Pools
Pools can be major energy users, so it's important to make sure
you take steps to gain control over pool energy use.
That's why FPL offers these easy and effective tips to help you
enjoy your pool while keeping energy costs down.
Pools use energy in two ways:
Pool pumps
By maintaining your pool's cleanliness, water clarity and chemical
levels, you may be able to reduce your pool pump's run time and
save up to $100 per year.
FPL recommends you limit the run time to
- six hours each day in summer and
- four hours each day in winter.
Reducing the run time of a one-horsepower pool pump from eight hours
per day to four hours can save you $13 a month. Try our pool pump
calculator to see how much you can save.
Pool heating
Pools can cost a lot to heat. Left unmonitored, pool heating can
quickly become a home's largest energy cost. But there are simple
steps you can take to keep the cost of pool heating down.
FPL offers tips to help you control pool-heating costs in three
ways:
- selecting a pool heater
- selecting the pool temperature and
- using a pool blanket.
Try our pool-heating calculator to find out how these tips may impact
your pool heating costs.
Selecting a pool heater
The type of heater you choose will impact the cost of heating your
pool for years to come. Before you buy, it's important to know which
type of pool heater is right for you.
Type
| Considerations |
| Solar heater |
- Black plastic or rubber panels mount on roof or ground.
- Saves money by avoiding electric or gas heating costs.
- Most effective where unshaded south exposure is available.
|
| Heat pump |
- Look and sound like an air conditioner.
- Most efficient way to heat with electricity.
- May require additional electrical wiring.
|
| Gas heater |
- Heaters use natural gas or liquid propane (LP).
- Heat pools quickly.
- Require a natural gas line or propane tank to supply fuel.
|
Selecting the pool temperature
When deciding how warm to keep your pool, remember that the warmer
the pool, the higher the cost of heating. The comfortable temperature
for your pool can depend on your swimming habits:
- Active swimmers will be comfortable at cooler water temperatures,
like 78°. This cooler temperature also helps keep heating costs
down.
- Very young and elderly swimmers may require a warmer temperature
of 80°.
Tips
Step
| Action |
| 1 |
Keep your pool heater's thermostat at the coolest comfortable
temperature. A pool thermometer will help you find the temperature
that is perfect for you. |
| 2 |
Mark your "comfort setting" on the heater thermostat to avoid
costly overheating. |
| 3 |
Lower the heater thermostat setting to 70° when the pool won't
be used for three or four days. For longer periods, shut the
pool heater off. |
Stay warm with a blanket
Any heated pool can benefit from a blanket. Two thirds of your
pool heat escapes from the water's surface. By using a pool blanket,
you can help keep the heat in the pool, and cut heating cost in
half.
A pool blanket can pay for itself in one swimming season. Try our
calculator below to see how much a blanket can save you.
Even unheated pools will stay warm longer if a blanket is used -
extending the swimming season by keeping natural heat in longer.
Tips:
- Use a pool blanket at night and when the pool is not in use
to cut your heating cost in half.
- For safety, remove pool blankets before swimming.
* How much will a solar pool heater save? By using a solar heater,
you would avoid the calculated cost of running a heat pump or gas
heater.
|
