Proven Ways To Have an Energy Efficient Swimming Pool

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Home Page > Home Improvement > Proven Ways To Have an Energy Efficient Swimming Pool

Proven Ways To Have an Energy Efficient Swimming Pool

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Posted: Aug 21, 2009 |Comments: 0

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Proven Ways To Have an Energy Efficient Swimming Pool

By: Trey Collier

About the Author

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCityPools.com – North America’s finest resource for quality pool supplies, including a wide selection of energy saving Solar Pool Covers, Solar Pool Heaters, Pool Filter Timers, and Pool Pumps.

(ArticlesBase SC #1145779)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/Proven Ways To Have an Energy Efficient Swimming Pool





“Going Green” means learning techniques and engaging in practices that translate into more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible results. Going Green helps protect the environment and maintains its natural resources for current and future generations. Many people would agree that caring for the environment is our responsibility as consumers of it. When it comes to owning a backyard swimming pool, it is very possible to to reduce the amount of energy lost so that we can be environmentally responsible while, at the same time, enjoying the luxury of swimming and entertaining at home.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, backyard swimming pools lose energy in a number of ways, but evaporation is the most significant source of energy loss. In fact, 70% of energy loss in swimming pools can be attributed to evaporation. Evaporating water requires tremendous amounts of energy. It only takes 1 BTU (British Thermal Unit) to increase the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree, but each pound of 80ºF water that evaporates takes an enormous 1,048 BTUs of heat out of the pool.

The evaporation rate from a backyard pool depends on the pool’s temperature, on air temperature and humidity, and on the wind speed at the pool’s surface. The higher the temperature of the pool, the higher the wind speed, and the lower the humidity, the greater the rate of evaporation. If you live in a windy area, you should install a wind barrier like strategically planted trees, or a tall fence, evaporation. The windbreak should be high enough and near enough to the pool so that it doesn’t create turbulence over the pool, which will increase evaporation. You also don’t want the windbreak to block the sun from the pool; the sun helps to heat the pool and keeps it warm over time.

Creating an environmentally friendly swimming pool is achievable, important and simple to do. First, use Solar Covers, also known as solar blankets, to cover your pool. Solar Pool Covers or Blankets resemble enormous sheets of bubble wrap. The bubbles trap heat from the sun and convey the heat to the pool, keeping the water temperature warm and comfortable. The solar cover also helps to trap the water’s heat and prevents heat loss in the cooler air at night or on cooler days. Solar covers float freely on top of a pool without the need for tie-downs or anchors to secure them. Solar covers are usually folded and stored or rolled up in a large roll and wheeled out of the way. Solar Blankets are perfect for use in sunny climates because the more heat they can trap, the longer they can extend the swim season. Solar pool covers can increase water temperatures by as much as 10-15 degrees.

Besides offering energy savings, pool covers also do the following:

Save water by decreasing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%–50%;  Reduce the pool’s consumption of chemicals by 35%–60%;  Reduce cleaning time by preventing dirt and other debris from entering the pool.

 

A second way to create an energy efficient pool is to use a Solar Pool Heater. Solar heaters provide another way of taking advantage of the sun’s free energy. Solar Heaters provide an economical, durable, efficient solution. When combined with a solar pool cover, a Solar Pool Heater extends the swimming season significantly well into the cooler months.

Most solar pool heating systems include the following elements:

A solar collector — pool water is circulated through this device so that it can be heated by the sun;  A filter — debris is removed in the filter before water is pumped through the collector;  A pump — pool water is circulated through the filter and collector and back to the pool thanks to the pump;  A flow control valve — pool water is diverted through the solar collector through this automatic or manual device.

 

A third way to save energy is to use a Pool Filter Timer. Automating a pool’s filter operation pays for itself in energy savings within the first couple of months. Except during times of heavy use, most swimming pools only need to filter 12 hours per day. Pool Filter Timers can save you money on electricity and chemicals. Most Pool Filter Timers efficient, durable and weather resistant, and have as many as 50 settings to provide the pool owner with complete control and many options.

The fourth way to “go green” with your pool is is is to use a Pool Pump. You can conserve energy and sustain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less frequently. In a study of 120 pools by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic University, some pool owners saved as much as 75% of their original pumping bill when they used these energy conservation measures.

