Swiming Pool Energy Audit

[richiep]

Hey All,
I'm working with my HOA to do an energy audit of the grounds. One thing I don't know much about is auditing a swimming pool. I want to provide the HOA with a cost benefit analysis and a payback scenario to install a solar system to heat it.

Can someone out there help me with this?

Thanks
Rich

[Charlie at Homeworx]

If the pool is heated and used in the spring and fall, there may be an enormous associated energy cost, if it's anything like the utility costs I've seen at some private homes with heated pools. Not only is a lot of energy lost by conduction of heat from the water to the air above, but every gallon of water that evaporates must be replaced with a gallon of water reheated. If the pool can be covered when not in use, that's probably one of the most cost effective solutions for reducing energy. Circulating pumps are also typically high energy users, so a scheme to reduce their operation to the minimum necessary for health and safety is probably needed.

There are a number of solar thermal contractors who can estimate a system to heat a pool with the sun. These systems can be cost effective over the long term in some situations, but the initial costs are very high. I'd look at the actual costs to run the pool first. It may depend a lot on whether the pool is used outside of summer months, when energy use for keeping the water warm enough to swim in starts to grow fast. If the energy use is high enough, it might justify a solar thermal heating system. In some cases, a thermal system might be used to heat a pool in the summer and then switch over to help heat a clubhouse in the colder months, which boosts it's overall cost effectiveness. Give a call to some of the experts in the Green Heart Guide Business Directory for estimates and more expert information.

[richiep]

I talked with the HOA about a pool cover and they said that it increases the liability. The reason they gave is if someone were to fall in the pool with the cover on they would be trapped and in grave danger. Our pool is behind a locked gate which is often left propped open. I can see the logic here but I have no stats on how often that kind of accident happens.

Are there pool cover designs that address this concern? Also anyone know how an insurance company would view this?

Thanks
Rich

[Charlie at Homeworx]

Wow, never thought about energy saving measures being liability issues. A pool service/maintenance company could probably tell you much more about those issues than I ever could. It looks pretty cut and dried to me, though, either a safe cover and/or secured pool, or spend more money on energy costs. I have seen pool covers that have tie downs on the edge so that it wouldn't sink with weight on top, but I don't know if that would be enough...