Results for "energy efficiency"

Maintenance Easy 15 minutes 399 👍 1

When Are Pools Open in Las Vegas? Year-Round Pool Season

My Vegas hotel's pool is supposedly "closed for winter" but I'm literally watching guests splash around in 70-degree weather right now. Do most hotels and resorts close pools during winter months like other places? Or does the desert climate keep them running all year?

Looking at both resort pools and maybe some residential options. Want to know if there's a specific season or if it's pretty much always pool weather out there.…more

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Pump Problems Medium Professional installation required 281 👍 0

Can You Run a Pool Pump on Extension Cord? Safety Guide

After planning our pool party for this Saturday, I discovered my pump outlet is nowhere near the pool equipment pad and I'm scrambling for solutions. The pool store wants me to hire an electrician to install a dedicated circuit for my new pump, but they're quoting me over $800 just for the electrical work. That's on top of what I already spent on the pump itself!

Can I just run a heavy-duty extension cord from my garage outlet to save some money? I've got a 12-gauge outdoor cord that should handle the load. I'm trying to avoid another expensive "professional installation" if I can help it - seems like everything pool-related has to be done by a specialist these days.…more

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Filters Medium 30 minutes 161 👍 0

How Long to Run Pool Filter Daily - Complete Guide

Every pool season I feel like an idiot asking this, but I genuinely have no idea how many hours my filter should actually be running daily. My kids swim almost every day during summer, and I want to make sure the water stays clean and safe for them. I've heard different opinions - some neighbors say they run theirs 24/7, while others only run it a few hours.

I'm worried about under-filtering and having bacteria or algae grow, but I also don't want to waste electricity if it's not necessary. Our pool gets heavy use with the kids and their friends, plus we've had some really hot weather lately. What's the right balance for daily filter runtime to keep the water properly clean?…more

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Product Ranking 10 compared

Best Pool Water Test Kits

4.6 (45,200 reviews)

Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 160 👍 0

Does Salt Pool Need CYA? Stabilizer Requirements for SWG

Around year 8 with my salt water generator and it's still running strong, but the pool store keeps pushing cyanuric acid — necessary or just a sales pitch? I thought the whole point of switching to salt was to avoid constantly buying chemicals!

My salt water generator seems to be working fine making chlorine, so do I actually need this CYA stuff? And if so, what levels should I be targeting - same as regular chlorine pools or different? Looking to understand what's truly necessary vs what's just another upsell.…more

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Pump Problems Medium 30 minutes 155 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Skimmer? Safe Solutions

Every pool owner seems to swear by replacement skimmer baskets, but I'm wondering if I'm about to waste money on this cracked assembly replacement? I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool with both a main drain and skimmer line feeding into the pump. The skimmer is currently letting air into the system and causing the pump to lose prime intermittently.

I'm wondering if I can temporarily close off the skimmer line completely and just run the pump using suction from the main drain until I can fix the skimmer properly. Will this provide adequate circulation for my pool size, and are there any risks I should be aware of? I'm concerned about whether the main drain alone can handle all the filtration needs and if this might cause any damage to my pump or affect water quality during this temporary period.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 30 minutes 153 👍 0

Do I Need to Run My Pool Pump All the Time? Runtime Guide

Three neighbors gave me three different pump runtime schedules and I'm ready to figure out the right one myself — just need to know where to start. My neighbor says he runs his 24/7 but that seems excessive (and expensive!). I've heard different things - some people say 8 hours is enough, others say you need way more.

What's the sweet spot for daily pump runtime? I want to make sure my water stays clean and properly filtered without running up a crazy electric bill. Does it depend on how much the pool gets used or other factors?…more

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Pump Problems Easy 5 minutes 145 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump With Solar Cover On? Safety Guide

After getting slapped with a $200 "improper equipment usage" charge from my pool guy, I'm second-guessing whether I can safely run my pump with the solar cover on. I bought a solar cover to help keep the water warm, but I'm not sure about the pump situation. The pool store told me to run my pump daily for circulation, but they didn't mention anything about what to do when the cover is on.

Is it safe to run the pump while the solar cover is covering the pool? I don't want to damage anything or mess up the water chemistry since I'm still learning. Any guidance would be really appreciated!…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 142 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump With Cover On? Safety & Efficiency

Between my morning coffee run and checking the backyard, I spotted my pool pump still humming away with yesterday's cover locked on tight. My primary concerns are maintaining adequate ventilation around the pump housing and ensuring optimal energy efficiency during covered operation periods.

