How To Make Your Pool Eco-Friendly

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These days, more and more of us are concerned about our impact on the environment.

From scorching summer temperatures to forest fires and intense flooding, it’s fair to say that the US has experienced its fair share of climate-related issues.

All of us can make a concerted effort to minimize our individual contributions to climate change, and there are a number of small but substantial changes pool owners can make to their backyard pool in order to make it more environmentally friendly. 

In this article, the team here at Claffey Pools will outline the ways you can ensure you have an eco-friendly swimming pool.   

Why your pool might not be eco-friendly

Before we examine the different ways you can achieve an eco-friendly swimming pool, let’s look at the most common ways some backyard pools might not currently be good for the environment and things you should look out for.

• Water loss

Due to evaporation, you may notice that your pool is losing water; this can reach anywhere between a quarter to a half of its water capacity. This means you’ll be refilling it fairly frequently, which can be wasteful and not sustainable.

• Chemical use

It’s worth bearing in mind that some chemicals used in the required maintenance of a pool may be harmful or toxic to the environment.

• Leaks

Even the smallest of pool leaks can see you lose water at an alarming rate. For instance, a leak that loses just one drop of water a second equates to around a 2,000-gallon loss a year. Remain vigilant and arrange regular maintenance checks from a professional to check for any leaks.

• Running equipment

Pool equipment, such as pumps, filters, vacuums, and more, require power to operate so be mindful of how much energy this is using up at your home. The latest technology uses more energy-saving mechanisms to help with this.

How to create an eco-friendly swimming pool 

So, now we know the ways that a pool can be unsustainable, how can you make your pool eco-friendly?

Use solar heating

Heating is one of the most unsustainable aspects of most swimming pools. A typical pool heater can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, but using solar options means you won’t have to worry about this. 

Plus, solar heating systems are more efficient at heating the pool’s water.    

Use fewer chemicals 

While chemicals, such as chlorine, are necessary in order to keep your pool clean and safe to swim in, using fewer or more eco-friendly pool chemicals is one way to reduce the harm they can do to the environment. 

For example, using bromine is one way to reduce your chlorine usage. And, frequently checking your chlorine levels will mean you won’t need to have to constantly shock the water with higher chlorine levels. 

Use a pool cover 

As mentioned above, evaporation is a leading cause of water loss in swimming pools. But, by using a pool cover you can reduce this by 95% while also helping to lower how much energy you use as it will keep heat inside the pool when it’s not in use.    

Change your pump

If your swimming pool pump is single speed, it may not be as efficient as it could be. Switching to a dual or variable speed pump means it will work at different speeds and rates as and when is necessary – therefore making it more efficient.  

As well as this, most people will just let their pool pump run continuously. However, by using a pool pump timer, or only running your pump at certain times of the day, you can help to save energy. 

Switch to LED lighting 

Not only does LED lighting offer clearer light, but they also last longer meaning they’re a more sustainable option. 

Use eco-friendly pool toys 

One of the best things about owning a swimming pool is the fun you can have splashing around in it with friends and family. Pool toys only enhance this, but they’re often made from unsustainable plastic. Luckily, there are many companies out there that provide eco-friendly pool toys that are completely plastic-free. So why not consider this next time you’re buying floaties or other toys?

If you’re located in Southlake Texas, Colleyville & Coppell or anywhere nearby and want to make your pool more sustainable, Claffey Pools is here to help. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped our customers across the region design and build their dream pools, offering a range of services from pool building to remodeling and everything in between. To find out more about what we do for you, get in touch with our team today.