Reducing the running cost of your swimming pool
Whilst having a swimming pool in the garden is a dream for many people, it’s an expensive task to undertake. One large factor in what makes them so expensive is their running costs once they have been installed – particularly for heated swimming pools. It’s not something many people think about before investing, but it is something you can remedy if you find the cost of running and maintaining your pool is a little too high for your budget.
In this article we’ll suggest ways in which you can lower the running cost, from the simple tips you can utilise, to the drastic changes you can make.
More Efficient Pumps
Many people don’t realise that their circulation pumps could be costing them on energy bills. If you’ve had your pool for a while already you might be pleased to learn that efficiency in technology has improved and changing your pump will make the world of difference. By simply having a new circulation pump fitted for your pool, it could cut the amount of energy used by this one component by at least half – of course this depends on the age and model of your current pump, so it’s best to consult an expert on the matter if you aren’t sure.
The same applies for heat pumps. Having had the same heating system for your pool over a few years, you might not have realised that your heating components could be changed. Once again, consulting an expert will help as they can tell you if newer parts will increase efficiency and cut down your heating bills.
Pool Covers
If you don’t already have a pool cover, get one now. There are two main ways in which pool covers can save you money, especially if you invest in a solar pool cover.
Heat – You’ll surely save money on heating your pool if you keep the water covered. Any heat already in the pool will be conserved while, when starting to heat the pool, your water will already be slightly warmer, making the heating system do less work.
Chemicals – Without a pool cover your water will slowly be evaporated as a natural process. This means, over time, you’ll add more chemicals than you would if you kept your pool covered when it’s not in use. Additionally, fewer foreign objects will get into the pool and alter the chemical balance.
Fitting Solar Panels
One the whole, solar panels get a bad reputation in the UK, with people arguing that they don’t look nice or stating that we don’t get enough sunlight. These things can be true, but given that the main time you’ll be using your pool is during better weather, you can probably expect greater efficiency from solar panels at these times.
Fitting solar panels specifically to heat your pool can seem like a lot of work, but with all the pools energy being drawn from a free source, you can save a lot of money. Getting the angle of your panels right is important here, so do your research and seek professional advice before investing to find out where you should have the panels placed.
At H2O Swimming Pools we provide swimming pool heating and can advise you on the best way to look after your pool to cut running costs. Simply contact us today and we’ll be happy to discuss your individual requirements.