Everywhere you look people are coming up with Green alternatives - ways of doing things that are better for the environment or waste fewer resources - and the people in the swimming pool industry are no exception.
Any pool can be modified to be more Green.
Picking a Pump There are several factors that determine how environmentally friendly your pump is.
The first is whether or not it is on a timer.
If not, you are probably wasting huge amounts of energy.
The second factor is whether your pump has different speed settings.
Having a variable speed pump increases your control over the amount of energy you use.
Some states (including California) require pools by law to have variable speed pumps, indicating just how important this energy-saver is.
It is best to think of it as a long-term, high-paying investment.
Keeping Your Pool Warm You should use electric pumps to heat your pool for maximum efficiency.
Also, you should know the Coefficient of Performance (COP) rating of your pump before you purchase it.
You should buy the highest-rated pump you can afford.
The sun provides this planet with most of its energy, and making sure your pool is getting plenty of unobstructed sunlight is the best way to increase its energy-efficiency.
Retaining the heat you have transferred to the water in your pool at night is just as essential.
Many people think pool covers are an unnecessary expense meant simply to keep leaves out of the pool, but the energy you save using a cover at night will be more than what you would save bringing reusable bags to the store.
Because of the importance of the sun in warming your pool, it is much more efficient and effective to put a fence around your pool than to screen it in.
Bags of Chemicals vs.
a Generator Anyone who has a pool knows the hassle of dealing with chemicals like chlorine and shock treatment.
It is much cheaper (in the long run) and much more efficient to equip your pool with a chlorine generator: a device that uses electrolysis to convert salt into chloride and sodium.
Having either algae or too much chlorine in your pool can be dangerous, and a chlorine generator prevents both in a more environmentally sound way.
The Importance of Hydraulics One of the most important things in building an efficient pool is having someone who knows the proper pipe-size that will allow a maximum efficiency of circulation with minimal wear and tear on the pipes and pump.
Having someone with a strong understanding of hydraulics is essential in assuring that your pool achieves its maximum cost- and energy-efficiency.
Cleaning Since the flow of water is important to the efficiency of your pool, it should be obvious that cleaning your pool is also important, not just for appearance's sake, but also for energy-efficiency.
Keeping organic cotton bags or organic cotton totes around the pool for people to put their belongings and/or trash in will help keep your pool free of debris.
Also, make sure that all inflatable rafts and other pool toys are taken out of the pool when they are not in use.