In summary, there are numerous options and ways to “Go Green” while we still enjoy relaxing by the pool with family and friends. Being environmentally friendly doesn’t mean giving up our beloved pools, it just means taking a little more time to do our part to make them even better for our environment and for those around us.

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(ArticlesBase SC #1145779)

Trey Collier -
About the Author:

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCityPools.com – North America’s finest resource for quality pool supplies, including a wide selection of energy saving Solar Pool Covers, Solar Pool Heaters, Pool Filter Timers, and Pool Pumps.

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swimming pool, energy efficiency, solar pool covers, solar blankets, solar pool heaters, pool filter timer, pool pumps

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Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCityPools.com – North America?s finest resource for quality pool supplies, including a wide selection of energy saving Solar Pool Covers, Solar Pool Heaters, Pool Filter Timers, and Pool Pumps.

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10 Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

1/ Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficient windows are extremely effective at saving energy around the home. They are manufactured in grades ranging from A-G, with A being the most energy efficient.

The windows help to keep heat in and the cold out, using reflective and insulating materials. However, due to the high levels of technology, they also help to keep the home from becoming too hot during the summer as well.

If you can’t afford energy efficient windows, double glazing is a definite for those who currently do not have it installed.

2/ Insulated Roofing

Hot air rises. The roof is possibly one of the oldest features of any house and often gets overlooked. If the roof is not properly insulated a lot of warm air could be escaping.

Effective insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in winter or into the house in summer, so less energy is required to heat or cool the house.

3/ Turn the Heater Down

After receiving insulation and energy efficient windows, a lot of people keep the heater at the same level out of habit and get used to the cosy feel that the warmer temperature offers. However, it is then negating the point of having them installed. So be sure to keep your heater at a reasonable level.

4/ Turn Off Rather Than Standby

There are countless devices in the home that can turn to standby. Many off us have got in to the habit of pressing that red button on our television to turn it “off”, or to let our computers just standby, this is costing money – whilst not vast amounts, it all adds up!

There are now plug adaptors available which can be turned off using a remote control, so no longer do you have to get up and turn it off manually (which can be a tough habit to get in to), but you can fully turn off the power with one click.

5/ Replacement Furnace

If your furnace was built before 1992 and has a standing pilot, it wastes approximately 35 percent of the fuel it uses, and it is probably near the end of its service life. Obviously this is a big waste of energy and could be worth looking in to a replacement.

6/ Water Efficiency

Insulate hot water lines, which will help them from cooling so quickly, meaning less time spent heating the water.

Another point is to add a blanket over the heater itself. If it’s a fairly old heater it may be losing some heat, so an extra layer of insulation is easily added and may help to keep it warm.

7/ Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

They make take a few seconds to warm up, but they save a fair amount when it comes to energy bills. The bulbs are a fantastic invention and are arguably more aesthetically pleasing as well.

One of the main types of bulbs are halogen bulbs. These contain a halogen gas, which emits a bright white light. They emit a greater degree of light than standard light bulbs of a similar wattage and use less electricity, because of this they have a longer burn time.

8/ Filling Any Holes

Especially externally there may be very small areas where holes have been drilled to thread through cables and wires. They are very easy to seal by going to your local home improvement shop and buying some sealant. Simple, yet you’ll be surprised at how much warmer your house can feel afterwards. It will also help to keep insects from getting in as well.

9/ Energy Assessment

It can be difficult to comprehend where you are going wrong with your homes energy efficiency. Energy Auditors can come in and assess the energy efficiency of your home and advise where to improve. If your home is fairly old, this can be a fantastic resource.

10/ Move

A very drastic and last measure, but if your home is beyond repair, would cost to much to fix and the lack of energy efficiency is driving you crazy, it may be worth packing up and moving on.

Conservatory Outlet | Leading Suppliers of Conservatories and Double Glazing throughout the UK.

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Eat Your Energy Efficiency Vegetables Before Indulging in a Solar Powered Dessert: Five Ways to Save Energy

“In the nation’s pursuit of energy affordability, climate change mitigation, and energy security, energy efficiency stands out as perhaps the single most promising resource.” — Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy, McKinsey and Company, September, 2009.

