Many people are trying to lead more sustainable and eco-friendly lives, and there are lots of things you can do in your own home to cut down your carbon footprint and be kinder to the environment.
The swimming pool is a great place to start, and with just a few alterations, you can make your pool much more environmentally friendly, as well as cutting down on maintenance and energy costs. This guide will show you the top tips to make your pool more sustainable.
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When Maintaining Your Pool
First, let’s look at some ways you can adjust your pool maintenance plans and methods to become more sustainable, using eco-friendly options and smart cleaning systems to keep your pool safe, without impacting the environment.
Use eco-friendly technologies
One of the first tips to make your pool more eco-friendly is to invest in some eco-friendly gadgets and pool accessories. For example, instead of using halogen lights to illuminate your pool, switch to LED lighting, which is far more efficient, with bulbs that last much longer.
Make it water neutral
Switching to a water-neutral pool is also a super way to make your backyard pool more sustainable. With a water-neutral pool, various water-harvesting tanks and systems are used to gather rainwater to keep the pool filled up, reducing your reliance on the local water supply.
Use a cartridge filter
Every pool needs a filter system to clean away dirt and debris from the water, and a cartridge filter is one of the most eco-friendly systems you can choose. With a good cartridge filter system in place, you won’t need to use as many chemicals to clean your pool.
Install self-cleaning systems
A self-cleaning system is an excellent accessory to invest in for your pool. As the name suggests, these devices allow the pool to essentially clean itself, promoting better water circulation and reducing the number of chemicals and treatments you have to use. This can also cut down on your maintenance costs in a big way.
Invest in a thermal pool cover
Huge amounts of energy are used heating pools up, but if you buy a thermal pool cover or ‘bubble blanket’ to cover the pool when it’s not in use, you can trap heat in the water and keep it warm for the next day. This should save you money and reduce your energy usage.
Use an energy-saving pool pump
All pools need pumps to keep the water flowing nicely, but there are lots of different pump models to choose from. To make your pool more efficient and sustainable, opt for a pool pump that is highly energy-efficient, using less energy while still providing the performance you require. A variable speed pump is a great choice, as they use way less power overall.
If Building a New Pool
If you’re building a brand new pool, there are even more options available to you in terms of making it efficient and sustainable. Let’s take a look at some methods and techniques you might like to add to your new pool plans.
Saltwater pool
First, you might like to consider a saltwater pool. There are many advantages to saltwater pools, and a lot of swimmers say that they find them more comfortable. Notably, they use way less chlorine, making them much better for the surrounding environment.
Shelter from the wind
It also helps to think about the position of your pool. Try to choose a spot that is well-sheltered against the wind, as this will help to keep the water warmer and cleaner, with less chance of leaves and dirt being blown in. You could also erect a fence around the pool and paint it with some water-based paint to provide a windbreak.
Enclosed pool
An enclosed pool can also be a great option for sustainability purposes. Enclosed pools keep their temperature much better than exposed pools, reducing the amount of energy you have to use to heat the water. Plus, there’s less risk of dirt and debris getting into the water, so less maintenance for you to worry about.
Use native plants
You should also think about plant life around your pool. Make use of native plants that are low-maintenance to decorate the space. Or, for an even more cost-effective option, install some artificial grass around the pool.
Conclusion
Having a pool is a lot of fun, but many pools are very unfriendly to the environment, with lots of wasted water and harmful chemical cleaning products. Fortunately, as this guide has shown, there are some simple and effective changes you can start making today to make your pool much more sustainable in no time.
