5 Tips for Energy Efficient Swimming Pool

When installing a swimming pool, most people don't realize that its initial cost is only a small part of the money they have to invest in it. No-one would dispute that owning a swimming pool is great, but running it can be quite costly. Discover how to make your pool more energy efficient, so you can enjoy it and not worry about the cost too much.

1 Invest into energy efficient pumps and motors

Choosing the right pump for your swimming pool is very important. You will probably be surprised to know that in the first year of operation a swimming pool pump and motor can consume more energy than their initial cost. Bear in mind that you expect your pump to work for several years and it becomes obvious that buying a cheaper model that is not energy efficient will cost you much more in the long term.

So if your pumps are several years old, replace them with new, more energy efficient ones. And if you only start building your pool, invest in a good pump from the beginning.

2 Use pool covers

When we think of pool covers, most people assume that their main function is to prevent fallen leaves and debris from getting into the pool. Covers do that, of course. But what is more important, they prevent your pool from loosing its temperature.

If you use a pool heater in colder months, most of your energy loss will be because water evaporates from your pool taking the heat away. Just cover your pool when it's not in use and that alone will save you up to 50 percent of heating costs.

3 Don't let the wind steal your heat

Pool covers are great when the pool is not in use, but how do you prevent water evaporation when you are actually swimming? One way is to reduce wind around the pool. You can plant shrubs or build a fence to block wind. One thing to consider when installing windbreakers is that they have to be close enough to your pool to keep the wind out, but they shouldn't block the sunlight.

4 Set the right water temperature

If you use a gas pool heater, it consumes considerably more energy when you make your water warmer. Add about 10 percent of energy cost for each degree. So by keeping your temperature low, you can save significantly. Of course, if you don't fancy swimming in cold water, you can install an energy efficient heater.

5 Consider installing a solar swimming pool heater

The best thing about a solar heater is that apart from the initial cost of buying and installing one, it costs nothing to operate, the energy source is free. Solar heaters are ideal for heating swimming pools, especially if your pool is not very large.

There are two general types - glazed and unglazed solar collectors for heating outdoor pools. Unglazed solar heaters are actually inexpensive and work quite well in most cases. These units are simple, made from black plastic or rubber. There is no need for a water tank - water runs directly through the collector. Glazed collectors are more sophisticated and include a heat exchanger. They provide better faster heating, but they also cost more to install.

You can also use a combination of solar and gas heaters. Use a gas heater to heat up your pool quickly, but then you can switch it off and let the solar unit keep the water temperature pleasantly warm.

Tanya Turner is a publisher of Swimming Pool Supply and Accessories where you can find information about all types of pools, and price comparisons of swimming pool supply and accessories

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Polaris Pool Cleaner Parts - Keep Your Pool Cleaner Running Like New

The good ol’ summertime has rolled into town once more, and lucky ol’ you are going to take on that lucky ol’ sun with your backyard swimming pool and weekend barbecues until the first chill winds of autumn blow back around. You’re getting the pool whipped into shape, but you notice that your Polaris pool cleaner isn’t holding up its end of the bargain in the manner you have come to expect. Don’t panic; every trusty tool needs a tuneup form time to time, and you may just need to treat your Polaris cleaner to a new Polaris pool cleaner part.

You may have become so used to the flawless performance of your Polaris pool cleaner that you had forgotten there were such things as Polaris pool cleaner replacement parts. But replacement parts there are, and you will have no problem finding whichever one you need. There are several ways, in fact, for you to approach your search for a Polaris pool cleaner part.

Where To Find You Polaris Pool Cleaner Parts

The quickest way to corral the Polaris pool cleaner part you need is to head for your nearest pool supplies store. Polaris is one of the most respected and in-demand pool cleaners, so the odds are excellent that you will have to go no further than your local pool supplies vendor to find exactly the Polaris pool cleaner part you need. But if you’re accustomed to purchasing pool supplies from you local home improvement mega store like Lowe’s or Home Depot, fear not. They are also good bets to carry Polaris pool cleaner parts.

If you just don’t want the hassle of driving around in search of your replacement part, however, your third option is to go to Cyberland and hit the swimming pool supply websites which come up on a Google search. You can comparison shop for your Polaris pool cleaner part, and when you find the store offering it at the lowest price, place you order and wait for Fedex, UPS, or the postman.

Surfing the Internet is a great way to find everything and anything you need to get your Polaris pool cleaner running at its maximum for the minimum price; just read some customer reviews of the sites offering the part you need to make sure they are on the up-and-up, and let you determine if they have a satisfactory return policy in case the Polaris pool cleaner part they ship is defective in any way.

