Saving money is something most of us like to do. Are there things you can do around your home that don’t involve sweeping changes in order to save money? Indeed, there are, and we have suggestions on how to save money around your swimming pool and in your home. These small steps can add up and help you and your family keep more money in your pocket.
Let’s get started with a few ways to save around your swimming pool.
- Use a pool cover – A pool cover is a relatively small investment that can potentially pay for itself many times over in reduced energy costs. By slowing down the rate of evaporation, a cover keeps your pool naturally warmer so your heater doesn’t have to work as hard. You might also consider a solar cover to trap in the sun’s rays.
- Keep Your Pool Clean – Maintain proper chemical balance to avoid facing an algae problem. It’s also important to follow a regular cleaning schedule. This goes for basic cleaning as well.
- Don’t Over Clean – What? To clean or not to clean…which is it? The truth is that letting the automatic cleaner run endlessly or applying unneeded chemicals only wastes money. Learn exactly what you need to keep your pool in shape and don’t overdo it.
- Turn off water features when you’re not using the pool – Waterfalls and jets add a lot to the look and fun of your pool but they do use a lot of energy. Many people also just like the sound of these features even when they aren’t in the pool. However, if you turn those features off when you’re not home or near the pool you can save energy and money.
- Only use your filter when necessary – While many pool owners choose to run their pool filter 24 hours a day, you could make adjustments to the schedule and save some energy. You know when your pool is in use most often, which should give you the time frame during which you should run your filter to keep the pool clean. However, you might check with your electric company to see if there are peak and non-peak rates so you can adjust the schedule somewhat to save money. Do be sure to run the pump enough each day for proper water turnover and not just shut it off completely.
- Use an energy efficient pump – Most conventional pool pumps run at one speed, which wastes energy. Installing a variable speed pump can save you more than you might think throughout the lifetime of your pump. There are a ton of models to choose from so do your research or ask us about the right pump for your pool.
- Turn the temperature down – For every degree you turn up the heater, you are paying a higher cost to heat your pool. You can extend the swim season in Ohio and Michigan by using a heater but you can also use a solar cover to trap the heat. When it’s hot and humid outdoors, this is the time to notch it down a degree or two.
You can also save in other areas around the home.
- Use lids on your pots when you’re cooking. You will trap the heat inside and your foods will cook faster.
- Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
- Turn down the thermostat when you leave the house. A programmable thermostat makes this easy and the investment you make in it will be realized in savings.
- Even if you use your dishwasher to wash your dishes, you can forgo the heated drying cycle and let them air dry.
- Use the correct size pots and pans for the burners you’re using. If the pot or pan fits the burner, you won’t be wasting heat on an empty space.
- Resist the urge to open the oven door to check on your food. You lose up to 20% of the heat every time you do so.
- Brush and vacuum the coils of your refrigerator to help improve its efficiency.
- Set your freezer to -18C. If you set your freezer even 5-6 degrees colder you will use up to 25% more energy.
- If you drink a lot of tea and boil a lot of water, an electric kettle is more energy efficient than using a tea kettle.
- Use weather stripping around all of your doors and windows to help reduce the heating and cooling needs of your home.
- If possible, use an outdoor clothesline to dry some of your clothing, sheets or towels to save money.
- Motion sensors are an ideal way to light up a room that you may not use often.
- Turn your computers and televisions off at night.
- If you’re going away, unplug appliances as they will continue to use energy, called “phantom” usage even if they’re not turned on. Unplug coffee makers, televisions, microwave, etc.
- Replace older toilets that use more water per flush than newer models. Also make sure that your toilet isn’t leaking water from the tank.
- Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They use up to 75% less electricity and last up to 8 times longer.
- Insulate your hot water tank.
- Use cold water to wash your laundry. Wash only full loads, when possible.
- Make certain a licensed HVAC professional inspects your heating and cooling units annually.
- If you’re looking to replace your refrigerator, consider one with a top mounted freezer as they are more energy efficient than a side by side model.
Take a few of these tips and work them into your family’s lifestyle and see you may notice a decrease in your utility bills.
