Q My pool pump is on its last legs, so I?ll be buying one soon. My cousin out of state told me that she bought an energy-saving pump for her pool, to try to lower her electric bill. Do these things really save energy or is it just hype?   

When the time comes to replace the pump or its motor, an important energy saving approach is to get only the horsepower you need. A pool supplier can help you match the pump to the piping and pool that you have. If you decide to downsize the pump, talk to your supplier about using a larger filter and piping, to reduce the water-flow resistance in the system. For the most efficient operation, keep intakes and drains clean, and backwash regularly.

After you have your energy-saving pump, you can save even more by running it only as long as is needed. To determine that timing, you'll need to experiment. Start by running the pump for eight hours per day. If the pool stays clear, run the pump less often until it starts to get cloudy. Then, run it a bit more each day until it clears. That will give you a typical run time. You can use a timer, rated for your size of pump, to automatically turn the pump on and off for you. You may find that different run times are required at different times of the year. Thanks for writing in!

QBefore the economy took a nose dive, we never gave a thought to the cost of keeping our pool heated. But this summer, we're going to take a careful look at our energy bills. Can you give us ideas on how to reduce the pool's energy costs?

Sure thing. Energy costs for heating a pool depend on many things, including the temperature of the water, the fuel used for pool heating, the condition of the heating system, and other design features of the pool. But there are actions you can take to reduce the energy costs associated with most any heated pool:

1) Have the heating system checked and tuned yearly.  2)  Keep the thermostat set at the lowest comfortable temperature.  3)  Make a mark on the thermostat dial where that comfort level is, so that you can find it again if it?s accidentally moved.  4)  Turn down the thermostat to 70 if you're going to be out of the pool for 3-4 days, and turn it off for longer absences. 5)  Install a timer to run the pump only when you need it. 6) Most importantly, use a pool cover. A cover can cut energy use by 75%.

Q One of the big selling points of our new home was an outdoor hot tub. Now that we're living here, though, our energy bills are much higher than we expected. Could the tub be the culprit?

A: You bet it could. An average-sized, electrically-heated outdoor hot tub can use 4,500 kWh per year, or about half of an average home's annual electric use. Your exact usage depends on the size of your tub, the temperature difference between the water and the outside air, insulation levels around the hot tub and how often you use it.

You'll find that operating costs in the winter will be highest because the tub will lose heat quicker and require the heater to run longer. You can reduce some of the electricity use by keeping the temperature lower when the tub is not being used and making sure it is well insulated and that the cover is in good shape. If you have a hot-water heating system for your home, you may be able to find a plumber who can remove the tub's electric heating element and install a heat exchanger so that your boiler can provide cheaper heat to the hot tub.

Q We just bought a house with a pool. Because we're first-time pool owners, I didn't pay much attention to a column you ran about lowering operating costs for pool pumps. I'm hoping you'll run the advice again.

A: I'm happy to. The simplest thing you can do is to run the pump only as long as is needed. To determine that timing, you'll need to experiment. Start by running the pump for eight hours per day. If the pool stays clear, run the pump less often.

If it starts to get cloudy, run it a bit more each day until it clears. You may find that different run times are required at different times of the year. Use a timer that is rated for the size pump you have.

Another way you can save on running costs is to match the size of the pump to the needs of your pool. When it comes time to replace the pump or the pump motor, get only the horsepower you need and look for a two-speed or variable-speed pump motor. A pool supplier can help you match the pump to the piping and pool that you have. If you end up downsizing the pump, talk to your supplier about using a larger filter and piping to reduce the water-flow resistance in the system. For the most efficient operation, keep intakes and drains clean, and backwash regularly. 

Q One of the big selling points of our new home was a huge outdoor hot tub. Now that we're living here, though, our energy bills are much higher than they were at our old place. Could the tub be the culprit?

A.  You bet it could. An average-sized, electrically heated outdoor hot tub can use 4500 kWh per year, or about half of an average home's electric use for a year. For a typical Vermonter with a hot tub, that can be an additional $585 every year. If you have a hot water boiler heating system for your home, you may be able to find a plumber who can remove the electric heating element from the hot tub and retrofit a heat exchanger so that your boiler can provide cheaper heat to the hot tub. Be sure to keep the cover and surrounding insulation in good shape and prevent animals from damaging the insulation.

Q  I'd like to reduce the energy costs of using my pool. How can I do this?

A. The simplest thing you can do is to run the pump only as long as is needed. To determine that timing, you'll need to experiment. Start by running the pump for eight hours per day. If the pool stays clear, run the pump less often. If it starts to get cloudy, run it a bit more each day until it clears. You may find that different run times are required at different times of the year. Use a timer that is rated for the size pump you have.

Another way you can save on running costs is to match the size of the pump to the needs of your pool. When it comes time to replace the pump or the pump motor, get only the horsepower you need and look for a two-speed or variable-speed pump motor. A pool supplier can help you match the pump to the piping and pool that you have. If you end up downsizing the pump, talk to your supplier about using a larger filter and piping to reduce the water-flow resistance in the system. For the most efficient operation, keep intakes and drains clean, and backwash regularly.
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Q  Do you have any tips for saving water - especially in the summertime?

A.  Glad you asked! There are lots of things you can do to reduce the amount of water you use every day.  Start by installing low flow shower heads and faucet aerators. If you're remodeling or building, choose low water use toilets. Check faucets, valves, hoses and plumbing throughout your house and fix any leaks you find. If you have a private water system, make sure the well pump and pressure tank are in good working condition.

Summertime can really put a "drain" on water resources, but you can help by purchasing timers for lawn and garden watering. Double check garden hoses to make sure they're not left on. And think about getting yourself an old fashioned rain barrel to collect "free" rain water and water from gutters to use on lawns and gardens.

Q  My electric bill goes up in the summer when we open the swimming pool. Is there anything we can do?

 A.  The likely culprit is your pool pump.The fact is, most pool pumps run more than they have to. You can install a timer on your pump to reduce the run time and cut your energy costs. Start by running the pump eight hours each day. Adjust the timer to run the least amount of time and still maintain the water quality. Chances are, you'll need to vary run times depending upon the temperature outdoors and on how often you use your pool.

Q  How much electricity does our outdoor hot tub use?

A.   It would help to know how large your hot tub is, but in general, the average-size hot tub uses about 300 kilowatt-hours per month. The exact usage depends on the size of your tub, the temperature difference between the water and the outside air, insulation levels around the hot tub and how often you use it. You'll find that operating costs in the winter will be higher because the hot tub will lose heat quicker and require the heater to run longer.  You can help save electricity by keeping the temperature lower when the tub is not in use and making sure it is well insulated.