With Australian Energy Market Commission figures showing electricity prices rose 10.2 per cent in NSW last year, pool industry experts say pool owners should switch to energy efficient pumps and cleaners sooner rather than later.
Poolwerx founder and CEO, John O’Brien said switching your existing single-speed pump to a multi-speed or variable-speed pool pump could save you up to $750 a year.
“According to the government’s Your Energy Savings website, maintaining an in-ground pool can account for up to 30 per cent of a household's energy bills and a pool pump can be the largest user of electricity in a home,” he said.
“Changing your old pool pump to a newer more energy efficient one is the single most effective way you can reduce the amount of electricity your pool is guzzling.”
A recent report prepared for the Department of Environment and Energy on pool pumps found that over half of the pool owners surveyed still had a single-speed pump and that the main factor in the decision process for those buying a new pump is the upfront cost of the unit.
“However, pool owners should be aware that the upfront cost of a swimming pool pump represents only around 20 per cent of the total expenditure on an average pump, with the ongoing electricity costs representing the other 80 percent,” he said.
“It therefore makes sense to switch to an energy efficient pump and consider connecting the pump to a controlled load/economy electricity tariff if it is available and cost effective to convert.”
Pool cleaners are another piece of pool equipment that vary markedly between models and their energy efficiency capability. Pool + Spa Review has reported that it costs as little as $59 a year to run a robotic pool cleaner, compared with $503 for a suction cleaner and almost $900 for a booster pump cleaner.
Mr O’Brien said pool owners should consider investing in a robotic pool cleaner, as the initial outlay is quickly returned due to the substantial cost savings compared with a suction or booster pump cleaner.
“Robotic pool cleaners clean pools faster and more effectively than a suction cleaner and can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times.”
Mr O’Brien said pool owners should be aware that other pool equipment like heating units also added to household electricity bills.
“A solar water heater pump, which costs between $0.18 and $0.26 per hour to run, is much more cost-effective than a gas water heater, which can cost you between $4 and $17 per hour, according to the South Australian Government’s Energy Advisory Service,” he said.
“Installing a pool cover is another effective way to reduce both your water and electricity costs, as evaporation removes heating energy from your pool and can account for up to 70 per cent energy loss.”
Mr O’Brien said pool owners should get advice from an expert before making changes.