How To Make My Swimming Pool Eco-Friendly

Understanding, and caring for the environment is becoming increasingly important for the average homeowner. In fact, a study conducted by Eurocell in the UK showed that 25-40 year olds are constantly looking for new sustainable features to lower their carbon footprint. For many people, having a pool is a way to improve your connection with nature and to transform a backyard into an oasis, but they can come at a cost. The good news is that there are plenty of eco-friendly switches available to help pool owners have less of an impact on the environment.

Here at Pool Builders Pool Shop, we understand the importance of environmental awareness and want to help make sure that you can enjoy your pool – guilt-free. Read on to learn more about the DOs & DONTs of making your pool eco-friendly.

Making Your Swimming Pool Eco-Friendly

DO: Install Solar Heating

If you want a big-ticket win when it comes to making your swimming pool eco-friendly, try switching to a solar heating system. By harnessing the power of natural heat, which we’ve got plenty of here in Australia, these systems are great for keeping your pool enjoyable all year round, without needing to wrack up a huge power bill! We’ll discuss why it’s important to make use of your pool all year later on, but for now, start considering what type of solar heater you would need for your swimming pool.

DO: Use a Pool Cover

One of the best ways to improve the eco-friendliness of your swimming pool is to avoid filling it too often. It’s not really up to us when the pool starts to evaporate, but using a pool cover can really help improve your chances. Not only does evaporation prevention reduce water consumption, it also lowers the amount of chemicals you need to use, since they’re evaporating less too! It’s a win, win.

DO: Use LED Lighting

LED lightbulbs tend to last around 25% longer than regular pool lighting, and they also cut back majorly on energy consumption! They use about 6 watts of power to create the same light as a 100-watt halogen bulb. Likewise, LED lightbulbs don’t release any heat and can be automated by sensor or timer if you like to ensure that you’re being the most effective with your energy use.

DON’T: Empty Your Pool Water in Winter

The average pool can take anywhere from 30,000 litres to 75,000 litres of water, which is a LOT, especially if you’re having to empty and refill it every year. One of the best ways to keep your swimming pool eco-friendly is to stop emptying it! In winter, opt to cover it, or even choose a solar heating system (as mentioned earlier) and make use of it all year round.

DON’T: Run Your Pump Constantly

Another big ticket switch to help make your swimming pool eco-friendly is ensuring that you have the right sized pump that’s only running when it needs to be. Every pool should run about 8 hours a day, so make sure your timers are set to stop once that limit is reached. A few minutes, or hours either way can really add up.

DON’T: Use Excessive Chemicals

Chemicals can have a negative effect on the environment, but sometimes it’s more energy efficient to use them than not. Don’t ban chemicals all together, because if not done correctly, you may rack up an even bigger service fee when your pool water goes sour. To maintain a safe balance we recommend converting your swimming pool to natural alternatives (salt, minerals, etc.) is going to have a huge impact on your eco-friendliness! Choosing options like Mineral Swim is a great start if you’re trying to make your swimming pool eco-friendly.

Visit Pool Builders Pool Shop

So, there you have it – some of the do’s and dont’s of making your swimming pool eco-friendly. If you’re looking for expert advice about your swimming pool, drop on in to Pool Builders Pool Shop at 347 Ipswich Rd, Annerley and let our team of professionals help you out!