So it is summer time, and I am sure that many people love to spend weekends or even their evenings after work swimming to cool off. Unfortunately for me, that isn’t an easy thing to do being that I am not one of the fortunate ones to own a pool. But, for those of you that do, I found some easy ways to go green on Earth911.
1. Got Salt?
Switching to salt water instead of chlorine water pools can help save on money and maintenance. Since you won’t be using the chemicals it is also more gentle on you skin and helps to keep the pool algae-free.
2. Reusable Containers:
Don’t know what to do with all of the containers you go through owning a pool? Check with you curbside pick up first to see if you can recycle them. Unfortunately, being that a lot of these containers hold hazardous materials, it is very likely that they will say no. In this case you can find out when the next Household Hazard Waste event is occurring and drop-off these containers then or even consider buying pool supplies from a company that utilizes reusable containers. Try looking at HASA, Inc for these types of items.
3. Pump it:
When buying a pump always look for the Applied Research Laboratories stamp, because this means the pump meats the U.S. standards for energy saving. Also, buying a timer for both the pump and the filter will ensure that they will run only when you want them to.
4. Check for Leaks:
A good way to check for leaks is to mark the water level of your pool with a grease pencil and then check it 24 hours later. If you do have a leak make sure to get it fixed quickly to avoid wasting water. You can also refill your pool with captured rain water to cut down on water waste.
5. Go Solar:
Switching to Solar Energy will save you money and the environment at the same time. One pool alone emits three to 10 tons of carbon dioxide each swimming season. Eliminate that and it’s like not driving your car for a year!
Now, getting solar is about $1000 more than the annual cost of heating a pool traditionally, however, solar is maintaince free. So in the long run solar is costing you less.
6. Cover up :
You can always get a solar cover, if you can not afford to install a solar system. A cover will reduce debris going into the pool, which in turn will cut down on maintenance fees. Automatic and semi-automatic pool covers rely on electrical motors, defeating the purpose of saving energy. So make sure you look into covers that you manually take off.
7. Add Some Green:
If you add landscaping around the pool it can help on days that are windy by acting like a barrier. Also, plants can absorb some of the carbon dioxide emitted from common pool chemicals.
We switched our pool to salt and discovered an interesting side effect…it attracts snails. The salinity is just enough that snails love it, but aren’t harmed by it. Go figure. You dump salt on a snail and it shrivels, but just enough and they love it. Nothing like finding millions of snail larva swimming in your pool.
It may not be as green but we’re sticking with chlorine. Hey look I rhymed.
Thanks for that bit of information, I had no idea that snails would be attracted to a salt water pool. That is crazy.
Eeewwww snails totally freak me out… but I do think it would be cool to swim in a salt water pool.
In Maui, the snails were the size of baseballs! The first time I saw one I mistook it for a sea shell! It was gross but kinda cool all at the same time.
Not sure about saving on maintenance, when we had our pool built, the builder did not recommend salt water, he said the equipment doesn’t last as long.
Speaking of finding things that don’t belong in pools, every spring we have at least a half dozen baby bunnies meet their demise in our pool.
THUMPER!!!!!!!
Awww, Nola that is so sad. Poor little bunnies.
That makes sense. That makes perfect sense. When we were visiting the USS Arizona Memorial in Oahu, they spoke about the only reason it is preserved as well as it is, is because Pearl Harbor is a fresh water harbor – so you don’t have the salt deteriorating the ship as fast.
Oh, how devastating… those poor baby bunnies. Do you have a cover for your pool? To keep debris (and bunnies) out of it?
Hey Leanne,
I wanted to point out to that a salt water pool actually uses the same chemistry as a chlorinated pool. Saline pools use electrolysis to turn salt (sodium chloride) into chlorine, which then disinfects the pool the same way as a “normal” chlorine pool would. Chlorine is effectively disinfects throughout the entire pool, killing germs as it comes into contact with them. If you have any questions I would be more than happy to answer them.
Best Regards,
Jeff
Jeff Sloan
American Chemistry Council
So then which is better? Or does it not matter?
I know, I know, bunnies are cute unless they are part of your everyday life…eating your grass and other plants, and leaving poo-poo pellets all over the place. I have no beef with the bunnies and try to live in harmony with them, because they inhabited the area before my house and pool did. Besides, they are an important food source for the coyotes, bobcats and hawks!