Will You Be Poolside This Memorial Day?
As Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, Texans turn their attention to poolside parties with grilled meats. There’s nothing like jumping into a swimming pool for the first time each summer. Furthermore, there’s something special about pulling yourself out of the pool and walking straight toward big piles of hot dogs and hamburgers. Just don’t get the buns soggy! This Memorial Day, reflect on the sacrifice of fallen soldiers and enjoy the freedom they secured. And all the while, save money on Texas power.
Swimming Pool Energy Tips
Any pool owner can tell you that maintaining one isn’t cheap. Yes, you need need chemicals and a lot of water; however, you also need cheap electricity to run the pump. So, do as much as you can to conserve power:
- Use coolers for pool parties. You don’t want guests constantly going in and out of the house every time they need a drink refill. They’ll do that enough for the bathroom! With each door opening, they let cold air escape making your HVAC system work harder. Place coolers with iced beverages in a shady spot to maximize ice retention. Popular cooler brand Yeti recommends prechilling coolers the night before to make your ice last as long as possible.
- Reduce pumping time. Your pool pump only needs to run six to eight hours per day to maintain clear water. So, experiment with your run times to see how little your pool needs.
- Keep debris out. Lawn clippings, dirt, and leaves make your filtration system run longer. Therefore, prevent debris from falling in the water with a pool cover, and remove it quickly with a skimming net.
- Clean your filters. Filters protect your expensive pool equipment. Consequently, clean them regularly to keep your mechanical system running smoothly.
Memorial Day Party Food
You can’t throw a pool party without great food. You also don’t need a high electricity bill to make them, either:
- Grilled meats and vegetables: Keep your oven turned off for the entire party. You don’t need it! Break out a bag of charcoal, or fire up your gas grill to cook tasty grilled meats and vegetables. Hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwursts, and steaks are just a few meat options. And corn on the cob is best when kissed by fire. Grill baskets enable you to cook chopped vegetables like squash, zucchini, onions, and bell peppers.
- Cold sides: Prepping cold sides the night before a party makes the day-of work easier. So, make coleslaw, potato salad, and other cold sides in advance, and keep them refreshingly cold in coolers.
- Fresh fruit: Nothing cooks quite as easily as something that only needs cutting up. Chop some fruit, arrange it on a plate, and serve! If you want to be fancy, you can make a fruit dip with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice.
Summer Electricity Plans
Summer has officially started in Texas. So, if you wait much longer to secure a fixed rate electricity contract, you could pay a lot more than you need to. Shop for the best Texas electricity rates available, and cool your home for a great price all year.
