Ask Ms. Power Plug

Dear Ms. Power Plug,
My sister is giving me a hard time about the amount of water and energy our pool uses, and it’s got me thinking I should be sure I’m doing everything possible to be eco-friendly. Any suggestions?
Cool in the Pool

Dear Cool,
Water is certainly on our minds these days. Let’s dive right in, starting with your pool.
Pumping water is an expensive proposition. A study by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida Atlantic University found that simple improvements can save up to 75 percent of pool pumping energy and expense, whether in Florida or California. The study found that a 0.75 horsepower or smaller high-efficiency pump is usually sufficient for residential pools.
Improving the flow of water through the system makes the smaller (and less expensive!) pump highly efficient. Tips on how to do it can be found at www.energysavers.gov. Go to Water Heating, click on Swimming Pool Heating, and away you go!
Getting a new qualifying unit can also earn a $200 rebate from Silicon Valley Power, which covers well over half the cost of many pumps (but does not apply, unfortunately, to the designer pumps I’ve had my eye on at the department store!). The rebate is for certain qualified dual and variable-speed units for in-ground pools, so check www.siliconvalleypower.com/poolpump to get the details.
The U.S. Department of Energy also says a good cover on a typical Bay Area pool can reduce evaporation up to 90 percent, heating energy costs up to 80 percent, and chemical consumption by 35 to 50 percent. You can discuss the various cover types with a pool professional to get the best value.
After having a good swim, I just know you’ll want to think about some other water-saving tips.
Since almost one-fifth of all electricity used in the state goes to pumping water from its source to our taps, saving water also saves power. Some other reminders:
• Take shorter showers, using ultra low-flow shower heads.
• Turn the water off while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Water landscapes and lawns sparingly and in the early morning.
• The clothes washer is the second largest water user in your home. Many Energy StarTM rated washers use 35-50 percent less water and half the energy of older washers.
• Operate dishwashers and washing machines only when fully loaded.
Those steps and some pool improvements will certainly get you pumped up about the environment!