Pools and hot tubs go ‘green’

May 07, 2008

(NC)-Rising fuel costs and greater restrictions on water usage can make running pool and spa equipment more expensive these days - but the pool and spa industry has come up with a number of technological innovations to help you save energy, increase efficiency and cut operating costs.

Many pool and spa pumps, for example, now use more energy efficient motors that operate at variable speeds for greater efficiency. A micro-processor built into the pump determines and maintains the lowest amount of water flow for maximum performance and minimal energy use.

Pool heaters have also gone ‘green’. Special gas heater models called “Low NOx’ now release lower amounts of nitrogen oxide emissions into the air, which have been linked to smog and acid rain, while some heat pump pool heaters now use a special refrigerant that will not deplete the earth’s ozone layer.

Cartridge filters have been redesigned to allow pool and spa owners to use smaller pumps or lower pump speeds to minimize energy use. These filters also use cartridge elements that can be rinsed, rather than backwashed, to reduce water use.

The use of LED lights has also resulted in considerable energy savings for the pool and spa owner because of the minimal energy required to operate them. LED lights, as well as other pool and support equipment, save you even more money when operated by an automatic control system that allows you to take advantage of off-peak seasonal utility rates.

Special centrifugal water filtration devices have also been introduced that filter out up to 80 per cent of incoming sediment before the water is sent to the pool filter, reducing the need to backwash and saving water.

Even something as simple as a liquid solar product can dramatically improve heat retention in pools - reducing heating costs. These products create a liquid layer over the pool water to slow down evaporation of water and conserve heat in the pool.

More energy-saving ideas are available online at www.poolcouncil.ca or toll-free at 1-800-879-7066.

Email | Print | Letter to Editor | Share on Facebook

Pools and hot tubs go ‘green’

Most read in your Region

Most read across BC