Swimming pool: how to reduce energy consumption?

By optimizing the energy consumption of your equipment, you can contribute to a more responsible use of your pool, and above all make real savings on your budget. In this article, discover the best tips for reducing your pool's energy consumption.

Understand your pool's energy consumption

Electricity consumption for a swimming pool depends on a number of factors. First, the size of the pool plays an important role, as the larger it is, the more energy it requires for heating and filtration. Then, the power and performance of your filtering system also influence electricity consumption. The climate of your region has its impact, as more rigorous climatic conditions require more energy to maintain water temperature. The location of the pool, whether indoors or outdoors, in the shade or in the sun, also affects its consumption. What's more, the materials used for the pool can modify energy requirements. Finally, electrical equipment for heating and filtration, such as heat pumps, boilers, solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels, contribute significantly to lower electricity consumption.

The average electricity consumption of a swimming pool

As mentioned above, calculating the annual electricity cost of a swimming pool is tricky, as it all depends on the size of your pool, its depth and your equipment. Finally, certain contracts with electricity suppliers can be more or less advantageous, such as the peak/off-peak system. In any case, you should know that annual consumption is divided into three categories: filtration 60%, heating around 35% and ancillary equipment (robots, roller shutters) 5%.

Estimated average annual electricity consumption

• 40m3 pool: 218 €/year
• 60m3 pool: €297/year
• 100 m3 pool: €595/year

What actions can be taken to reduce the energy bill?

Optimizing the filtration pump

• A variable-speed pump consumes less energy, as you can adapt the speed to your needs. For everyday filtration, the low-flow mode allows the pump to operate at low speed, which is both quieter and more energy-efficient. Longer service life too!
• Activating the pump in summer: We recommend activating filtration during the day to lower the water temperature and reduce the impact of UV rays. However, you can divide the hours of filtration 3/4 of the time during the day and 1/4 of the time at nightfall to reduce your electricity bill a little.
• Adjust filtration time according to water temperature. As a reminder, the calculation of filtration time is: water t° divided by two. You don't need to filter the water any longer, and you can adapt this time according to the weather. On the other hand, remember that a filtration time that is too short will lead to a deterioration in water quality and greater consumption of chemicals.
• Regular filter cleaning optimizes pump efficiency. The more efficient the filtration, the better you can adjust the activation time and thus save energy.

Reduce heating consumption

• The use of a heat pump for swimming pools (PAC) is highly recommended, as their electricity consumption can be up to 80% lower than that of an electric heater. Today, with the latest generation of heating systems, electricity consumption averages 1,570 kWh/year. In France, the installation of a less energy-intensive solution is eligible for financial aid and tax reductions.
• To limit the use of heating and maintain water temperature, a bubble cover or roller shutter can make substantial savings. In summer, covering your pool also limits water evaporation and therefore water consumption.

Regular maintenance and water quality

Regular pool maintenance is crucial to energy savings for a number of reasons. Firstly, as we said in the previous paragraph, a well-maintained filtration system operates more efficiently. Clean filters and pumps in good condition reduce energy consumption by ensuring optimum water circulation. Similarly, elements such as skimmers and nozzles need to be kept clear to prevent the system from working harder than necessary.

Secondly, regular pool maintenance allows leaks to be detected and repaired quickly. Water leaks can lead to over-consumption of energy for heating and filling the pool, increasing your energy costs.

An effective cleaning of pool surfaces and equipment, such as solar heaters or photovoltaic panels, ensures their maximum efficiency. Scale and algae in the pool can reduce the ability of these devices to capture and retain heat, thus requiring more energy to maintain water temperature.

Finally, preventive maintenance reduces the risk of major breakdowns and costly repairs that could lead to increased energy consumption. A well-maintained pool is not only more economical in the long term, but also more pleasant to use.

Choose energy-efficient equipment

Since January 2024, a new pictogram assigns scores from A to F to assess the energy efficiency of swimming pool equipment. Like the Nutri-Score for food products, this system lets you choose your equipment based on its energy performance. This information helps you understand their environmental impact. You can find these scores on quotations when building or renovating your pool.

What you need to know to reduce your energy consumption

The pool market has evolved significantly, now offering much more environmentally-friendly, energy- and water-efficient equipment. However, a swimming pool remains a substantial investment for any household. Intelligent pool design can help reduce your energy costs. In addition, regular maintenance of your equipment, as well as maintaining water quality, are essential to optimize your energy consumption and maximize the efficiency of your installation.