On the House

Swimming in Savings

Help make your pool more energy efficient

By Jonathan Susser

Q: I read somewhere that my pool pump is one of the biggest energy users in my home. Is that true? What can I do to make it more energy efficient?

A: It is, indeed, true. Circulating, filtering and cleaning all that pool water yearround — especially in the summertime — eat up a significant amount of energy. In fact, pool pumps, due to their motor, may be your second largest energy consumer at home, behind only your heating and cooling system. Fortunately, there are efficient pumping technologies that will make less of a dent in your wallet while keeping the water crystal clear.

When evaluating a pool pump for efficiency and savings potential, the biggest thing to look for is whether it is single-speed or variable-speed. Single-speed pool pumps, as their name suggests, operate at only one speed no matter the task. In other words, they’ll run at the same rate when operating a chlorinator, supporting water features or filtering, despite the latter requiring less power.

Variable-speed pool pumps, on the other hand, can tailor their speed to specific uses, and can be programmed to do so, so that you don’t waste power when it isn’t necessary. These pumps also tend to be quieter and should require less maintenance and last longer than single-speed pumps, because slower filtration rates put less stress on the equipment. However, you’ll still want to properly maintain them just like the others — by repairing leaks and removing debris, for instance — so they operate at peak performance. A downside to variable-speed pool pumps is that they cost more upfront than single-speed pumps (though check with your electric cooperative for rebates). However, given their operating cost savings, their break-even point is typically just a couple of years, and you should save a substantial amount of money from then on — likely on the order of hundreds of dollars annually. Pool equipment manufacturer Pentair provides an online calculator (bit.ly/pool-calc) to gauge how much you might be able to save.

Also, keep an eye out for the Energy Star® label on pool pumps. Energy Star independently certifies variable-speed pumps — both in-ground and above-ground models — that meet specific criteria, so you’ll be even more confident that you’ll save energy and money. In fact, certified in-ground pool pumps use up to 65 percent less energy than standard pool pumps, and certified above-ground pool pumps use around 17 percent less energy.

While pumping will be your largest pool-related energy expense, there are additional ways to cut down on costs. For example, safely covering your pool when it’s not in use can help reduce any heating expenses, conserve water and even make cleaning easier. If you have a pool heater, try to avoid heating your pool too much beyond 78 degrees — each degree you add could set you back an additional 10% to 30% in energy.

So, worry a bit less about the bank and enjoy the sun and water this summer. Maybe you’ll even get to fit in a few extra pool parties with your new savings.

Birthday Beach Fun

Every August my family would go to Carolina Beach for my birthday. We would stay in a two-story house that had been converted to several small efficiencies. Each evening we would walk to the pavilion. I would ride the hobby horses, my mom would play bingo, we would walk the boardwalk and watch the candy folks pull taffy and make those giant pinwheel lollipops. Our last stop was at Dairy Queen for free ice cream as the owner of the house where we were staying ran the DQ. My dad brought his own inner tube to use as a float, fishing poles for him and my brother, and he and I would dig big holes on the beach and just sit in them. Best times ever that I cherish in my heart.

Lucy Buchanan, Fairview A member of Union Power Cooperative

I Love My ‘Teachur’

As an adult, the many cards I received from my beloved Grandpa Bill was a US grandfather Bill always contained this phrase: “I love Army Air Force pilot in 1941 during World War II. my teachur.” It was a private joke between us, dating back to my days as his self-appointed seven-year-old schoolmarm. For some reason, I decided that the former World War II pilot and successful housing contractor needed an education. Sprawled out on the concrete floor of the carport at his house on Dublin Road in Asheboro, chalk in hand, I spent hours “teaching” him math and spelling.

“What is 7 times 7?” I would demand, only to hear him say “53!” or “99!” Exasperated, I would huff and puff. “When will you learn that 7 times 7 is 49?” And his spelling was atrocious. “If you don’t learn to spell,” I warned him, “you will never make it in life!”

