How to Reduce Pool Pump Energy Costs in Bakersfield (2025 Tips from SplashTech Pool Service)

Pool owners in Bakersfield know the summer electric bill can get out of hand, and the pump is usually the main culprit. With our long hot season and higher PG&E rates, that single-speed pump running constantly adds up fast.

At SplashTech Pool Service, we’ve helped hundreds of local homeowners cut their pool-related energy costs significantly—often by 70-80%—without sacrificing clear water or equipment life. Here are the most effective, proven strategies we recommend and implement for our customers in 2025.

1. Upgrade to a Variable-Speed Pump

This is the single biggest savings opportunity for most pools here. Older single-speed pumps run at full power whenever they’re on, using 2-3 horsepower even when full speed isn’t needed.

Variable-speed models (like the Pentair IntelliFlo or Hayward TriStar VS we install regularly) adjust speed automatically. On low settings they use as little as 1/4 horsepower while still circulating water effectively.

Real-world results we see on routes from Rosedale to southwest Bakersfield: monthly pump costs drop from $200-300 to $50-80 in peak summer. PG&E and federal rebates often cover a good portion of the upfront cost, and the pump typically pays for itself in 12-18 months.

2. Optimize Run Time and Speed Settings

You don’t need the pump running 24 hours a day. In our climate, 8-12 hours of circulation is usually plenty during summer, and even less in cooler months.

With a variable-speed pump and a good timer or automation system:

• Run at high speed 2-4 hours daily for proper filtration

• Drop to low speed the rest of the time for turnover and skimming

• Turn off completely overnight when evaporation is minimal

Customers who make this switch routinely see their daily energy use fall from 20-30 kWh to under 5 kWh.

3. Keep Filters and System Clean

A dirty filter makes the pump work harder to push water through, increasing energy use 20-50%. We clean filters thoroughly on every weekly visit, but between services:

• Backwash sand filters when pressure rises 8-10 psi above clean

• Hose off cartridges monthly

• Chemically clean DE or cartridge filters 1-2 times per year

Clean equipment = lower resistance = less electricity.

4. Use a Pool Cover When Not Swimming

Evaporation is the largest source of heat loss in Bakersfield pools, and replacing that water (and reheating it) indirectly drives up pump and heater run time. A good solar or safety cover reduces evaporation by 90%+, meaning less top-off water and shorter daily run times needed for chemistry stability.

5. Consider Automation and Smart Controls

Systems like Pentair EasyTouch or Jandy iAquaLink let you schedule speeds, monitor energy use, and control everything from your phone. Many of our customers in Seven Oaks and The Oaks love being able to adjust settings remotely or get alerts when something’s running longer than normal.

The Bottom Line

Most Bakersfield pools built before 2015 are wasting hundreds of dollars a year on energy that smarter equipment and habits can eliminate. The upgrades aren’t cheap upfront, but they’re some of the fastest-payback improvements you can make on your home.

If you’d like us to evaluate your current setup and give you an exact savings estimate (no charge), just give us a call or text. We service all areas of Bakersfield and can usually stop by within a couple days.

Thanks for reading—hope this helps keep more money in your pocket this summer.

— The SplashTech Team

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