Heat the pool only when you use it. If you only use your pool on weekends or special occasions, turn off the heater or lower the thermostat setting to 68 degrees during the week. You can turn on your heater the night before, or the morning of the day you plan to swim. Turn your pool heater off when you leave for vacation to save energy, and money. Re-evaluate the frequency of backwashing.
Most people backwash more than needed.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Protect the pool surface from wind without blocking sunlight by using trees, planting, fences, and cabanas. This fall and winter, the nation and California continues to experience electric shortages. In this case, Palo Alto must meet California central electricity grid curtailment requests. For background information on this statewide summer reliability information, click here .