining your bank account every time you open up your monthly energy bill. To help you bring the joy back into being a pool owner, try to reduce operating costs. Below is a list of effective DIY ways to lower your pool’s energy costs this summer.

13 Ways To Help You Lower Your Pool's Energy Costs

1. Perform Pool Maintenance Yourself

One of the best ways to save money is to perform pool maintenance work yourself. When you do all the basic cleaning and upkeep needed to maintain a pool, you don’t need to pay a professional each month. Every time you perform your daily or weekly tasks, you have the chance to monitor your pool system. This allows you to keep track everything running optimally.

2. Run The Pump Less Frequently

If your electric bill goes up when pool season arrives, the pump is often to blame. Running a pool pump can cost you upwards of $200 per month, especially if you aren’t using it conservatively. It is right up there with your air conditioner as one of the top energy-consuming devices in the home. Find as many ways possible to use the pump less often. If it's been running 24 hours a day, stop doing it so frequently. Instead, you can operate for as little as 8 hours per day and still have a clean, well-functioning pool.

3. Use An Insulating Pool Cover

In addition to the pool pump, a heater is another major expense. Raising a pool just a few degrees can take more than an hour and use significant energy. If you live in a cooler climate and use your pool heater frequently, you’ll want to find ways to reduce your heating costs. An insulating pool cover is a fantastic way to cut these costs. It not only keeps debris and dirt out of the pool, but it also uses solar energy to help heat the water, for free. These covers are great for those in cool climates who don’t use their pool every day.

4. Install A Variable Speed Pump

One great investment you can make in your pool system is to install a variable-speed pump. Standard pumps run at only one speed, typically a high one that uses a lot of energy. Variable-speed pumps operate at lower speeds, resulting in significant energy savings. They are also more energy efficient and can save you more than 50% on your pool pump energy costs, making them a worthwhile investment.

5. Block The Wind

Windy conditions are not good for your pool for several reasons. It makes lounging by the pool less desirable, can blow in dirt and debris, and speeds up evaporation, potentially reducing water temperature. Use barriers to shield your pool area from wind. You can opt for natural barriers, such as hedges and other plants around your pool, or use privacy fencing to shield it from wind and onlookers. Blocking wind can help you save on heating and filtration costs throughout pool season.

6. Avoid Heating Your Pool When It’s Not In Use

One of the best ways to save money on pool costs each year is to be mindful of your pool heater. You want the water to be warm and comfortable when you jump in, but there is no need to keep it at optimal temperature when it’s not in use. Keep the pool heater off or set to low when the pool isn’t being used or when the weather is warm. This can save you a lot of money on your monthly energy bill.

7. Upgrade Old And Inefficient Pumps

Sometimes, the best way to lower your pool costs is to invest in new, energy-efficient equipment. Older pool pumps are less energy-efficient. Not only are most modern pumps variable-speed, but they also generally use significantly less energy than older models. These new pumps aren’t cheap, but they can save you 50% or more on your energy usage. They often pay for themselves in less than five years, and then start saving you money each pool season after that.

8. Keep Pool Water Slightly Cooler

In addition to turning your heater off when you aren’t using your pool, consider dropping the pool thermostat a few degrees. One or two degrees won’t make much of a difference in your overall comfort, but it can translate to noticeable savings on your electric bill. If you lower your pool temperature by just two degrees, you can save more than 10% on your heating costs each month. 

9. Add A Heat Pump To Maximize Efficiency 

A heat pump is another fantastic tool to help lower your pool heating costs each summer. A Heat pump is energy-efficient because it transfers heat from the air to warm your pool rather than using electricity to generate heat.

An effective heating pump can save you more than 50% on heating costs each season, resulting in significant savings over time.

10. Use A Pool Pump Timer

One great way to monitor your pool pump usage is to use a pool pump timer. This ensures you run your pump only when needed. You need the pump to keep the water clean and your pool functioning optimally, but the timer ensures it runs only as long as necessary.

11. Switch To Solar Power To Heat Your Pool

If you plan to live in your home for many years and want to find meaningful ways to lower your pool costs each summer, solar power is a great option. Install solar panels to heat your pool, helping to mitigate your overall energy costs. Solar panels are an investment, but if you aren’t moving any time soon, they are a worthwhile expense. 

12. Upgrade To A Smart System

Smart technology is a great way to save on your electric bill throughout your home. In addition to a smart thermostat and lights, you can connect your pool heater and pump to your phone using smart technology. You can adjust pool temperature and energy usage with your smartphone, making it easy to keep costs down and track and monitor energy use.

13. Use LED Lights 

While your pool pump and heater use the most energy, consider your lighting when looking for ways to save money on your pool. If your lights are antiquated, switch to energy-efficient LED lights. Making this simple change can quickly save you money on your electricity each month. While you may only use your pool in the summer, you'll likely use your pool lights year-round.

Summing Up Ways to Lower Your Pool Energy Costs This Summer

Owning a pool can feel like a massive and expensive undertaking. Pools require cleaning and upkeep, and the operational costs can be astronomical if you aren’t careful. If you’re sick of paying a fortune each month to run the pool, find ways to save energy. Consider switching to a modern variable-speed pool pump and running it less frequently. Invest in a heat pump or an insulating pool cover. Shelter your pool area from wind, and try lowering the water temperature a few degrees to save big on your electric bill. Swap out old lights for LEDs, and consider investing in solar power to heat your pool.

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