By Andrea Davis | RISMEDIA, Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Pools are perfect for summertime fun, but not all pools are great for the environment. Chemicals and other pool-related substances can negatively affect the landscape around you. Maintaining a pool can also get expensive and potentially impact your utility bills. Here are some eco-friendly pool alternatives to keep your bills down and the environment safe.
1) Natural pools
Natural pools are chemical-free, low-tech and affordable alternatives to conventional models. You can build a natural pool with gravel and clay instead of concrete and fiberglass. Aquatic plants keep the water clean instead of chlorine or a filtering system. Plants are also a natural purification system that introduces oxygen and good bacteria into the water. You can also include additional elements like green pool roofs and vertical gardens to increase the health of your pool.
2) Moss-filtered pools
Moss-filtered pools cut down on the need for chemicals like chlorine. Having moss in your pool also reduces water use and decreases how often you need to backwash the pool for cleaning. According to statistics from the University of Maryland, moss systems reduce chemical usage by 40 percent, water consumption by 75 percent, and save about $6,700 annually in bills.
3) Saltwater pools
Like the ocean, saltwater pools use a saline composition to keep water clean without chemicals. Saltwater pools use a mixture of chlorine and table salt to create electrolysis, which gets rid of algae and bacteria. If you want a mild saline pool, clean your chlorine cell once a year to prevent calcium buildup and add salt to the water once a month. Reducing chlorine usage helps to minimize overall chemical consumption.
4) Ozone sterilization
Installing an ozone sterilization system is another enviro-friendly method of cleaning your pool. An ozone system uses electricity to convert oxygen into bacteria-destroying ozone. These systems can reduce the need for chemicals by at least 80 percent, if not altogether. This will save on your pool maintenance costs and help keep the environment clean.
5) Efficient heating
Efficient condensing boilers can help to cut down your pool heating costs by almost 20 percent. You can use alternative heating methods like solar blankets and energy-efficient heat pumps to keep your pool warm. Enviro-friendly heating methods can lower your bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Efficient heating isn’t a type of pool, but it’s a simple way to help your pool remain friendly to the environment and your wallet.