Creating the pool of your dreams involves more than how it will look. A great design also includes features that make maintenance easier and the pool more eco-friendly, which is better for the environment and saves you money on operating costs. Here are the features that make a pool more energy efficient.

LED lights

LED pool lights are brighter than incandescent bulbs while using far less energy, which adds up to significant savings over time. Where incandescent bulbs can cost up to a dollar each day to run, LED lights cost only pennies for the same period, and they last up to three times as long. They also look great and can be programmed to change colors for your own personal light show.

In-floor cleaning system

An A&A in-floor cleaning and circulation system uses Venturi technology to cycle water effectively while hydraulically sweeping the pool floor. The benefits go beyond automatic cleaning: it circulates water throughout the entire pool rather than only moving water at the top like a traditional system, which keeps the temperature consistent and prevents pool chemicals from concentrating in one area. Because the system produces energy through the Venturi, it can provide up to 50 percent energy savings overall.

Variable-speed pump

The pump is the heart of your pool’s circulation system and has a large impact on overall efficiency. A variable-speed pump adapts to the pool’s current needs, using more power only when a water feature is running, for example. A single-speed pump always runs at full speed whether or not that is necessary, which is why single-speed pumps are no longer permitted in new pool construction in Arizona. Even a two-speed pump is less efficient than a variable-speed model, and the variable-speed option often pays for itself in energy savings within less than two years.

The role of maintenance

Efficiency features work best alongside good upkeep. If a pool is not clean, the circulation system has to work harder, and dirty parts lose effectiveness over time. Conveniences like pool automation and a poolside chlorine feeder make it easy to keep everything running smoothly.

Build a beautiful and efficient pool

At Pools by Design, we consider both form and function throughout the design and build, using the best technology available for energy efficiency. As the only Master Pools Guild member in Southern Arizona, we can help you determine which features fit your needs across Tucson and the surrounding communities.

Frequently asked questions

Which feature saves the most energy?

A variable-speed pump and an in-floor cleaning system both deliver large savings, the pump because it runs daily, and the in-floor system because it can cut energy use up to 50 percent.

Why are single-speed pumps no longer allowed in Arizona?

They run at full speed regardless of need, wasting energy, so new pool construction in Arizona requires more efficient options.

Do LED lights really save that much?

Yes. They cost pennies a day versus up to a dollar for incandescent bulbs, and they last up to three times as long.