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Water & Energy
Saving
Want to save money, energy and water while properly maintaining
your swimming pool? We've put together some money-saving tips
on some important topics.
Pool
Covers
Using a pool cover can regularly reduce evaporation by 90
to 95 percent.
Without a cover, an average pool of 18 ft. x 36 ft. will
lose about 1 in. of water per week in the peak summer months
This can add up to an annual water loss of 7,000 gallons.
Pool
Leaks
If you suspect your pool is leaking use a grease pencil to
mark the water level of the pool at the skimmer. Check the
mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 1/4
inch per day. Otherwise, a leak may be indicated.
Here are clues to look for:
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Algae or other persistent water quality problems indicating
imbalances in the chemistry. |
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Loose tiles or cracks in the pool deck. |
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Cracks and gaps in the bond beam. |
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Water-saturated soils in the area around the pool, pool
pumps or plumbing. |
If you determine that your pool is losing water, turn off
the filtration system and note where the water stops dropping.
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If the water stops at the skimmer, the leak is probably
in the filtration system. The lines may crack at vulnerable
elbows and fittings that are under stress from shifting
soils. |
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If the water stops at the light, the leak is probably
there. |
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If the water drops below the light, then there may be
a leak in the drain at the bottom the pool. |
If you suspect you have a leak in the filtration system these
clues may help you pinpoint the location:
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If you see bubbles in the return water when the pool's
pump is running, it's likely there's a leak in the suction
side of the filtration system. |
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If the pool is losing more water while running the pump,
then water is being lost on the return side of the system. |
Solar
Heating
Solar heating your pool can help extend your swimming season.
The newest solar panel technology is 90 percent efficient.
If you convert your heating system from natural gas to solar,
you can recoup your costs in as little as three years.
Solar heat collectors are made of copper or plastic. Copper
ones have a longer life, but are more pH sensitive and more
expensive. Plastic ones are less conductive than copper but
are inert to chemicals. They have about a 10-year lifespan.
Pumps &
Filters
A pump should be able to circulate pool water at least every
24 hours, but every 8 hours is preferred.
Most existing pool pumps are oversized for the size of the
pool and plumbing, which reduces filter effectiveness and
causes more wear and tear on plumbing.
For the average 1-1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inch plumbing pipes,
a pump of only 1/2 horsepower is necessary. Many pool owners
have bigger pumps, which dramatically increases electrical
pumping costs. For example, a 1/2 horsepower pump will cost
about $300 per year to run, while a 3/4 horsepower pump will
cost $450.
Filters
Current cartridge filters are now almost as effective as
diatomaceous earth filters, are much easier and safer to maintain,
and require very little water for cleaning.
Each time you backwash sand and diatomaceous earth filters
you use about 500 gallons of water.
Water
Quality
Proper chemical balancing can prevent and cure most water
clarity problems.
When is it appropriate to dump your pool water? Not as often
as you may think. Pools can often go 10 or more years without
draining and refilling. Here are some guidelines:
When the water that is being added to your pool is consistently
hard. This is more likely to happen during drought years when
the water is being drawn off the bottom of the reservoirs.
On the contrary, rainy years provide additional soft water.
When the total dissolved solids (tds) get too high.
Water quality problems often can be solved by draining only
a portion of the water.
If you have to drain your pool, make sure you take steps
to prevent the pool shell from popping out of the ground.
Using a hydrostatic valve or drilling holes in the bottom
of the pool can prevent this problem.
Dispose of your pool water properly. Contact you local wastewater
treatment plant for instructions before draining your pool.
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