Factors to Consider to Achieve an Eco-Friendly Pool

A swimming pool is undoubtedly one of the true luxury installations for any home. But for many homeowners who are looking at having a pool built, there is an increasingly important factor: the environmental impact. Some have asked whether it is truly possible to have an eco-friendly pool, after all, a pool is a purely recreational feature that requires a lot of water and a significant amount of energy. Here we take a look at some of the factors you will need to consider if you are concerned about the environmental repercussions of having a pool installed.

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Unnecessary use of water

Of course, one of the most challenging factors in a pool ever being eco-friendly is the fact that it uses a significant quantity of water for what is effectively recreation. This is true, however, it is important to note that while a swimming pool does necessitate the use of a lot of water, it may not be as much as you think. Once the pool has been initially filled, it only needs to be topped up and the amount of water that is used is typically not excessive.

Perhaps the key issue here is not so much whether using the water should put you off, but that you opt for a pool that is as small as possible for your needs. You might assume, for example, that if you want to use your pool for exercise, it will need to be long enough to swim lengths. However, with technology such as Fastlane by Endless Pools, it may be the case that you only need a small pool. Fastlane technology propels a jet of water into the pool which provides you with a current to swim against. This means that you can swim for as long as you like without being confined by space.

Chemical vs. natural swimming pools

Another issue with the environmental impact of pools is the fact that chemicals have to be used to clean the water. This can be problematic as the chemicals used to clean pools are caustic and can be very damaging to plant life if they are allowed to leak. This can be very hazardous to both your garden and the environment generally.

One way that pool builders are finding to get around the issue of using chemicals is through the use of so-called natural pools. Natural pools mimic a stream or river environment through the use of plants as filters. These are growing enormously in popularity and have become more affordable to install than ever before.

Heating

It is natural to want a heated pool. After all, the temperature is so changeable and unpredictable, it is extremely useful to have a heater to keep the water a constant temperature. However, this comes with the downside of the expense and environmental impact of running the heater any time you want a pool with pleasant water to swim in.

For most pool owners a heater is a necessity, so how do you balance this with the need to be eco-friendly? The truth is there are actually lots of things you can do. For example, you should pay careful attention when you come to have your pool constructed to which material you use. The material used can make a huge difference to the insulation qualities.

It is also a very good idea to invest in a pool cover as these can help to hold in the heat and reduce the amount of time that you need to spend with your pool heater on.

Combining with green technology

If you are concerned about the environmental impact of having a pool it can be a great idea to combine the installation of the pool with other green technology. For example, there is a huge variety of renewable heating option available that would be easy to install at the same time that you are having your pool construction.

Solar panels are an obvious choice but there are also lesser known options such as ground source heat pumps and solar evacuated heat tubes that can do a fantastic job. Before you have your pool installed, talk to the constructors to discuss renewable options for heating.

Read more: 5 tips to build an eco-friendly home without breaking the bank

Written by Dakota Murphey. July 13, 2018

Dakota Murphey has a passion for interior design and home improvement. She's always looking to experiment with new and creative DIY project she can get her claws into. Find out what else she's been up to on Twitter: Dakota_Murphey