Going Green: Chicago Eco-Friendly Pools

Helpful Tips for Your Eco-Friendly Pool

Reduce long-term headaches of pool ownership by going green!

When swimming season starts in Chicago, it is essential for pool owners to recognize the harmful bacteria that can breed in swimming pools and other undesirable consequences of pool ownership.

But, you can end or substantially reduce many headaches pool owners run into by making your pool green – not from algae, but from sustainable pool practices! Having a green pool means you have an eco-friendly pool. The following are some ways that you can protect folks swimming in your Chicago pool as well as the environment.

Read on for more helpful tips.

Tip One – Substitute a Chlorine Alternative

Chlorine is an excellent way to rid swimming pools of bacteria, but as a chemical it is harsh. Pool chemicals enter human bodies through the skin and respiratory system some swimmers develop rashes or breathing problems. There are ecosystem friendly alternatives such as hydrogen peroxide or oxygen. Talk to your pool contractor about what alternatives you have.

Tip Two – Think About the Pump

During the summer season a typical backyard California pool can use enough energy to power an entire home for three months.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

The California Consumer Energy Center supports recommendations from the California Swimming Pool Industry Energy Conservation Task Force. Their recommendations include:

  • Reduce filter operating times to no fewer than four hours per day during the summer and two to three hours per day during the winter. This reduces annual electric consumption by 40 percent to 50 percent.
  • Normal and heavier use may require more hours of filtration per day.
  • Should water clarity or chemical imbalance indicate inadequate filtration, immediately operate the filter until acceptable water clarity has again been established.
  • If an additional imbalance is still indicated, increase filter operating time in one-half hour increments until the water remains clear and properly balanced chemically.
  • When the pool is heavily used, it is recommended that the pool be operated manually and that the filtration system be run longer under such conditions.
  • Use a two-speed pool pump.

Seasonal Savings: Another way that you can save money is by taking advantage of seasonal changes in temperature. When your pool water is cold, algae and bacteria do not multiply as fast. This means that you may be able to get away with running your pool pump significantly less during the winter months than during the summer months.

Tip Three – Automate Your Pool!

Sure, you can use a mechanical timer to turn your pool pump on and off, but, it is far less efficient than using smart year-round pool controls that take benefit from seasonal temperature differences. These types of controls run your pool pump more in the summer than in cooler months.

Tip Four – Cover Up Your Chicago Pool

When your pool is not in use, cover it with a cover made to prevent heat loss. What you get is a reduction in evaporation of up to 90 percent. A pool cover also reduces chemical use by 35 – 60 percent. Wait, there’s more. Using a pool cover often extends the swimming season for pool owners who use a cover.

If you want to make your pool more energy efficient, use a solar pool cover. Many pool supply stores call them solar blankets, but either way they are effective. Actually, they are nearly perfect for sunny climates as they soak up the sun’s heat and warm the pool while not allowing the warm water to evaporate. Using a solar cover also extends the swimming season and increase water temperatures by as much as 15 degrees.

See – you can make your swimming pool green, not from algae but from proper maintenance and choice of equipment. That makes your pool eco-friendly, more comfortable to use, less expensive to run, and even extends your pool season.