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Swimming pools usually have very large energy and water consumption demands. Wall Decoration Pool Vinyl
In the winter, they need to be either heated, or drained and covered, which results in wasted water. In the summer, the filters are more active, and the water needs to be filled more often due to water losses through evaporation.
Considering the significant impact regular pools normally have on the environment, installing an Eco-friendly pool or improving an existing pool with environmentally friendly products is a great place to start.
Fortunately, there are new accessories and installation techniques that are geared towards making a pool less of a liability for Mother Earth.
A great alternative to lessen the impact in-ground pools have on the environment is through the use of swimming pool covers.
Solar bubble covers are Eco-friendly swimming pool covers, which reduce the evaporation rate by as much as 95%.
Solar covers are an increasingly popular way to heat pools and prolong the swimming season. By harnessing the sun’s energy, they can raise water temperatures by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, solar covers help to reduce evaporation and chemical loss, saving money on heating and chemicals. They also provide a barrier against dirt and debris, keeping the pool clean and ready to use.
While solar covers are not necessary for every pool, they can be a valuable addition for those who want to extend the swim season or save money on heating costs.
Another innovative and environmentally-friendly pool accessory is the solar-powered pump, which can filter the pool water with energy from the sun, as the name suggests.
Regular pool pumps can be replaced with a solar pump to effectively erase the electric power bill. These pumps are typically noise free, require no installation and have no carbon footprint, so they are overall winners that in time will pay for themselves.
Operating a swimming pool is certainly not cheap, but you can save some money by implementing the well-known LED lighting system.
In a nutshell, LED stands for light emitting diodes and these are some tiny bulbs that deliver quality light using up to five times less energy compared to incandescent bulbs. Pools must be properly illuminated during night time, and LED lighting is very durable (the system can last for decades, if maintained properly), cost-effective and appealing as well.
Moreover, installing solar panels is another wise choice: you can opt for waterproof solar panels that float on the surface of the water, or you can place the panels near the pool to gather solar energy throughout the day. Regardless of your choice, the LED lighting is certainly a wise investment!
One growing trend is to install natural swimming pools, which are more of a pond-inspired habitat that may blend natural surroundings with water recreation.
These Eco-friendly pools are now gaining popularity in the United States, although they have been popular in Europe for quite some time.
The process begins with digging a hole with sloping sides, as large or as deep as desired. Once the hole is dug, the bottom may be lined with compacted clay or a synthetic liner made of rubber instead of PVC.
Typically, a layer of gravel is placed over the liner before the hole is filled with water. Filtration in natural pools depends heavily on the use of plants.
Landscaping plays a pivotal role for your home, as it puts emphasis on the most important areas and they complement the overall decor of your home. When it comes to the elements around the pool, you basically have two options: you can either opt for glass pool fencing which is very stylish, safe and elegant, or you can go natural and try natural stone, indigenous plants, flowers and such.
The latter option is certainly a great way if you want to add a touch of “Eco-friendliness” to your backyard swimming pool.
Pool cleaning systems do not come cheap either, and that is a known fact.
However, they are a necessary investment as the water must be properly filtered, purified and bacteria-free in order to make it safe for you and your family. Until recently, chemicals and chlorine were the backbone of most pool cleaning systems, but now they are seldom used to clean them – instead, saline pool cleaning system are a very popular choice these days.
Basically, chlorine-free systems rely on the principles of liquid oxidation and copper ionization to clean and disinfect the pools, killing the germs and bacteria that are lurking in the water. Also, these systems prevent the formation of algae as well.
Last, but not least, heating the pool water is important even during the hot summer months, but this can be very expensive if you own a large pool.
This is where solar heating systems step in and allow you to heat water quickly, efficient and cost-effectively.
You do not need to use electricity or gas, which are expensive and have an impact on the environment – solar heating systems can be easily installed, they have a lifespan of 10-20 years and they are a great addition to every outdoor or indoor pool.
Moreover, these systems are known for require little to no maintenance in the long haul.
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for freshness and consistency.
Greener Ideal strives to help you live your life in more sustainable ways with green living tips, healthy recipes and commentary on the latest environment news. The views expressed by guest authors are their own and may not reflect those of Greener Ideal.
Speaking of saltwater pools, I think it’s also important to mention that salt in salt water pools is still generated into chlorine. But the difference is that there are no chloramines in saltwater, toxic chlorine by-products that cause an unpleasant pungent smell and irritate the eyes and skin. Thank you for sharing such helpful info!
Greener Ideal helps you live in more sustainable ways with green living tips, commentary on the latest environment news, green product reviews, healthy recipes, and more.
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