Eventually I realized that the joke was on me, and he intentionally flunked my quizzes just to hear me scold him. My grandfather passed away in 1995, and I owe so much to him, including my sense of humor and lifelong interest in education. Looking back, however, I just wish I’d spent more time learning from him. Dressed for the Beach

In 1970, my father, Lasalle Hankins, won this boat in a drawing. At that time, my parents had eight children to feed and decided to sell the boat to secure additional funds for our care. Prior to its sale, my father had to have a family photograph taken with the boat. I am sitting on my mother’s lap wearing a bathing suit. Years later, I inquired of my mother as to my “inappropriate” dress attire. She responded, “You often dressed yourself in a bathing suit hoping to go to the beach!”

Pauline Hankins, Bolivia A member of Brunswick Electric

Saturday Afternoon Wrestling

Pictured are my grandparents, Gordon and Leeanna Davis, in rural McDowell County. They purchased a TV in the early 1960s, but it only picked up the Charlotte station. Wrestling came on Saturday afternoons, and boy did they get into that. Grandpap sat in his straight-back chair twisting, jerking and grunting right along with them. Of course, they had good and bad guys.

One bad guy was called Rip Hawk. Chief Wahoo McDaniel, a good guy [and a Choctaw-Chickasaw Native American], was a crowd favorite. He came to the ring wearing his magnificent headdress, strutting around the ring before his match. On this particular Saturday, Dad said, “Come on, we’ll go cut your granny’s grass.”

As we were getting out of the truck, here comes Grandma walking or maybe stomping down from their log house. You could tell she was ill, nope, madder than a wet hen, I guess. Dad asked, “What’s wrong, Ma?” She replied, “Why that there danged ol’ Chicken Hawk done went and jumped on him before he could get his feathers off!”

I still laugh every time I recall that day and how upset she was from that wrestling match!

Corn, Corn and More Corn

Everyone who knows me, knows I love corn. It doesn’t matter how it is cooked or even how it is served. When I was a small child, I remember going to a Corn Festival. There was corn everywhere … white corn, yellow corn, pretty corn, ugly corn … EVERYWHERE! To a corn lover like me, it was a childhood dream come true.

I had corn with salt, corn with butter, and even just plain corn. Since it was just picked local corn, it was very sweet. I liked it even better than chocolate!

I always remembered the Corn Festival. It was such a good memory. I thought it could never be topped. Then, years later, my father-in-law retired. He decided to return to his hometown. Once there, he found and purchased a small piece of property. He was very happy as he began to grow some of his food.

We watched him as his garden began to grow. Each time we saw him, everything would be taller and closer to picking. I should say, my father-in-law may have liked watching everything grow even better than eating it. He was amazed at how much he could grow in his garden.

Finally, the garden was ready. Up on the top of a hill, his large stalks of corn were gently blowing in the wind. To me, it was such a beautiful sight and one I will always remember.

My father-in-law said I could have all the corn I could carry — no bags or boxes. Since I love corn so much, this was a challenge I couldn’t resist.

I began to pick corn, one ear at a time. Before I was through, I had corn in my pockets, under my arms, rolled in the shirt I was wearing — there was corn in my socks and up my sleeves. Corn was anywhere you could imagine. By the time I was through, my spouse and father-in-law were really laughing. I was trying not to laugh since I did not want to drop a single ear!

We were never sure how I managed it, but I ended up with 60 ears. We picked a few more ears and went back to the house to eat them. I know that was some of the best corn I have ever eaten. Certainly the ones I laughed about the most!

My grandparents, Gordon and Leeanna Davis, 1962.

Arvle Davis, Asheville A member of Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative

Katie Martin, Danbury

Send Us Your Memories We love sharing photos and memories dear to our readers. Submit your photo, plus roughly 200 words that describe it, online or by mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want it returned (only one entry per household, per month). Include your name, mailing address, phone number or email address, and the name of your electric co-op. We retain reprint rights, and we’ll pay $50 for those we publish. Online: carolinacountry.com/contact U.S. Mail: I Remember, Carolina Country, 3400 Sumner Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27616