Is this energy-efficient - Heating & Cooling

Energy Efficiency <i>Make Your Pool Green!</i><br /> Pool owners LOVE green pools. Crazy statement if the "green" you're thinking about is unclean, algae-filled water. But when "green" means eco-friendly, a "green" pool is something homeowners should aspire to have in their yards.<br /> Energy Efficiency - Why? Why should I build or upgrade to an energy efficient pool?<br /> <ul> <li><b>1) Reduce Costs:</b> You'll save money. Energy-efficient pool appliances always pay for themselves in reduced electric bills, and then continue to save money for years to come. By choosing pool equipment such a variable speed pump or pool cover, and by establishing good habits like lowering the pool heater when not in use and proper preventative maintenance, costs to a pool owner can be greatly decreased.</li><br /> <li><b>2) Cuts down on energy waste and saves water:</b> Almost all of a pool's heat loss-about 95 percent-occurs at the surface, mostly through evaporation to the air and radiation to the sky. By using a pool cover to prevent heat and water loss, the amount of chemical water treatment will also be reduced. A multispeed or energy efficient pool pump can also significantly reduce the power consumption of a swimming pool by over 65%.</li><br /> <li><b>3) Tax incentives and rebates:</b> Did you know that some states offer tax incentives and rebates for homeowners that purchase energy efficient pool appliances? Check to see what incentives or rebates are available in your state..</li><br /></ul> Energy Efficiency - How? With a combination of pool products and good preventative maintenance habits, you can improve the heating and energy efficiency of your swimming pool.<br /> <ul> <li><i>Pump Efficiency-</i> You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less. On average, an energy efficient pump will use 30-45% less energy than that of a standard pump. The difference over a season can be immense. Pumps now come in two-speed, four-speed, and variable-speed models, so you can turn the speed down for regular daily use saving a lot of energy, and use higher settings for more thorough, less frequent cleanings. New energy-efficient pumps also move the water more efficiently for further savings. Since pumps circulate the water to keep it clean, the better they work, the less a filter has to work. <ul> <li>The <a href="http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-pro/products/pumps-inground-intelliflo-vs-3050-vs-svrs-variable-speed-pumps-76.htm">Pentair IntelliFlo&reg;</a> High Performance Pump is the world's smartest swimming pool pump. Its onboard computer and intelligent software automatically calculate and program the minimum flow requirements for every pool task - filtering, heating, cleaning, spa jets, water features and more - to optimize performance and minimize energy use. As functions/tasks change, IntelliFlo&reg; self-adjusts to maintain optimal flow rates for further energy savings.</li><br /> <li>With the <a href="http://www.haywardcanada.com/inground/products/pumps/EcoStar.cfm">Hayward EcoStar</a> family of pumps, money flows back into your pocket. EcoStar is the industry's most energy efficient variable speed pump, thanks to a super-efficient permanent magnet, totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) motor and industry leading hydraulic design. Tests prove that EcoStar can save you up to 90% on energy costs compared to ordinary single speed pumps. EcoStar matches pump flow to a pool's needs, versus running at full power 100% of the time. It's fully programmable with a self-contained 24-hour clock and up to 8 custom speed and timer functions that allow EcoStar to manage flow throughout the day. Whether used in new construction or aftermarket applications, EcoStar is the perfect choice.</li><br /> <li>Pentair has a calculator that you can use to <a href="http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-owner/resources/calculators/pool-pump-calc/index.html">calculate your energy savings</a> using an energy efficient pool pump.</li><br /></ul></li> <li><i>Pool Covers-</i> A good pool cover will save energy and water. It can keep the water in your pool an average of 10 degrees warmer, which can cut summertime pool heating costs by up to 90 percent. A cover reduces water and chemical evaporation by up to 70 percent, saving nearly a thousand gallons of water per month. A cover also helps keep your pool clean, which means you'll have to run your filter pump less often, saving even more energy.</li><br /> <li><i>Water temperature efficiency-</i> In addition to a pool cover, there are other ways to help keep the cost of heating your pool to a minimum while you still enjoy a comfortable water temperature. Make use of solar energy by locating your pool in the sunniest part of your yard. If possible, screen it from the cooling, prevailing wind with existing structures such as the house or garage, or add a solidly built fence as a windbreak. The water temperature you desire for your swimming pool not only affects the size of the pool's heater, but also your heating costs if use a gas or heat pump pool heater. Heating your pool with solar energy is by far the most energy-efficient method. If you buy a gas or electric heater, check the yellow-and-black Energy Guide label on the appliance. It shows relative energy-efficiency according to tests by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Pool water temperatures typically range from 78&ordm;F to 82&ordm;F. The energy consumption for each degree rise in temperature will cost 10%-30% more in energy costs, depending on your location. In warmer climates, this percentage is higher because of the relatively low cost of heating a pool at 78&ordm;F.</li><br /> <li><i>Timers-</i> Buy automatic timers for both your pool heater and pump. This will allow you to run them in several short cycles during the day, which is more effective than running them once continuously for several hours a day.</li><br /> <li><i>Preventative Maintenance-</i> Maintain efficient daily operations. Turn down the pool heater when the pool is not in use and maintain appropriate water temperatures when in use (78&deg;-80&deg; for active swimming, 82&deg;-84&deg; for recreational use). Raising the water temperature just 1&deg;F can costs an additional 10 - 30%, depending on your location. Keep a thermometer in the pool to help determine the temperature that is best for your pool and mark the "comfort settings" on the thermostat dial to avoid accidental overheating. Backwash the pool filter only as much as necessary to avoid wasting water and energy and be sure to keep drain systems clear to allow the free flow of water. By far, the most energy efficient lights you can get for the pool are LED or solar powered.</li><br /></ul> Energy Efficiency - Not just for pools! It is also possible to make your spa energy efficient. Portable spas are more energy efficient than in-the-ground spas because they are better insulated and usually have covers. If you have a typical portable spa, your heater will heat water 10 degrees in about 8 hours. If you use your spa once a week, lowering the temperature 3 degrees when not in use will save you approximately 5-10% of your spa heating costs; if you use the spa less often, your savings could be even greater. Don't run the jets unless you are using your spa. The mixture of water and air is great for relaxing the muscles, but it cools the water quickly. Spa covers are important. Be sure to leave the cover on until you are ready to use your spa and replace when you're finished. Remember that the heat that escapes is the heat you must pay to replace.

