Climate change. Global warming. Increased pollution. There’s no end to the list of the dangers facing our environment, our planet, and ourselves. That’s why it’s so vital to become aware of one’s own behaviour, and for everyone to make the changes that we all so desperately need.

South Africa marks May as Energy Awareness month – and educates us all as to the changes we can make in our lives that will have a positive impact.

Let’s look at why we need energy-efficient swimming pools.

Pools are great to have. They give us so much opportunity to do the things we love, like socialising, exercising, and winding down.

We need to remember though that with privilege comes responsibility. We have a duty to ourselves, our loved ones, and society to make our pools as energy efficient as we can, especially as we enter the winter months and start heating our pools.

Energy-efficient pools:

• Cut the amount of energy needed. The more efficient a pool is, the less energy you need. This means less burden on your electricity needs.
• Save you money. They don’t need energy to consistently power or heat the pool. 
• Are renewable. There are sustainable alternatives to powering your pool, like solar heating, and that’s also zero-carbon fuel you can use to power your whole home. 
• Promote the creation of new technologies. With more and more people becoming energy-aware, manufacturers work harder to fill the demand for energy-efficient products across all industries.

So what can you do to reduce your pool’s thirst for energy?

Here are some tips to help save the environment – and save money too.

• Use a pool cover when you’re not swimming. Pool covers limit how much electricity your pool uses, from retaining the heat that’s created by your pool heater, to preventing evaporation which, when refilling, will increase your home’s water usage. 
• Use solar technology. Install solar panels that can power your pool sustainably year-round and warm it in winter. Buy solar blankets to lock in any warmth generated, which can reduce heating costs by between 50% and 70%.
• Buy a smaller, more efficient pump. The larger your pool pump is, the more energy it’ll consume. So get the smallest pump that will work for your pool’s size. Rule of thumb, a pump with 0.75 horsepower is more than enough for most residential pools. And the more efficient the pump is, the less you’ll need to use it, saving you up to 75% of your original pump bill.
• Use your pool pump wisely. How you use your pump is the most important factor in determining its power needs. Reduce filtration time to six hours daily. Install a timer to control your pump’s cycling. Clean your intake grates regularly. Skim off debris when the water isn’t being circulated.
• Maintain your pool’s filter and cleaning system. A dirty filter will cause your cleaning system to work harder and draw more energy than needed, as well as being less effective. Get into a routine of cleaning your filter, backwashing, and adding chemicals. This will ensure optimal performance.
• Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting. Pool lights give your whole outside area an inviting atmosphere. But there’s no need to lose them. Compact fluorescent lamps use around 80% less electricity than traditional bulbs, and last 10 times longer! Outdoor solar lights are another great option, being simple to set up and needing no maintenance once installed.
• Pick the right finish for your pool. Did you know that a pool’s finish also helps to save energy? Darker-coloured pool finishes absorb the sun’s rays, helping heat the pool. No, not everyone wants a darker coloured pool, but if the environment is top-of-mind for you, choose such a finish.

The last point is also the most important. The buck stops with you, as the pool owner, when it comes to your pool’s energy thirst. Keep it covered when not in use. If you use the pool only on weekends, don’t keep the heater running constantly. And keep the water clean and flowing smoothly otherwise it will eventually clog the pump and force it to work harder.

Enough preaching for now though! Go and enjoy your swim!