subject: Different ways to incorporate green technologies into your swimming pool [print this page] Different ways to incorporate green technologies into your swimming pool
If you want to live a greener life, its about more than simply recycling cans and bottles; it's about reducing the amount of energy we use in all of our household appliances. When it comes to swimming pool and spa owners, there are many alternatives to going green and being environmentally friendly with your pool.
Using variable flow technology you can save up to $100 a month on your utility bills. Variable flow technology is an energy efficient pump that moves water at a slower rate of speed, using the smallest amount of energy necessary to keep the water flowing through the pool.
There are myriad steps you can take to reduce the energy consumption and impact your pool has on the environment and another plus is that you'll be saving green in your wallet!
Here are a few things to look into with your pool contractor if you're looking to go green:
Heating system: There are three ways you can heat your pool gas, electric and solar. Gas heats quickly for spas but isn't recommended for swimming pools because of the cost. For efficiency, electric heat pumps are at the top of the green chain. Many states require electric heat pumps to have a high C.O.P. rating (coefficient of performance this term is analogous to the SEER ratings that air conditioning units carry. The higher the C.O.P. the better. There does need to be heat in the air because the heat pump uses the heat from the air to warm the pool. In the colder areas of the country, a heat pump might not make sense. The last option for heating your swimming pool is through solar heating. There is nothing better for your wallet than using the warmth of the sun to heat the swimming pool.
Whichever swimming pool heating method you choose, having a pool cover is crucial to keeping in the heat the pool has generated during the day once the sun goes down.
Pool pump: The pump should be set on a timer. In the winter the running time for the pump can be reduced to save money on your power bill. For a fiberglass pool, you'll run the pump about four hours a day and for a gunite pool, it will run about eight hours.
Variable speed pumps: These pumps run at a lower speed circulating, sanitizing and filtering your water. You can move it to a higher speed if the need arises.
Pool pipe installation: If you're in the process of building a new pool as your contractor about the hydraulics of drain-free pools. With these pools you can more efficiently circulate the water to reduce wear on the pump.
Cleaning systems: Check into a chlorine (salt system) generator. For gunite pool owners, a chlorine generator should be installed. A chlorine system takes sale and through electrolysis makes the sodium and chloride and that's what sanitizes the water. The demand for chlorine in gunite pools makes the investment in salt system pay for itself in several years. For fiberglass pools, they use less chlorine but can still be a candidate for a salt system generator.
General upkeep.
Cleaning your skimmer and filter also help keep the pool functioning at a more efficient level. With these parts clean, the filtration and sanitization systems work more efficiently without putting undue strain on the pump. If you're looking into these measures for your swimming pool, why not make a trip through your house and change the filters in your furnace and air conditioning units, swap your light bulbs for more efficient ones and reap the benefits of being more energy efficient.
