Swimming pools are one of the most luxurious features that a home can have. As an aspect of the house that can cause a drain of the household budget, it can affect the environment too. The chemicals necessary to keep the pool clean, the energy required to heat and maintain its temperature, and the amount of water needed to fill and top up the pool all have negative consequences to the environment.
With climate change becoming more prominent worldwide, how we contribute to the environment is a significant concern for all of us. Many homeowners are now interested in how they can conserve valuable resources for future generations.
As a matter of fact, your swimming pool could be a crucial part of this. Using less energy and chemicals can make your pool less harmful to the environment. However, you can take critical steps to preserve the planet whilst still appreciating having your own swimming pool in your backyard. Follow the advice below on ensuring that your pool is as eco-friendly as possible.
Pool heating options
You may want to speak to an expert to find what heating option best suits your pool. The best way to heat a swimming pool considerably depends on your budget, your preferred energy source, and the size of your pool. Your location can also influence your choice due to the amount of sunlight your pool gets and the ambient temperature each day.
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Solar pool heater
A solar pool heater installation is a very desirable choice in Australia and is one of the most cost-effective uses of solar energy. Using sunlight as a clean resource gives the perfect opportunity to release zero carbon emissions.
Automated controls allow you to set your chosen times of operation and temperature of the way. Many systems can further reduce energy wastage and save you even more money.
Solar pool heaters utilise the sun’s natural energy through a solar collector. The pool water gets pumped through multiple tubes over the solar collector and returns to the pool at a warmer temperature.
Hire a professional for your solar pool heater installation to guarantee the equipment’s proper and safe connection. Incorrect installation can lead to inefficient use of the solar pool heating system. Before installation, factors such as local building regulations, code requirements, solar resources, and safety issues need to be discussed with a professional.
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Invest in a solar blanket or thermal pool cover
Simply covering a pool when it is not in use is a highly effective way to reduce your carbon footprint – invest in a solar blanket for pool. A swimming pool cover can reduce evaporation by up to 95% and assists with the heat retention of the water. Solar blankets for pools have air pockets that absorb heat from the sun and transfers it to the water to heat your pool.
An alternative is to look for thermal covers with the highest thermal resistance. Thermal pool covers can also prevent water evaporation whilst withstanding intense UV rays. They have substantial insulating properties and last longer – they can retain heat overnight, which will help you save on heating costs.
Additionally, covering your pool can help keep out the dirt and debris entering the pool, bringing in bacteria. A cleaner pool entails that less chlorine needs to be used, and the pool filter does not have to work as hard.
Pool covers are one of the cheapest and most highly-effective heating systems. Not only that, but they are so simple that anyone can install them. Overall, if you are after the benefits of a pool cover and are on a budget, pool covers are a perfect choice.
Self-cleaning systems
Chemicals are usually necessary when cleaning your swimming pool which can be very dangerous and harsh to the environment. To make your pool more environmentally friendly, chemicals need to be minimised as much as possible.
In-floor cleaning systems are a great solution to keep the pool clean without the use of chemicals. The system works by using pop up cleaners to remove debris or dirt from the pool. These pop-up cleaners don’t necessarily remove the debris themselves, but they are in control of spraying pressurised water in a particular direction. This pressure then sends the dirt and debris to the pool drain, where it can be removed.
Furthermore, self-cleaning systems switch off automatically when cleaning is complete. No energy will be forfeited as compared if you were to leave a pool cleaning system running when it is not needed. Therefore, a self-cleaning system is a definite addition if you wish your pool to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
LED pool lighting
Implementing eco-friendly accessories, such as LED lights rather than the traditional halogen globes, is another excellent way to make your backyard pool greener. As a result, LED lights are more efficient, cleaner and cheaper to run.
Halogen bulbs dissipate lots of energy by producing heat. LED lights use way less energy than halogen bulbs as LED lamps utilise only six watts of power to make the same amount of light as a 100-watt halogen bulb. Pool owners can benefit from this as LED lamps do not need to be changed as often as halogen bulbs.
Most modern pools in Australia are installed with LED lights as a standard. Nevertheless, if you have an older pool that uses halogen lighting, it can easily be converted to LED by a qualified electrician.
Live the eco-pool life!
When thinking of updating your pool to be more sustainable, inform yourself about water and the power required to run them. Identify what equipment uses up energy and generates high water waste so that you can address them to find solutions. In addition, various technology and pool heating options are readily available to make your pool more eco-friendly.
Maximise the eco-friendliness of your pool by installing new features as they are released on the market. Stay up to date with any environmental news to investigate further and different ways that you can grow your pool’s sustainability.
Don’t just settle for making the pool itself eco-friendly– construct the pool in an eco-friendly manner! Check out the infographic below for tips on sustainable construction!
Infographic provided by Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc., a soil stabilization company
