Washington D.C. (July 29, 2016): Swimming pool owners will see a huge drop in their monthly utility bills thanks to a consensus agreement between industry, efficiency proponents, and other interested parties for the first national energy efficiency standards for pool pumps that was approved today by a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advisory committee.
With more than 5 million in-ground and 3.5 million above-ground pools in the U.S. the national energy and financial savings from more energy efficient pumps will be significant. Based on DOE's analysis, the standards will save more than 400 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity over 30 years of sales or the equivalent amount of electricity used annually by 37 million U.S. households, making it one of the biggest energy savings standards completed this year. Most of the savings will come from switching from single speed pumps to variable speed pumps, which can change their speed as needed, speeding up to clean the pool or slowing down and saving energy when filtering the water.
The new standards will cut the energy use for in-ground pool pumps by about 70%, and owners of in-ground pools will save about $2,000 on average over the lifetime of a pool pump. On a national level, consumers will save $13-28 billion with the new standards taking into account pool pumps sold over a 30-year period.
Today's approval of the agreement by DOE's Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) marks an important step in the standard-setting process. Next, DOE will write a rule based on the recommended standards and publish it for public comment. The new standards were developed after a yearlong series of negotiations between DOE, pool pump manufacturers, motor manufacturers, efficiency supporters, state government, and utilities.
"We are pleased that industry and energy efficiency advocates collaborated to propose a national standard that will lead to the greater use of variable speed pool pumps," said Commissioner Andrew McAllister, the California Energy Commission's lead on energy efficiency. "This technology provides improved service, lowers consumers' utility bills, and avoids greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. We are proud to be part of this very positive step forward toward greater efficiency."
The standards are scheduled to take effect in 2021.
For background information, see this blog post by NRDC's Lauren Urbanek.
Appliance Standards Awareness Project; Bestway, USA, Inc.; California Energy Commission; California Investor-Owned Utilities (Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas Company); Hayward Industries, Inc.; Natural Resources Defense Council; National Electrical Manufacturers Association; Nidec Motor Corporation; Pentair Aquatic Systems; Regal Beloit Corporation; U.S. Department of Energy; Waterway; and Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) is the world's oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers' agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals. Dedicated to the growth and development of its members' businesses and to promoting the enjoyment and safety of pools and spas, APSP offers a range of services, from professional development to advancing key legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels, to consumer outreach and public safety. APSP is the only industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute to develop and promote national standards for pools, hot tubs, and spas. For more information, visit APSP.org or the Association's consumer site, EscapetoWater.com. Connect with APSP on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Houzz.
The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency. The agency was established by the California Legislature through the Warren-Alquist Act in 1974. It has seven core responsibilities: advancing state energy policy, encouraging energy efficiency, certifying thermal power plants, investing in energy innovation, developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, and preparing for energy emergencies. To learn more, visit the Commission's website at www.energy.ca.gov, join us on facebook.com/CAEnergy and follow us at twitter.com/CalEnergy.