Make Your Swimming Pool More Energy Efficient

Welcome to another in a series of training videos how to make an existing pool more energy-efficient. So there are many things for you to do to an existing pool and its equipment to make the foot print more energy efficient. We are going to now explore those options.
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There are three ways to make existing swimming pools more energy-efficient. The first is to increase the hydraulic efficiency of the pool system which causes lower head loss leading to the smallest pump or lowest rpm necessary. Second is to reduce the RPM of the motor by using variable or multi-speed motors. The third is to replace electrical items on the pool with more energy-efficient models.

Increase Hydraulic Efficiency

Let’s start with the ways you can increase the hydraulic efficiency of the pool system. So one way is to increase the size of the return eyeball fittings. Having small eyeball fittings installed on the pool returns give a false impression flow by showing movement via water pressure. Put a larger eyeball on the return giving you more flow with less back pressure. Shown here our eyeballs sizes 3/8 through one inch. Using a small eyeball is like putting a pressure nozzle on the end of the hose. Thus giving you less flow with more pressure.

Replace Older Filters

Older filters should be replaced with more flow efficient cartridge filters as shown here with the de-filter backwash valve add a substantial amount of head loss which reduce flow. Cartridge filters do not need a backwash valve to reduce head loss and increase flow. High head loss ninety degree elbows in the plumbing system can be replaced with more efficient double forty fives. As a result even more efficient sweeps by re-plumbing to remove any and unnecessary fittings from the system will also help. Soas shown here most state-of-the-art equipment comes with union connecting fittings that allow for 2 inch or 2. 5 inch pipe.

Increase Pipe Size

Plumbing a system in the largest and most efficient pipe will reduce head loss and increase flow. So  increasing the pipe size to 2 or 2. 5 inch or even larger to make sure the pump is getting all the water it needs. The suction side the pump should have a manifold that builds in size to accommodate the flow coming from multiple suction points. We have talked about those things we can do to improve the hydraulic efficiency of the pool.  Now let us look at what we can do with the pump that circulates the water.

The Pump Affinity Law

How does the multi-speed technology work. It all starts with the pump affinity law. As shown here this law states that when you reduce the speed of the pump by half the head loss will be one quarter of what it was at full speed and the electrical usage will be approximately one-eighth of what it was at full speed. Therefore the great part about this law is when you cut the speed in half once more the law again applies,thus increasing your energy savings again. The actual savings will vary depending upon the increased runtime: to make sure complete turnover is achieved Hayward has many models of two-speed pumps along with the EcoStar variable speed pump We will have a training video soon that will talk in more detail about the EcoStar and variable speed technology as shown.

Hayward  Pumps Filters and Heaters

Hayward has many pumps filters and heaters that have two by two and a half inch connecting couplers that allow for increasing the pipe size and providing new with the enjoyment of owning an energy-efficient swimming pool. Last but not least changing out high-wattage lights with low wattage LED’s will reduce electrical cost. Try installing color-changing universal Color Logic LED lights. A whole new world of color is added to your swimming pool.

Hayward has many pumps filters and heaters available on Amazon. Please click here.

Thanks for letting us help to improve the efficiency of your swimming pool