Are there specific operational guidelines I should follow for different cover types (solar, safety, winter covers)? I want to verify that continuous pump operation won't create any mechanical stress or ventilation issues that could compromise system performance or safety parameters.…more

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Heaters Medium 15 minutes reading 141 👍 0

Pool Heater Lifespan in Florida: How Long They Last

Turned on my pool heater this morning and noticed those same rust spots on my 8-year-old unit are definitely getting worse. With three young kids who love to swim year-round, having consistently warm water is important for their comfort and safety.

I've been looking at both gas heaters and electric heat pump options, but I'm concerned about how Florida's climate might affect their lifespan. The humidity here is intense, and we're close enough to the coast that salt air is definitely a factor. Should I expect to replace the heater more frequently than if we lived somewhere with milder weather? I want to budget appropriately and ensure we always have reliable heating for safe, comfortable swimming conditions.…more

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Pool Covers Medium 30 minutes 140 👍 0

How Long Do Automatic Pool Covers Last? Expert Analysis

Every summer when temps hit 85°F my automatic pool cover starts jamming halfway across my 16x32 rectangular pool — works perfectly all winter long. My pool is rectangular, about 16x32 feet, and I'm handy with tools so I'm planning to do the installation myself. I've been researching different brands and materials, but I can't find consistent information about how many years these systems typically last before needing major repairs or replacement. I want to factor in the long-term costs - not just the upfront purchase price. Are there specific components that wear out faster than others? I'd also like to know if there are maintenance tasks I can do myself to extend the lifespan.…more

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Heaters Medium 45 minutes 138 👍 0

How Solar Pool Heaters Work: Diagnosis & Troubleshooting

According to what I spotted this morning, my solar heater panels are just sitting there doing absolutely nothing while every "expert" keeps pushing gas systems instead. They keep pushing these pricey gas heaters and telling me solar is "complicated" - probably because there's less markup for them.

I want to understand the actual process of how solar pool heaters function before I make any decisions. Do they really just use the sun's energy somehow? I'm hoping to find a more cost-effective heating solution and maybe even explore some DIY options instead of getting ripped off again.…more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Chemical Starter Kits

4.5 (18,700 reviews)

Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 138 👍 0

Do Variable Speed Pool Pumps Last Longer? Expert Analysis

Noticed this is the third pool pump that's died on me in five years and I'm done guessing whether upgrading to variable speed will actually give me better longevity. While the upfront investment is significantly higher than single speed units, I need to understand the actual lifespan differences between these pump types to calculate true ROI.

Specifically, I'm looking for data on operational longevity - how many years can I realistically expect from a variable speed pump compared to a traditional single speed unit? Are there mechanical advantages to variable speed operation that translate to extended equipment life, or is this primarily marketing?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 15 minutes reading 136 👍 0

How Variable Speed Pool Pumps Work - Complete Guide

Woke up to another $400 electric bill after replacing my pool filter, cleaning the skimmer baskets, checking all the connections — my single-speed pump is still draining my wallet on this 20,000-gallon inground pool. My utility bills have been astronomical running the pump 8-10 hours daily, and I'm trying to understand exactly how these newer pumps achieve such significant energy savings.

Specifically, I'd like to know what type of motor technology variable speed pumps use and how they're able to adjust their speed so precisely. My current pump seems to be either on full blast or off completely. What's the RPM range these variable speed units can operate in, and how does that translate to better flow control and lower energy costs? I want to make sure I understand the technology before investing in what seems like a more expensive upfront purchase.…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 134 👍 0

Can I Leave My Pool Filter On All The Time? Expert Guide

About to run my pool filter 24/7 this summer — but would constant operation void my equipment warranty or cause any coverage issues? Currently I'm running my filter system about 6 hours per day, but I've been dealing with some water clarity issues despite maintaining proper chlorine levels (2.5 ppm) and balanced pH (7.4). My pool gets heavy use from my family and I've noticed the water looks a bit cloudy by evening even after shocking.

I'm wondering if I should just leave the filter running continuously to help with circulation and keep the water crystal clear, or if there's a sweet spot for daily runtime that balances effectiveness with energy costs. The pool is in full sun most of the day and we're in a fairly warm climate, so I want to make sure I'm getting adequate turnover without unnecessarily driving up my electric bill.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes to set up winter schedule 132 👍 0

Should You Run Your Pool Pump in Winter? Complete Guide

Pulled the cover off my pool this winter and realized I have absolutely no clue whether I'm supposed to keep this pump running or not. The pool store told me I still need to run the pump during winter, but they didn't really explain how long or when.

I live in an area where it gets cold but doesn't freeze every day. Do I need to run it the same 8 hours I've been doing all summer? And what happens if we do get a freeze - should I do anything different? I really don't want to mess up the equipment since I'm still learning all this stuff.…more

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