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. The problem is, while both business and residential energy efficiency can be major ways to save energy, money, and the planet, it is, just, well, a little boring. RENEWABLE ENERGY gets all the attention, and to be sure, solar, wind, geothermal and tidal power are all exciting ways to save energy, prospects that in the long run will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and unstable foreign power.

But long before these technologies reach a price point that is appealing to most Americans, we can harness the power of improving business and residential energy efficiency to take small, sustainable steps towards a healthier planet, which is why we’ve come up with five simple and inexpensive ways to save energy and money by using less electricity around the home and office.

Five Ways to Save Energy

1) Your PC likes breaks too — Ok, quick! Put your computer to sleep (cue the Jeopardy theme). If it took you more than three seconds, you’re working too hard. One of the easiest ways to save energy is with an ecobutton(TM). It’s ridiculously easy to use, impossible to ignore on your desk, and its software reports your dollar and CO2 savings every time you use it, which feeds your green conscience.

2) Light only the page — Do you read books in bed before you go to sleep? We do. But we get all the light we need using an LED-illuminated Lightwedge(R). And we never feel guilty about our residential energy efficiency levels if we fall asleep with the Lightwedge(R) still on.

3) Slay the vampire — When you switch off your big screen TV, you’re not getting the big picture. Because we are an impatient society, our electronic devices use energy even when turned off, just on the chance you might show up. This standby, aka “vampire” power, is nearly equal to the amount the device sucks while in use. Get a smart strip to improve residential energy efficiency and stop Dracula in his tracks.

4) Dim your lamps — We’re cheating a little. Using less light is more about conservation than residential energy efficiency, but there are times when less is okay. Not many stand-alone lamps have dimmer switches, one of the best ways to save energy. We’ve got an app for that however — a lamp-friendly dimmer. And for an energy-efficient alternative to an incandescent, consider a fully compatible, dimmable, energy saving bulb.

5) Greenlight your world — There is a direct relationship between enthusiasm for business and residential energy efficiency and the value gained from making the effort. Consider 23-watt eco-friendly light bulbs that have it all:

flattering, warm white light 100% post-consumer waste packaging, 76% more energy efficient than an equivalent 100 watt traditional incandescent bulb, 7 year guarantee, and 10 month pay back if turned on just two hours per day (1).


High Hopes for the Future of Business and Residential Energy Efficiency

We have high hopes for renewable energy and are following every development when it comes to ways to save energy. But for now, because the cheapest, cleanest kilowatt of electricity is the one that’s never used in the first place, we think McKinsey & Company is on to something.

We hope our simple business and residential energy efficiency ideas for living more lightly will inspire you to take action and to dream up your own to help save the only planet we’ll ever call home.

Works Cited

1. Based on a national average retail electricity price of 11.47 cents per kilowatt hour. Source: Energy Information Administration.

Peter Ellinwood is the founder and owner of GreenPoma, an online retailer of hard-to-find, best-in-breed, environmentally-friendly lighting options. During the 25 years he spent in the insurance industry in Boston, Baltimore, and Annapolis, he acquired an extensive background in product management and marketing, but decided to use this knowledge for a greater purpose – selling energy-efficient light bulb, LED, halogen, and CFL products along with great advice. To make a purchase or learn more about going green, please visit www.greenpoma.com.

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3 Ways to Generate Free Electricity at Home

Rising taxes, rising gas prices, and rising electricity costs has put many of us in a bind.  If you are like me, you have been looking for ways to save money in these areas.  One way I found to save money was to have the ability to reduce or eliminate my electrical utility bill by making my own energy at home.

I started to investigate how I could do this, and I learned about three ways I could generate electricity at home.  Here I will explain these methods.

First method is to make your own solar panels.  Solar is a viable energy producing alternative, but it has its own problems for home use.  These panels will only work in direct sunlight, which on average is only about four hours per day.  They won’t generate electricity when it is cloudy, foggy, or at night.  Also, there is a potential hazard of a panel fire, if the panel electrical connections are not made one hundred percent perfect.  The fire risk alone did it for me and I ditched the solar idea for good.

