SWIMMING POOL: How can you save on your pool system today? TightWatt.

February 24th, 2008

tightwatt pump saverAre you putting in a new pool?  Or, maybe you have an older pool?  Have you done any recent research on how you can further save save energy (and $$’s) annually in the operation of your pool pump, and the entire pool system? 

As pool owners, most of us are aware that in the winter there are fewer contaminants in our pool water due to lowered usage, slower algae growth rates, and other factors.   Because of this, most of us do not need to run our systems for the same duration as in summer to achieve acceptable water quality.    Maybe you know this, but do you change the your pool timer as the seasons change?   

Well, there is a smarter solution out there, and it is called the TightWatt.  TightWatt’s are pool timers that have multiple settings, and automatically adjust for season changes. 

TightWatt timers simply replace your existing timer.  Instructions are included so that you can make the swap yourself.  During the easy set-up process you enter the present time and date.  You then decide if you This post continues… »

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SWIMMING POOL: Have you seen the first solar-powered Pool Skimmer?

December 7th, 2007

solar breeze pool skimmer robotOut of Phoenix Arizona today (where homeowners are still swimming), Solar-Breeze rolled out what they are calling the “World’s First Solar-powered Pool Skimmer.” While we haven’t gotten our hands on one of these robotic pool skimmers to test yet at GetWithGreen.com, we wanted to bring you the news because we think it is kind of cool.

The Solar-Breeze is an intelligent, solar power, robotic swimming pool surface skimmer, combined with a swimming pool Chemical Dispenser. It operates on solar power alone, and on internal storage batteries, charged by the sun during the part of the day when the sun is high in the sky. As such, there are no electrical connections required, and no power consumption!. Solar-Breeze collects debris from the pool surface, thus preventing it from sinking to the bottom. The solar aspects make this an eco-friendlier green alternative to running your This post continues… »

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SWIMMING POOL: Pay attention to your pool pump, or you could pay more!

September 7th, 2007

swimming pool pumpBuilding out your new backyard, may mean that you are adding a pool.  Or perhaps you are just looking to help our environment and save $’s at the same time by evaluating your present pool system…. 

SwimmingPoolBasics.com says…Your choice of a swimming pool pump is of great importance because of the fact that the correct selection can lead to a lot of saving on energy costs as well as in maintaining the correct temperature of the water.   By selecting a small, higher efficiency pump, you can save up to 75% in energy and maintenance bills depending upon the region you are located in.   The theory that works behind this logic that the larger the pump the greater the pumping costs and maintenance will be.

Your swimming pool pump often keeps on running much longer than necessary. For example, it is not necessary to keep the pump running under the mistaken belief that the chemicals will remain mixed only when the pump is running. Actually, as long as the pump is running when the chemicals are being mixed, they do not require any recirculation to remain mixed. Similarly you need only an occasional use of the pump for removing debris and algae. Daily removal of debris is quite effective with the use of a skimmer and a vacuum cleaner. The best way of removing algae is This post continues… »

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SWIMMING POOL: Who manufacturers solar pool heating & heaters? The List.

August 5th, 2007

solar pool heating

To many of you, the “remodel” you are presently doing may be a backyard and pool makeover project - and it is highly likely that you may be evaluating the different methods for heating that swimming pool oasis. GetWithGreen.com wants to reveal a list of top manufacturers of solar heating products to you. We want to make your quest to understand your options as easy as possible. Additionally, we want to make sure you have a place to double check the information you are receiving from your pool specialist or installer.

solar water pool 1How does a solar pool heating system work? A solar pool heating system works via black plastic panels or collectors capturing the energy from the sun and using it to heat the water in your pool. The materials used to make these systems are manufactured from high tech. plastics which have been designed to resist weather and resist the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. The materials are typically a flavor of polypropylene. Using your existing pool pump, water is circulated through the solar panels where it is heated by the sun and then returned to your pool. The collectors that sit on your roof typically come in the same sizes, no matter what manufacturer you get them from: 4ft x 8ft, 4ft x 10ft, or 4ft x 12ft.

Solar heating is not “on demand” heating. On demand heating? On demand heating is, “I feel like turning on the heater and heating my pool.” Solar pool heating systems doesn’t work that way. Solar systems heat only This post continues… »

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SWIMMING POOL: Thumbs up for heating your pool via solar?

July 19th, 2007

This is the first post of many that focuses on solar heating for your pool.  We wanted to start you out with an article that offers you two simple reasons why you should think seriously about it!

Why Solar Heating for your Swimming Pool?

pool solar heating 

Check back soon and GetWithGreen because we will be providing a comprehensive list of solar pool heating products. Leave a Comment if you think solar is the way to go or not!

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10+ ways to go green & save money on your pool or spa remodel

July 5th, 2007

This article from San Diego Gas & Electric discusses a number of things that each of us can do with our existing pools and spas to save money and the environment.  The article also discusses at a high-level the costs of heating gas vs. electric spas. 

San Diego Gas & Electric Swimming Pool and Spa - Go Green

While you are there, make sure you check out the pool and spa REBATES!!

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Swimming Pool & Spa savings - rebates on pumps, timers, and filters

June 29th, 2007

As you are remodeling your backyard and putting in that eco-friendly pool, make sure you check you local gas and electric company for swimming pool REBATES.  Most of them have rebates on POOL PUMPS (if only I had known!), POOL FILTERS (If only I had known!!), and POOL TIMERS.  

Go to your local utility website and search “rebates”, or “pool efficiency.”     I find on average that the rebates range from $30-150! 

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Texas Pool Owners discuss green options

June 21st, 2007

Solar pool heaters? Salt water? Energy efficient filtration systems? Cost savings? All are discussed in this Texas article, which also discusses a new Pentair IntelliFlo pump which uses a permanent magnetic motor like those found in hybrids… SWIMMING POOL: Pool owners are going green

(NOTE: You may be asked to answer a couple registration questions to read this informative article.)

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