Cut Costs with LED Lighting for Your Pool
Lighting is an essential tool for commercial pool management, important not only for ensuring the safety of your guests but also for the aesthetic value. If your facility doesn’t use light-emitting diode (LED) lights, it may be time to consider the many benefits they offer.
The LED “movement”
Over the last six years, “LED lighting has become a full-fledged aquatics industry movement,” an article from Athletic Business reports. The reason? LED lights burn much more efficiently, which translates to significant cost savings.
LED bulbs use far less energy to heat than the vacuum/filament method used in incandescent bulbs. Consider, for instance, that today’s LED fixtures produce the same amount of energy as a 500-watt incandescent bulb, while drawing no more than 70 watts. What’s more, LED bulbs last up to 50 times as long as incandescent lights, according to Consumer Reports. So even though LED lights cost about twice the amount of conventional lighting, the initial investment pays off quickly.
If the cost savings aren’t enough to sway you, then realize that LED lighting is the most environmentally friendly option you can choose. Because LEDs draw so much less power than traditional lighting, they reduce demand on power plants and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
LED lights also make life easier for your pool maintenance crew. Changing burned out, in-pool bulbs can be a real headache, requiring a member of your crew to unscrew the light fixture and pull it to the surface to re-lamp. If your pool has a dozen or more in-pool lights, the ongoing task of lamp replacement can eat up a lot of hours over the course of a summer. “The additional cost of an LED is negated the very first time you have to re-lamp an incandescent fixture,” observes Steve Crocker, Midwest studio director for consulting firm Counsilman-Hunsaker.
An attractive option
Because LED lights are available in a variety of colors, operators of water parks have begun using them to create excitement and to change the “mood” on various attractions. LED bulbs of various colors have also become popular with pool operators who place a high value on aesthetics. Artful placement of colorful LEDs can transform your pool area into a fun, vibrant place to swim, play, socialize, and relax — and even help you boost your pool profits.
As a commercial pool manager, if you’re interested in introducing some color into your lighting scheme, it’s important first to check your local rules and regulations, which often fall under the domain of local health inspectors. For safety’s sake, many regulations require a certain level of brightness for commercial pools that can only be obtained with white lighting. If that’s the case in your area, and you’re still intent on introducing some color, consider using color LEDs to artfully illuminate landscape elements, such as a beautiful tree or a pagoda.
Look to the experts
Upgrading a pool’s lighting system can turn into a large remodeling project, so it’s important to tap into the expertise of a professional pool construction company to discuss your options and to ensure that installation is conducted safely and within code.
Once you’ve completed your LED lighting “makeover,” be sure to advertise this remodel around the community. You’ll want to highlight the aesthetic value your new lighting brings, and don’t forget to trumpet your eco-friendliness by letting everyone know that your facility has taken steps toward a more sustainable future. Patrons will enjoy the benefits of the lighting and rest easier knowing that your facility has made a beneficial change for the environment.
At American Pool, we offer a full range of pool renovation, maintenance, and management services. Get in touch to talk through your pool lighting options or to discuss another need.
