Your pool is a great source of entertainment and exercise, but it also represents a significant source of maintenance and requires a large amount of energy to stay both clean and heated for optimal use. Understanding some of the most common things that you can do to improve the overall efficiency of your pool's systems can help you save money each month on your associated energy costs.

Use a Pool Cover

A pool cover is a great way to boost the energy efficiency of your pool. A cover will prevent the heat in the water from dissipating, and will also reduce the load on your filter since less debris will be able to enter the water. Another added benefit of using a pool cover when the pool is not in use is that it will prevent the water from evaporating, which means that you will have to fill up the pool less often. For even more added efficiency, look for a solar pool cover. These pool covers make use of a variety of mechanisms to effectively act as a magnifying glass, concentrating the sun's rays to heat up the water in your pool even while it is not in use, reducing the load on your water heater. 

Variable Speed Pumps

Variable speed pumps are exactly what they sound like: they have multiple speeds that can be adjusted to pump water through the filter at a slower rate when the pool is not being regularly used, and can be adjusted to a higher setting when you need to have the pool's water properly cleaned. Variable speed pumps are sometimes referred to as high efficiency pumps. Installing a variable speed pump can translate into energy savings since your pump is not always operating at its peak effectiveness. Look for models that can be programmed with specific settings for certain days and times for low-maintenance energy savings.

Darker Finishes

Another simple way to improve the overall efficiency of your heated pool, albeit one that comes with a bit of an initial investment, is to have the finish of your pool changed to a darker color. This darker shade will absorb a greater amount of sunlight, which will transfer more ambient heat into the water of your pool and means that your heater will have to work for shorter periods of time to maintain a certain temperature – driving down your energy costs each month.

Contact a pool maintenance service for more help.