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Cindy Parker

Swimming pools are a wonderful luxury, but they’re always hungry for attention. Whether it is cleaning, chemical control, water level or temperature conditioning – there is always something that needs to be done. Indoor, outdoor, above ground or built in – pools can provide fun, exercise and relaxation. One thing all pools have in common is that they can be “energy hogs” to operate.

The single largest factor for energy consumption in indoor and outdoor swimming pools is evaporation. Studies reported by the U.S. Department of Energy indicate that up to 70 percent of the total energy cost for operating swimming pools is due to evaporation.

Pool covers reduce heat loss, reduce the amount of “make-up” water required, reduce chemical consumption and for outdoor pools, reduce cleaning time by keeping leaves and dirt out of the water.

The evaporation rate for a pool varies depending on the pool water temperature, the surrounding air temperature and relative humidity, and the wind speed in the area. For outdoor pools, a light breeze of 7 miles per hour can triple the evaporation rate. For indoor pools, the moisture evaporating from the water surface is trapped inside the room. Pool room ventilation, temperature and humidity control must be maintained prevent mold and rot.

Granted, there may be a little effort involved in putting the pool cover on and taking it off – but it really shouldn’t preclude undertaking the task. In addition to folding covers (usually for small pools) there are manual roll-up covers, semi-automatic (motorized roll-up) covers and push-button automatic pool covers available.

For outdoor pools, it is important to use covers that are transparent. Although a transparent cover may reduce the solar absorption by an average of 10 percent, a completely opaque pool cover will reduce the solar gain by up to 40 percent.

Programmable temperature control and pump timing are also key factors for energy savings in pool operation. For large school, club and municipal swimming pools, lowering the temperature by just 3 or 4 degrees will result in noticeable savings. (No – it doesn’t take more energy to heat it back up!) For any pool that is not covered, the higher the water temperature and the cooler the room – the rate of evaporation is further increased. If it seems as though there’s a warm “fog” above the surface of the pool – it’s the money you’re burning.

Saving water, saving chemicals, saving energy costs – these are great reasons for sizing up your pool for a cover. The “icing on the cake” that should get this project moving now? How about a rebate from Consumer’s Energy for 50 cents per square foot on the size of your pool cover?

If you don’t have a cover for your pool, get one.

If you do have a pool cover, use it. If it takes an extra half hour of labor a day to cover and uncover, it will be well worth the cost of the labor.