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Solar Environmental Pumps

Enjoying your pool with the family during summer is something that we often take for granted. It's only when we add up the cost of running it, do we wonder if it was worth while. However, there are simple effective ways to cut your pool costs. By reducing the pools evaporation rate, the pool heating costs and pool pumping costs, you will be well on the way to have a cost free pool. At the very least, you will have a pool that has much lower environmental impact.

The big advantages in looking at a Solar Powered Pool Pump is that they really cut the power use of your pool. A pool pump runs on DC power from from a nearby solar panel. If the pump does not have a backup battery system (which adds to setup costs) it can be connected to your grid power supply for a "no-sun" backup. The same applies for nighttime pool use - if you need to run the pump at night, then connection to the homes AC supply is recommended.

When cost cutting, look for efficiencies. By using a pool cover, you can cut pool evaporation and lower any heating bills. By lowering your evaporation rate, you also cut your chemical use. Similarly, reducing the flow rate through your pump will cut the power it needs to draw even if it is not a "solar pump". These efficiencies, not only cut costs but reduce your environmental impact.

If you already have a pool, a retrofit may not allow you to make all the efficiencies that you could get in a new installation. However, even a retrofit can lead to significant savings. For instance, by cutting the amount of water you push through your pump (flow rate), the power the pump draws is significantly reduced. Even a relatively small cut in flow rate means the pump draws a far lower power. A 25% cut in flow means the back pressure on the pump will be reduced to about 50%, and that means both less power usage and a saving on the pumps lifespan. Over the pool season, by simply cutting pump flow can really save money even if you do not install a solar pump. However, with a solar pool pump you can reduce that cost to zero.

Since a solar pool pump system runs on DC power, the power it draws is much less than an AC system. That means that the power it needs can easily be supplied by a small solar panel. Where you may need a typical 1.5HP AC pump, you would only need a 0.75HP (DC) pump.

Depending on your pool pumping installation, a solar pool pump system can payoff in a few short years (typically about 4 years). After that, your power costs are basically zero unless you use backup power. Any backup power usage is usually quite short compared to full daytime pump use and any additional grid power usage is quite small in comparison.

The biggest costs in running a pool are pumping, heating and cleaning - much of which can be significantly cut by simply getting efficient, and using solar energy solutions. Giving your pool a solar make-over with a solar pool heater and using a solar pump will not only save you money but reduce your environmental footprint. Learn more about solar powered pool pumps, environmental pumps and other solar powered pool accessories.