PowerStream is encouraging customers to be mindful of how and when they use their pool pumps over the next few months as the utility continues its ‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’ campaign.

The campaign, which began the first week in July, is being run by PowerStream to help customers avoid high electricity bills that will more than likely occur as a result of recent increases in electricity prices across the province approved by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the implementation of Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and an expected hotter than average summer.

One area where PowerStream customers can learn to better manage their electricity costs is with their backyard pools. The utility suggests that when purchasing a new pool or retrofitting an existing pool with a new pump, homeowners consider the hidden price tag, the one which includes the on-going operating costs. Pool pumps running continuously or oversized for the application can cost the pool owner hundreds of dollars in wasted electricity.

To combat this, many pool manufacturers now offer two speed and variable speed pool pumps that can help to reduce electricity consumption while providing excellent filtration. Timers can also be installed in conjunction with these units, allowing PowerStream customers currently being billed based on time-of-use (TOU) rates, to operate their pool pumps during off peak pricing periods.

John Sherin, PowerStream’s Manager of Conservation and Demand Management says many consumers are not well informed on what to look for when choosing pool pump and filtering equipment. Although a single speed pump may cost less initially, the ongoing costs associated with operating the pool annually can more than pay for the more efficient pump over time.

The U.S. Department of Energy has done several studies indicating that the quickest and easiest way to reduce pool pump operating costs is through the installation of a timer,” Sherin said. “Based on studies conducted in Florida, they found that pool pump operating time can be reduced to as little as three hours a day but recommend six hours.”

“Reduce your filtration time to six hours per day. If the water doesn't appear clean, increase the time in half-hour increments until it does,” added Sherin. “In the Florida study, most people who reduced pumping to less than three hours per day were still happy with the water's quality. On average, this saved them 60 percent of this cost on their electricity bill but results will vary.”

Sherin also suggests that customers consider installing a solar pool heater. Although heat pump water heaters are extremely efficient and can be run in off peak periods for greater savings, nothing is more cost effective than energy the sun provides.

Additional information on how to “Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs” as well as details on conservation programs currently offered by PowerStream, such as peaksaver® and the Great Refrigerator Roundup, are available on the company’s website at www.powerstream.ca/powerdown