Abstract: An energy saving system and method for heating water are provided. The method for controlling the costs of heating water includes the steps of: using heat pumps to heat water in a heating tank during periods of low rate electricity to a pre-determined maximum temperature; maintaining the temperature of the water in the heating tank between a pre-determined minimum temperature and the pre-determined maximum temperature; transferring the heated water to a storage tank; maintaining the temperature of the water in the storage tank within a pre-determined temperature range; and supplying the heated water under pressure to consumers, the heated water having a temperature within the pre-determined temperature range.

Abstract: A heat retaining cover and a method for retaining heat in swimming pools is provided. In one embodiment, the cover includes a plurality of interlocking floatation panels, at least one pair of hinges attached to one edge of each adjacent interlocking floatation panel, a second pair of hinges attached to the opposite edge of of the reverse face of each adjacent interlocking floatation panel, a second hinge having an aperture formed therein, the second edge attached to attached to one edge of each adjacent interlocking floatation panel, and a length of flexible material threaded through the aperture of each second hinge, thereby to allow the plurality of interlocked plurality of interlocking floatation panels to be extended and retracted.