Save money and greenhouse gas emissions in your backyard

Reducing the amount of time your pool pump runs each day is one of the most effective ways you can reduce your household greenhouse gas emissions – and save money.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said this is one of the messages of the Queensland Government’s ClimateSmart Living campaign, which focuses on our individual actions and the combined effect we can have to combat climate change.

“For every one hour each day you can avoid running your pool pump, you can save more than $80 a year and half a tonne of greenhouse gas emissions,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“If you did just this one action, it would save the equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions of not driving your car for six weeks.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said it is quite easy to reduce your daily pool pump running by at least an hour every day if we adapt to the seasons and amount of use the pool is getting.

“In winter, and other times when your pool is covered, your pump does not need to run for as many hours as in the middle of summer,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“For the summer months manufacturers recommend running pool pumps for eight hours per day, while in winter with cooler conditions and pool covers, they can be effective if run for as little as four hours.”

This could mean you could save as much as $160 per year, and around one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions for a two-horsepower pool pump. When you then consider there are 310,000 swimming pools or spas throughout Queensland, this can represent a tremendous saving.

“When the warmer months come around again, use a home test kit or take a water sample to your local pool shop so you can adjust the balance and running time – that way it will be ready for you to dive in,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

You can save even more by making a few simple changes such as:
• Check your timer regularly to ensure it is working properly;
• Keep your filter in good condition by back washing regularly, rather than waiting for the pressure to rise on the gauge;
• If building a new pool or replacing the filter, look for the most energy efficient model; and
• Change your pump to off-peak electricity.
For more easy tips on how you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions around the house and save money, log on to www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002