Another method of making free electricity is using a home-made wind turbine.  While at first this seems like a good idea, it has it’s own set of disadvantages.  Firstly, you need to live in an area that has steady and predictable atmospheric winds.  Since I don’t live in an are like this wind power was not a feasible idea.  The other thing to consider is that these wind turbines can be dangerous as well.  If the blades are not attached perfectly to the rotor they can easily shear off in high wind conditions.  I didn’t like the idea of a blade flying across the neighborhood and hurting someone or damaging a neighbor’s property.

Lastly, I stumbled upon magnetic power generation for home use.  These devices are simple, safe, efficient, and reliable.  You can make a magnetic generator at home using tools you already have and parts from a hardware store.  Depending upon the size of the system you build, you can either supplement or eliminate your monthly power needs.  You are then essentially your own power company and you will save a lot of money this way.

You can make all the free energy you want with a home magnetic power generator.

Now you can generate free electricity with a simple and easy to use guide for making a magnetic power generator at home.

To learn more watch this video by following this link == > http://generating-electricity-at-home.canemanim.com

Elijiah Rampart is an internet researcher on generating electricity at home. He is particularly interested in magnetic power generators for home use to save money on electricity bills. Find out more information on how you can start saving money by making electricity at home, go to http://generating-electricity-at-home.canemanim.com

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Ways to Build a Wind Generator

When it comes to wind generators, you will have two options. Either you build pre-made generators or you can build your own. It can appear hard to do but you can actually build your own windmill easier than what you have imagined. It can also bring your family together in this project where you can enjoy it. If you want to have an eco-friendly home, this can be a great way for you to start by doing it yourself.

 It is necessary that you have the basic supplies for you to be able to build your own power generators. You can find everything you need at a local hardware and it will only cost you a little in total. Below is the list of things that you will need.

Steel piping or tubing Bolts and nuts Hub (This is used to connect the blades) And among other inexpensive things that you can find in your local hardware 

One awesome thing about making your own wind generator is that you can actually utilize recycled parts in order to build it. Your local recycle center may have some scrap materials that are either metal or steel tubes that you can use in this particular project. Not only will you be able to save a lot of money but you are also helping the environment clean.

Before you start building, it is necessary that you plan ahead of time. You will need a guide that contains a great deal of information and easy to follow directions and instructions. In order to make an excellent power generator, you need to follow the steps accordingly. Admit it to yourself that even if you decided to do things on your own, you will still need guidance and you can only get that through the guides that are available. In order for you to save so much later on, you need to build an efficient sturdy wind generator because your end goal is actually to produce power that you can use to supply your home. For a detailed instructions check out, HOme Build Wind Generator site

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Finding Ways To Make You Home More Energy Efficient

So you want to go green part one / part two.

From energy efficient light bulbs to heaters almost anything you have in your house can be made to save more electricity. Depending on your personal budget and goals there are various options that might work for your going green needs.

Your kitchen is the largest energy resource of your house. If your goal is to remodel than one of the best tips to offer is when shopping for new kitchen appliances make sure you pick energy star rated appliances. This will really help cut down that big black hole of wasted energy you call your kitchen.

Other products you might look at would be solar tubs to bring in the natural light for outside. The newer solar tubs can replace conventional light fixtures and still have a light bulb inside for night hours. This can be a do-it-yourself project that can be done over the weekend if you have a few similar tools.  If your budget is smaller and little changes are what you’re looking for then consider changing out you light bulbs to florescent. They might be a bit more money at first but they will last longer as well as save money. Add in light dimmers and it will save you even more, plus give your home a warmer feel. I personally installed a few light dimmers in my house a few months ago and I love how it gives everything a soft feel. I can’t imagine living without them. 

Heating a cooling of your home can be the largest monthly expense you have. If you have the money in your budget you might consider changing to an energy star rated heating and cooling system, but this can get costly depending on your needs. Geothermal systems can run over 30,000 dollars and are better for new construction not remolding. Inexpensive fixes could be installing on demand water heaters so you don’t keep your water heater running all day.  Electronic programmable thermostats are another cheap way to save money and can be installed by you with a bit of knowledge. If you’re remolding take a look at installing radiant heating for the floor as well as insulations that is environmentally friendly.

I hope the simple tips will help you in your goal to go green. Please feel free to add any tips and advice you have below.

By Neal Drake at Let’s go green

By Neal Drake at http://www.going-green-made-easy.blogspot.com/

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