Save Money on Pool Sweep Running

[stevehoyt]

I recently installed ISY control on both my pool pump and pool sweep. I did it so that I could program the run times of both depending on the day and time.

I have time of use electricity pricing which costs as much as 60 Cents per KW during 12-6 M-F. It was a pain to readjust the timer on Sat to run during the day which is when I want extra hours to clean pool and run the solar heat and then reset them on Monday to avoid peak usage periods.

 

As a side benefit I am saving money on pool sweep usage.

 

I used to run the pool sweep for x number of hours when I ran the pool pump to keep the silt stirred up so that it could be filtered out. In fact the pool was clean after 1 hour and I just need the sweep to run every now and then to keep the dirt stirred up.

 

I now have reprogrammed the sweep to just run 15 minutes per hour when the pump is on. Should save a lot, as we pay a lot even in off peak hours over 20 cents per KW.

 

Next project is to incorporate ambient sun level to control pool solar heat and allow it to run during peak periods only if the pool is too cold and the sun is shining i.e. no clouds overhead.

[kyeck]

Can I ask what you're using to control your pool pump? I'm interested in doing the same, but I've heard that some of the INSTEON compatible versions on the market aren't waterproof for outdoor installation.

 

Thanks,

-Ken

[Hurting2Ride]

You can use a 220V / 240V 30 AMP INSTEON Load Controller Relay (Dual-Band).

 

http://www.smarthome.com/2477SA1/INSTEO ... and/p.aspx

 

As far I can tell this is intended for outdoor and in the vicinity of water (but make sure to read all the instructions and warnings).

[Brian H]

H2R, Sales page says Indoor installations.

[Hurting2Ride]

Yikes, so it does. On the other hand a lot of the verbiage in the owner's guide would seem to indicate outdoor usage...and Smarthome sold me one when I told them I needed something for my outdoor pool pump. Luckily(?) I returned mine before deciding to install it as I was still looking for other options.

 

Thanks for pointing that out.

[Lauren23]

You could get really fancy with the weatherbug thing. The colder it is the earlier you turn on the heater so that the heater turns on just early enough to bring the engine block up to temp at start time.