Environment and Energy Saving Tips
by steve merillat1. High Efficiency Heaters. If you plan to purchase a conventional pool heating system, shop around for a high efficiency pool heater. High efficiency gas heating systems are available with steady state efficiencies as high as 97%. Electric heat pump pool heaters are also available with coefficients of performance (COPs) in the 6.0-8.0 range when operated in warm weather. A COP of 6.0 is 600% more efficient than an electric resistance heater.
2. Efficient Pumps/Motors Using properly sized energy-efficient pumps and motors when replacing older pumps and motors, or when designing new pools, can significantly lower the electrical consumption of pool operating costs. Motors use many times their initial cost in electrical consumption over their life and can often consume several times their cost in the first year alone. The energy savings from an energy efficient motor can pay for itself in a very short time.
3. Efficient Lighting Replace inefficient incandescent lamps with high efficiency compact fluorescents. They consume 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of electricity and last 10 times as long as standard incandescent lamps. Replace standard fluorescent ballasts and lamps with electronic ballasts and T-8 lamps. They will reduce consumption by 30%. The initial cost of energy efficient lighting is more, but the combination of the energy savings and labor savings on replacement will far offset that initial cost in most cases where lights are on for several hours per day or night.
Outdoor areas can be lit with high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. They offer high efficiency and high output. Install motion detectors in areas like shower/dressing areas and rest rooms or on security lighting. They will not only save energy, but will startle would-be intruders.
S.Merillat(r)
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