General Pool Tips

It’s no surprise that swimming pools cost a significant amount to operate, but there are specific things you can do to increase your pool’s energy efficiency. Save money and ensure safety with these useful energy efficiency, maintenance and safety tips for your pool.

• Purchase new test strips or liquid test kits at the beginning of each pool season to ensure accuracy.
• Test the sanitizer (chlorine or bromine), pH and alkalinity levels of your pool water at least once a week.
• Test your water supply weekly and have pool water tested at your pool supply company about every month.
• Adjust all chemical levels as necessary to maintain proper balance.

Water Chemistry Reference Chart (Based on a white plaster 10,000 gallon pool)

 

• Remove floating debris from your pool to prevent damage to your pool pump and motor.
• Ensure drains and intakes are unclogged and keep filters clean.
• Backwash weekly to keep sand filters clean. (D.E. filters should be backwashed monthly or as needed, and dismantled and cleaned yearly).
• Clean cartridge filters weekly, and replace them every 12 to 24 months to enhance your pool’s efficiency.

• Install an automatic time clock.
• Reduce your pool pump run time to 8 hours per day to save 66% on your monthly electric cost (To estimate your pool pump's most efficient run time, view the water filtration guidelines).
• Make sure your pool pump is the right size for your pool.
• When replacing your pool pump, consider a model with an energy efficient pump motor.

 

• When performing maintenance on an electric pool pump, remember to first disconnect the device at the breaker box.
• Keep all electrical cords and appliances away from your pool (If an electrical device does fall into the pool, unplug it first).
• To protect you from electrical shock and possible fire, have a licensed electrical contractor install ground fault circuit interrupters in all outdoor outlets and electrical circuits serving pool equipment.
• Make sure your skimmer pole does not come in contact with any overhead power lines.

 

• Have a qualified pool technician perform seasonal checkups on your pool equipment and schedule a preventive maintenance service call for your pool heater on an annual basis (Also, consider routine checkups for pool pump motors and other equipment).
• Only run the heater when you are going to use the pool.
• Reduce the temperature setting to 78 degrees (from 82 degrees) and you will use up to 40% less energy.
• Run the pool pump during a freeze to help prevent cracks in pool equipment, pipes and other damage.