The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, consumers are able upgrade to more energy-efficient heating and air conditioning equipment. They can start saving on energy bills right away, and you may also save on your taxes next year. For your home, these benefits can include lowering home energy bills, increasing your indoor comfort, and reducing air pollution. These programs are helping savvy consumers’ lower energy bills in their home. The energy-efficient products that are eligible for the new federal tax credits can lower the amount of federal income taxes that many taxpayers must pay Uncle Sam.

There are some new potentially lucrative tax incentives for energy-efficient and renewable-energy home improvements. These may offer some consolation to many homeowners who feel they are getting forgotten with the government's various economic stimulus efforts.

There is a $1,500 energy-efficient credit, which currently will last only last two years, meaning consumers will have to find a way to spend this money during this economic downturn. Homeowners now have a new opportunity to lower their energy costs and save on their 2009 federal income taxes by making specific energy efficiency upgrades to their homes.

There is also a new tax credit that will be effective 2009 through 2016 for 30 percent of the cost of a qualified geothermal heat pump. This can be for up to $2,000. These caps do not apply to certain alternative energy systems like geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, wind power, or photovoltaic systems. The benefits for installing some pricier solar technology, small wind-energy systems or geothermal-well systems can include a tax credit of 30% for qualifying expenditures with no upper limit through 2016. In order for you to claim your credit, the energy efficient improvements you must use qualifying Energy Star rated products and they must be started up sometime between from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

By doing your research and talking with your heating and air conditioning professional you may be able to save a substantial amount of money and get some great home improvements at the same time.

Energy consumption for home air conditioning accounts for almost 5% of all the electricity produced in the USA. Energy Policy Act mandates minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial buildings, using research and standards developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers. Energy Star qualified central air conditioners have a higher seasonal efficiency rating (SEER) than standard models, which makes them about 14% more efficient than standard models. Energy efficiency specialists with certified training on retrofits and energy savings on both residential and light commercial units may enable you to save up to 50 percent on your air conditioning bills with the use of a high efficiency energy system. Substantial energy savings can be obtained from more efficient systems.

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is related to the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is the ratio of output cooling in Btu/Hr and the input power in watts W at a given operating point and also to the coefficient of performance (COP) commonly used in thermodynamics. SEER rating more accurately reflects overall system efficiency on a seasonal basis and EER reflects the system’s energy efficiency at peak day operations.

The SEER rating is the Btu of cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the same period. SEER is related to the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is the ratio of output cooling in Btu/Hr and the input power in watts W at a given operating point and also to the coefficient of performance (COP) commonly used in thermodynamics. SEER rating more accurately reflects overall system efficiency on a seasonal basis and EER reflects the system’s energy efficiency at peak day operations. The higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency of your unit. Therefore you will realize greater energy savings. The higher efficiency your product, the lower your long-term energy costs will be. Both central AC and air source heat pumps are rated according to seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).

Before you consider upgrading your cooling equipment, the cheapest way to save money and energy from cooling is to reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning in the first place. Ask your contractor about a variable speed air handler, which will improve comfort and efficiency and allow continuous air filtering at minimum energy cost. Also, because ducts are often responsible for a lot of wasted energy, make sure you hire a contractor who knows about high-efficiency installations. If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star qualified model could cut your cooling costs by 30 percent.