Pool pump rebate

Council is supporting you to live more sustainably at home, at work and in your community.

Energy Smart Pool Pump Rebates are available exclusively for Ku-ring-gai residents and reduce your energy bills and improve the local environment.

You could see annual energy cost savings of up to $481 with a payback period of just 2.16 years*.

2024-25 Pool Pump Rebate Program

We are offering $250 rebates for Ku-ring-gai residents who replace existing inefficient, single-speed pool pumps with an energy efficient pool pump (6-star rated and above as listed by Greenhouse & Energy Minimum Standards Regulator).

Energy savings

The ability to reduce the flow rate of a variable speed pool pump results in energy savings.

Unlike a single-speed pump that will operate at maximum flow rate even for tasks that require minimum flow rates, the variable speed pump can be slowed down to the optimum level required for the plumbing task.

Lowering the flowrate also results in reduced friction within the bends of the plumbing system making it far more energy efficient than using a single speed pump. 

Pool pumps in Ku-ring-gai

Swimming pool pumps are among the most energy-hungry appliances, running for up to 8 hours a day and accounting for up to 30% of total household energy consumption. This can be significantly higher with very old and inefficient pool pumps. It is estimated that almost one in every two Ku-ring-gai’s 39,000 households has a swimming pool, making this a major source of energy inefficiency in our local area.

Since its inception, the program estimates an average reduction of nearly 70% in energy use by pool pumps across the 688 households which received rebates. Based on these savings, households could see annual energy cost savings of up to $495 resulting in a payback period of less than 2 years and 8 months*.

*Payback periods have been calculated using annual average standard tariff across the years (22.85c/kWh to31.37c/kWh). Actual savings will vary depending on the type of tariff the resident is being charged by the energy supplier. 

In Ku-ring-gai LGA the daily average energy used by households in 2022-2023 was about 21kWh as compared to 14kWh in metropolitan Sydney area serviced by Ausgrid[AD1]. The daily average consumption of older single speed pool pumps that were replaced was recorded to be 7.02kWh as compared to 2.19kWh for new variable speed pumps.

How to apply

1. Apply for pre-approval (form 1).
2. Receive pre-approval and reference number.
3. Purchase and install pump.
4. Submit rebate application (form 2) to receive rebate.

Download pool pump application forms 1 and 2(PDF, 88KB)

Remember

• Applications for pre-approval for this rebate are open until 24 June 2025 or until funds are exhausted.
• Applicants will have 21 days from when written pre-approval is provided by Council to complete installation and return the required paperwork (or by 25 June 2025 - whichever is earlier).
• Properties that have received a pool pump in the past are not eligible to apply again.
• Rebates are only available for replacement of single speed pool pumps that are used for general filtration.

Before purchase and installation

1.  Identify an appropriate pool pump with an Energy Star rating of 6 stars.
2.  We recommend you consult at least one pool pump supplier for advice on selecting the right energy efficient pump for your pool.
3.  Apply to Council for pre-approval for the pump you wish to purchase and install via email sustainability@krg.nsw.gov.au.

• Record the electricity consumption of your old pool pump. You can do this by borrowing an easy-to-use ‘Save Power Kit’ from any Ku-ring-gai Library.
• Receive a quotation for the minimum 6 Energy Star-rated* pool pump.
• Use these details to complete and submit the pre-approval form (Form 1). Pre-approvals are subject to funds being available.

Please note you must receive written pre-approval from Council before you proceed with purchasing and installing the pump to be eligible to receive the rebate.

4.  Once your pre-approval is successful, within 7 working days you will receive advice in writing along with a reference number which must be quoted in related correspondence and the final rebate application form. From the date of this email you will have 21 days to complete the installation and submit the rebate application form below.

Installation 

The pump must be installed for swimming pool filtration use only and to meet Australian Standard AS 5102-2009.

After installation

5. Record the energy consumption of the new pump using the Save Power Kit from a Ku-ring-gai Library.

6. Complete the rebate application form (Form 2) and submit within the 21-day period.

7. Council officers will conduct inspections of installed pool pumps for a random number of the rebate applicants During these site visits, the Council officer will verify the following:

• Make and model of the pool pump installed.
• Power consumption of the pump.
• View original invoices.

Responsible disposal of old pumps

The following facilities can salvage materials from your old pumps and recycle them. To ensure responsible disposal of your pool pumps, you can drop them off free of charge provided 90% of the pump comprises of metal.

Save power kit

Each Ku-ring-gai Library has several of these save power kits available to borrow, which include a plug-in power meter and an instruction manual detailing how to use it to measure energy consumption of plug-in appliances. You can use this power meter to measure your pool pump consumption before and after you install a new pump.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact the Sustainability Team via email sustainability@krg.nsw.gov.au.

This program is funded by Ku-ring-gai Council’s Environmental Levy.