You can also find more info on Inground Pool Cleaner and Navigator Pool Cleaner. Poolcleaners-help.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Swimming Pool Cleaning.
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Swimming Pool Supply Kit Information

Any swimming pool owner knows that maintaining a it is quite a task. To make it as easy as possible, you should keep a certain supply kit on hand at all times. The supply kit should be a stash of certain basic items required to care for your swimming pool.

Pool chemicals are the key component of any supply kit. They are needed to keep the pool clear and clean. They help to prevent things like slime, scum, mold, and algae. Chemicals also help to remove harmful germs and bacteria. Some of the most common chemicals required for pool care are chlorine and bromine. Additional things, such as algaecide, stabilizers, balancers and shocks, are also required.

It follows, logically, that an automatic chemical dispenser is also a great thing to keep in your supply kit. Automatic chemical dispensers, while not completely necessary, do save a lot of time and work. They dispense a set amount of chemicals at a set time. That way, the owner does not need to monitor the situation quite as closely, although monitoring chemical levels is still important.

Testing kits or testing strips are also critical items to keep in your supply kit. After all, how do you plan to know how much of each chemical your pool needs replenished if you can't test the chemical levels that already exist?

Other useful things to keep include repair supplies, such as patches, in case your pool liner develops a leak, and a face mask, in case you need to check or repair something in the water.

Something else you should keep in or near your supply kit is a first aid box. That way, if anyone is injured while swimming in your pool, you will have access to basic first aid needs, such as ace bandages and band aids.

Beyond these basics, what to keep in your kit will depend greatly on you and your swimming pool. A lot depends on the size and whether it is in ground or above ground. It also depends greatly on how often you plan to use it and what your budget is.

Regardless of what you keep in your pool kit, the best place to restock your kit is at a supply store. Many times whoever installs your pool will either have such a store themselves or be able to recommend one to you. Such stores are a wealth of information. The staff will be able to assist you with all of your swimming pool needs, from chemicals to toys.

For more swimming pool information please visit http://www.swimmingpoolbasics.com - a popular pool website that provides tips, advice and swimming pool resources. Don't forget to check out our page on swimming pool supply.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Riley_Hendersen

Swimming Pool Supply Kit Information

Any swimming pool owner knows that maintaining a it is quite a task. To make it as easy as possible, you should keep a certain supply kit on hand at all times. The supply kit should be a stash of certain basic items required to care for your swimming pool.

Pool chemicals are the key component of any supply kit. They are needed to keep the pool clear and clean. They help to prevent things like slime, scum, mold, and algae. Chemicals also help to remove harmful germs and bacteria. Some of the most common chemicals required for pool care are chlorine and bromine. Additional things, such as algaecide, stabilizers, balancers and shocks, are also required.

It follows, logically, that an automatic chemical dispenser is also a great thing to keep in your supply kit. Automatic chemical dispensers, while not completely necessary, do save a lot of time and work. They dispense a set amount of chemicals at a set time. That way, the owner does not need to monitor the situation quite as closely, although monitoring chemical levels is still important.

Testing kits or testing strips are also critical items to keep in your supply kit. After all, how do you plan to know how much of each chemical your pool needs replenished if you can't test the chemical levels that already exist?

Other useful things to keep include repair supplies, such as patches, in case your pool liner develops a leak, and a face mask, in case you need to check or repair something in the water.

Something else you should keep in or near your supply kit is a first aid box. That way, if anyone is injured while swimming in your pool, you will have access to basic first aid needs, such as ace bandages and band aids.

Beyond these basics, what to keep in your kit will depend greatly on you and your swimming pool. A lot depends on the size and whether it is in ground or above ground. It also depends greatly on how often you plan to use it and what your budget is.

Regardless of what you keep in your pool kit, the best place to restock your kit is at a supply store. Many times whoever installs your pool will either have such a store themselves or be able to recommend one to you. Such stores are a wealth of information. The staff will be able to assist you with all of your swimming pool needs, from chemicals to toys.

For more swimming pool information please visit http://www.swimmingpoolbasics.com - a popular pool website that provides tips, advice and swimming pool resources. Don't forget to check out our page on swimming pool supply.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Riley_Hendersen

The Basics Of Swimming Pool Supply

Whether you are thinking about installing a pool for your enjoyment or you already have one, there are a few things about swimming pool supply options that you may need to know to keep up the maintenance of your pool.

The first and foremost swimming pool supply you will need is a pump or filtration system. Not only do pumps keep pools clean, filtration systems keep harmful and unwanted items from remaining in the pool. Pool heaters are also available for those who prefer warmer swimming water for year-round enjoyment. Heaters pull in water to heat, and release it back into the swimming pool.

Pool cleaners and chemicals are another vital swimming pool supply needed for cleaning and maintaining water purity. Cleaners, such as vacuums and nets, use suction to clean dirt and debris from the bottom of the pool, or skimming the water's surface.

