Let's start with the filter pumps. A pool filter pump is often one of the largest users of electrical energy at a home. So, save yourself money and energy by reducing the operating time of the filter pump. How do you do that? Well, that will depend on your pool; time requirements for pool filtering vary from home to home due to differences in pool volume and equipment, the amount of use and environmental factors. As a general rule, one complete water turnover every 24 hours will provide adequate filtering for a non-solar, single family residential swimming pool. So, determine how much volume in gallons of water your pool holds, and how long your pump takes to filter that many gallons. After you have determined the number of filtering hours required for your pool, compare that figure with the actual filtering time shown on your filter pump time clock. If you are operating the filter pump more hours than necessary, can save energy and money by resetting the filter pump time clock tripper devices to the reduced hours of operation.

By reducing the filter operating time to about 4 to 5 hours per day in the summer and 2 to 3 hours in winter, you will reduce annual electrical consumption by 40 to 50 percent. However, you want to ensure that the water in your pool stays properly filtered, so if this reduced time does not provide adequate filtration, add half hour increments until desired clarity is obtained.

Also, you can help reduce the demand for electricity by operating your pool pump during off-peak hours. This can really help you in the long run. How can running your pump in off peak hours help? Well, since the demand for electricity is highest from late morning through early evening, by not operating your filter pump during these hours, you can help reduce the demand on the Department's electrical system; which may delay the need for new power plants and help keep future rates low, benefiting everyone. In some places, if you do not operate during peak hours you may even have a lower electric bill.

The next thing you can do for swimming pool energy conservation is install a time clock. A time clock is a necessity in giving you day-to-day, automatic control over the time-of-use of the filter pump. Good pool energy management includes checking the time clock every month of so to determine that the trippers are set correctly and that they are securely in place.

The next thing you can do in swimming pool energy conservation is to follow a regular schedule of preventive maintenance for your pool pump and filter. You should regularly backwash or clean the filter to ensure that you obtain maximum efficiency. Also you can get even greater efficiency if you remove materials from the strainer baskets in the pump and skimmer regularly.

If you use automatic pool cleaners, usually 3 to 4 hours of daily operation during the summer and 2 to 3 hours daily in the winter are sufficient. You ought to start the pool sweep 15 minutes or more after the filter pump is running and stop the sweep 15 or more minutes before the filter pump.

Another great form of swimming pool energy conservation is to turn off or reduce the use of decorative lighting in and around pool areas when you are not using the pool.

Last but not least, one of the best forms of swimming pool energy conservation is in pool heating. You should maintain a 78°F or lower temperature. For pools that are only used on the weekend water temperature should be reduced by 8 to 10 degrees during the week. The thermostat should be reset to the 78°F level before use. Also, only heat the pool during the summer swimming season. And help your pool maintain it's heat by sheltering it where possible from the prevailing winds by using well trimmed hedges or other landscaping, fences, etc.

Energy is not the only thing you should consider conserving. Water conservation is important as well, especially in areas of low rainfall or drought. One of the best ways to conserve pool water is to install an evaporative pool cover and keep your pool covered whenever it is not is use. This can save hundreds of gallons of water a month simply by preventing evaporation. The cover can also reduce heating bills by preventing night heat loss and will save on chemicals too.

Other things to conserve pool water is to:

1. reduce splashing. Ask your swimmers to prevent splashing on decking and lawns.
2. plug the overflow line when the pool is in use.
3. backwash less frequently, most people backwash more frequently than necessary and this wastes water. Some pool filters do not have to be backwashed at all; they can be taken apart and cleaned, even though this process is less convenient.
4. Use a broom not a hose when cleaning around the pool.