Another serious Texas summer has officially announced itself with record-setting temperatures, heat advisories, and humidity levels even Houston should tip its hat to. As North Texans brace for the season’s notorious temperatures, many Texas pool owners are seeking sanctuary from the sun.
In terms of pools per capita, Texas holds its own with over 800,000 backyard swimming destinations. Obviously, these outdoor oases are welcome retreats, but they can be one of summer’s double-edged swords, spelling high expenses and energy drains.
So far this summer, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, has already issued two weather watches. As heat waves hammer North Texas, we could face the real possibility of rolling blackouts or worse.
Since swimming pools account for a huge chunk of our summer energy expenses, it’s incredibly important to learn where the inefficiencies lie. We sat down with Duke Loper, Operations Officer of Hobert Pools, to get some expert advice on eco-friendly aquatics.
Pain at The Pool Pump
Perhaps the most important piece of equipment when it comes to an eco-efficient pool is the pump. According to some estimates, a pool pump can consume up to 5,000 kWh per year. That’s pretty incredible considering the average Texan consumes about 1,094 kWh per month.
Thankfully, technology has caught up to these devices and there are much more efficient options out there.
“I would certainly recommend using a variable speed pool pump as the best way to insulate against high energy usage,” Loper said. “These devices run about 12 hours a day circulating water and can be incredibly costly. To generate the flow necessary to clean most pools, conventional pumps run at about 2,000 watts whereas variable speed pumps can do the same job at about 250 watts. If you’re looking to save on energy this is certainly the best place to start.”
The Solar Blanket Solution
One of the big problems with swimming pools, especially in Texas, is evaporation. Standing water that sits in triple-digit temperatures can quickly become cloud matter. And as we all know, draught conditions can put an equal strain on water consumption. Thankfully, there is a solution to this in the form of solar blankets.
“They’re actually required in some areas,” Loper said. “These are basically thermal blankets made from resin designed to minimize water evaporation.”
Of course, they’re also an absolute must for heated pools.
“Solar blankets are made from a film of thousands of little bubbles,” Loper said. “They look like bubble wrap. These bubbles collect and retain heat. Therefore, those with heated pools can keep their water warm without relying so heavily on heat pumps.”
Of course, keeping water warm shouldn’t be a problem this summer. However, this is a great tip for those late- or early-season dips.
Light It Up
Last but not least, lighting can be a significant energy suck, especially for those with the wrong equipment. One of the easiest ways to save on pool costs is by transitioning your outdoor and aquatic lighting to LED. It’s also pretty neat in terms of aesthetics.
“I’d definitely make the switch to LED,” Loper said. “Newer LED lights not only save a ton of energy, but they also look great. You can program them to just about any color and even set up a light show in the pool. Our customers absolutely love them.”