Chemicals stabilize pool water and make swimming water safe by killing harmful bacteria and keeping chlorine levels in order. Chemicals such as bromine, chlorine, algaecide, and shock are most commonly used in swimming pools. If you are unsure about how to keep proper chemical levels on your own, you may purchase automatic chemical dispensers. These are easy and practical to use, and can help you with dispensing chemicals quickly and safely.

Along with chemicals, you will need to make sure you have a test kit, or testing strips, for testing the water on a regular basis. You can find out what chemicals are needed to balance the water at any swimming pool supply store or to see that the water is at a safe chemical level for swimming. These kits can take the guesswork out of knowing what you need to do to your pool for a safe and enjoyable swim.

The easiest and most popular way of testing swimming pool water is through the use of test strips. Most testing strips allow you perform a variety of tests on the water all at the same time, unlike test kits which require a separate test for each chemical deficiency.

Test strips are simply put in the water, and then compared to a chart to find out what needs to be added. When using chemicals in your swimming pool, be sure to always read directions carefully to prevent an accident. Never touch chlorine, or any other chemical and wear protective gloves when dispensing to prevent burning of the skin. It is important not to mix chemicals and try to make sure all products are compatible with each other.

Another common swimming pool supply used by many pool owners is a pool cover. Winter covers, solar covers and safety covers are widely used to maintain cleanliness as well as to protect use of the pumps and heaters. Not only can covers be used to cut down on cleaning during the months the pool is not in use, they can also provide safety to family and pets.

While there are many swimming pool supply options to choose from, your needs will really depend on what you personally need and like, as well as your budget. Swimming pool equipment is very important in maintaining the safe operation and maintenance of the water, as well as enjoyment of your pool.

For more swimming pool information please visit http://www.swimmingpoolbasics.com - a popular pool website that provides tips, advice and swimming pool resources. Don't forget to check out our page on swimming pool supply.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Riley_Hendersen

Overview of Swimming Pool Filter Pumps

Any swimming pool setup requires a pump for filtering and heating. It is important to make the correct choice when purchasing a pool pump, and you might not be pleased with your purchase if you don't first do your homework.

A swimming pool pump is responsible for circulating water through heating and filtering unites with efficiency and at the lowest energy costs as possible. The right pump for your size and type of pool will achieve this.

Pool maintenance is more involved than assembling parts to pump water at the correct flow rate. Other factors come into consideration in order to achieve a system optimized for power usage and quick circulation.

Before you purchase a new pool pump, try to keep the following in mind. Make sure the pump you buy as capable designed to operate efficiently with your size swimming pool. Follow that one simple rule and you can't go wrong.

The right pool pump for the job

Even the most efficient pool pump can use up a lot of power, on the scale of household air conditioning. At an average of about 3/4 horsepower, a swimming pool pump represents a significant power consuming device. The best strategy is to use one that is most efficient for your pool size.

The first step is to ensure the pumps capacity is a match for your pool volume. It might be tempting to buy a larger pump than is needed. This usually results in only in higher electrical bill without any benefit to pumping efficiency. A better strategy is to use a pump that optimize the power and duration in order to circulate the water in as short amount of time and with as little power as needed.

Pump functionality

In addition to the correct horsepower, an efficient pump for your pool will have efficiency ensuring functionality - regulator and timer functions are highly desirable for achieving maximum efficiency.

Brand names:

A couple of brand names come to the fore front when it comes to pull pumps. Most notably, names like Hayward and Intex have developed state of the art technology in every system they make. Both of these companies have pumping systems for your pool type and size. You can consult with these companies directly or with your local dealer to pick out the right pump for your pool.

Hayward Pool Supply

Hayward is a best of breed when it comes to swimming pool pumps. Each pump purchased from a Hayward dealer comes with over 80 years experience in swimming pool pumps.
Established in the 1920s, Hayward Pool Supply provides the industries top pool equipment to this day. Filters, heat pumps, or any other circulation related items can be purchased from Hayward for Hayward products, so you know every item is designed as part of a systematic approach.

Intex Pool Supplies

The Intex Recreational Corp. has been in the business of swimming pool recreation supplies for over 40 years. Anything having to do with water fun and sports can be had through Intex.
Intex makes terrific inflatable pool products, swimming gear, water toys, floating mats, and other fun accessories. In addition, they are well known for superior quality swimming pool pumps and sport a large array of pumps for every need your pool may have.

In conclusion

The first step to swimming pool pump efficiency is to match the pump with the pool needs. Next is to setup the timer, regulator or other efficiency features to achieve the lowest possible power consumption while still getting the job done.

Dave Marx wrote Swimming pool pump overview for http://www.Pump-And-Filter.com - The world wide resource and database reference guide material for industrial and residential use pumps and filters.
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