Money Saving Tips For Pool Maintenance
Money saving tips for pool maintenance
A swimming pool is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your backyard. It also takes up a signification portion of your outdoor space. Regular maintenance will not only protect your property’s asset, but it will also improve your garden’s outlook and ensure everyone is swimming in clean, healthy water. Rather than skimp on pool maintenance, if you’re looking to save money take a look at these tips.
1. Avoid wasting pool water
Topping up your pool can not only increase your water bills significantly, it also puts pressure on our overall water supply especially with regular droughts. Most pool water is wasted in one or more of these ways:
- Evaporation
- Splash/overflow
- Leaks
- Filter backwashing
You can reduce the loss of water from evaporation by covering your pool. Planting hedges or shrubs, or building a wall to protect your pool from wind will also assist to conserve water. Discouraging kids (big ones too!) from bombs, diving and general splashing will limit overflow.
If you’re noticing your water level dropping significantly in a 24 hour period, there is likely to be a leak. Even a small leak can cause noticeable water loss and be costing you money. Engage a pool professional to check for leaks and repair them immediately.
Decreasing the frequency and duration of backwashing by keeping your pool and filtration system clean will also save you money.
If you do need to top up your pool, use tank water. If you don’t have a tank, consider installing one as you’ll soon experience a return on investment.
2. Turn down the temperature
A heater is essential to improving your swimming experience and extending the usability of the pool throughout the year. As with heating your home, heating your pool to a high temperature will cost you money and lots of it.
When the pool is not in use, turn down the temperature. If there is a long period where you won’t be diving in, turn the heating system off altogether.
You can read more about pool heating here.
3. Invest in a cover
You can improve the water loss due to evaporation by up to 90% by simply installing a pool cover. Not only will this reduce the costs incurred, it will also help reduce your pool cleaning and help maintain a comfortable temperature.
If you really like stepping into a warm pool, considering investing in a solar cover that will help attract the heat from the sun and help maintain the desired temperature.
4. Run the filter and pumps at the right time
Consider when you’re running your filter and pool pumps. If your energy provider offers off-peak savings (typically in the evening), cut your pool maintenance costs by operating it at these times. Program your timer to run for only the number of hours you need.
If you have neighbours nearby, consider the noise of your swimming pool equipment as running them late at night may not make you a very popular homeowner.
5. Regular filter basket cleaning
Even the most state of the art filtration systems need maintenance. Regularly cleaning the filter baskets from debris and leaf litter will reduce the strain on your pump system and help extend the life of your equipment.
Keeping your pool clean will also help preserve the efficiency of the pump motors.
6. Turn off your water features
The sound and look of moving water provide many homeowners enjoyment. However, running water features consumes a lot of energy and therefore costs additional money.
Instead of running your water features continuously, only run these when your outdoors or have guests.
Feature image: Space Landscape Designs
