Going Green: Creating An Energy Efficient Pool

“Going Green” What’s Your Perspective?

No matter what your perspective of “Going Green” is - whether it’s recycling water bottles you drink from, or incorporating nothing but planet friendly and/or organic products in your life - it all comes down to this; Let’s save the natural resources of our planet, and money, at the same time!

How “Green” Is Your Pool?

Do you have a “Green Pool”? Are you using environmentally friendly products whenever possible in order to obtain that crystal clear pool, or is your water actually green? 

If it is the latter of the two, the fact is, when your pool turns green or yellow from lack of adding chemicals, you are hurting the environment because now, in order to get your pool back in shape, you will have to use excessive chemicals to balance the pool. You will also be cleaning your filter more frequently than before until the water clears. By doing this, excess chemical residue is deposited into the ground.

When you decide to be environmentally conscious, here are some things you’ll want to think about:

• Respecting the overall environment in, and around, your pool
• Reducing the consumption of resources such as chlorine and chemical additives
• Saving money by saving energy
• Recycling product containers and waste

If you have the extra money, here are some items that will save you money in the long run while impacting the environment.

• Dual speed pool pump motors
• Automatic controls for turning equipment on and off.
• Solar Sun Rings and Solar Energy to heat your pool.
• Recyclable products
• Plastic reusable cups which are safer around the pool as they don’t break like glass does.

Saving Energy

The foremost concern of pool owners is saving money. Whether it is in chemical use or heating the water of the pool, there are things that are easily overlooked that cost you hundreds of dollars (or more) every year in energy consumption. How old is your pump motor? Does it make noise when it is running? If so, this means the motor is running harder and using more electricity and as the gears and bearings slowly burn up, harmfully gasses are released into the atmosphere. A properly running pump and filter system is essential in saving energy and products. Here are some important factors: 

Maximum Filter Efficiency

Cartridge Filters

How old is YOUR filter cartridge? An ineffective filter cartridge causes dirt to pass through the filter elements which means the water never really gets clean. By not taking this factor into consideration, you may think the answer is to let the pump run longer and add more chemicals.By changing a filter cartridge every year, you are assured that your pool is staying clean with a minimal amount of stress on the system. Although many manufactures state that a filter can last upwards of 2 years or more, as a professional pool technician, I feel strongly that it is minimal investment every year to ensure your pool is in good order. Choose a holiday or birthday as a reminder every year to replace your filter.

DE Filters

Pool filters that use a DE cleaning system do a wonderful job of keeping your water sparkling clear. This is because a clay based powder (Diatomaceous Earth) is put into the system and absorbs finer particles of debris. Unfortunately, when the filter is cleaned you will see clouds of grey residue coming from the waste hose depositing potentially hazardous waste water on your lawn, in the street, or worse yet.. into public waterways.

NOTE: There is a common misconception that DE powder is OK for the environment because the term Diatomaceous Earth seems to imply it is a natural product, which it is not. Add into the factor that there are potential dangers of breathing this powder, and suddenly your perspective of a DE filter system changes drastically.

However, here is good news! Purifiber® is a high performance cellulous filter media that is safe to use and easy to handle, and uses ¼ the amount used of DE when used as a DE replacement. This biodegradable “4 X’s concentrated” product offers superior water clarity and longer filtering cycles while using less material, saving you time, and money. Plus, this non-toxic product does not present any breathing hazards when handling. 

Cleaning Your Filter - Saving Energy

How often do you clean your filter? A dirty filter puts excessive work load on your motor while slowly deteriorating the filter elements. Cleaning a filter once a month typically takes only a few minutes and assures you, once again, an energy efficient pool.

Where Is The Filter Water Going?

What is a simple process to most pool techs and owners, it takes a certain level of consciousness to realize that every time a filter is cleaned, the dirty residue is deposited onto the ground, potentially damaging the environment. If you think about it, dirty water can contain any number of the following: Sun tan lotions with an oil base, chemically colored hair and clumps of dead bacteria to name a few.

Chlorine Pools: If chlorine and acid levels are high, you can damage the grass, plants and flowers around the areas you clean the filter

Salt Water Pools: A high salt level in water can damage grass and areas around the waste hose. Although plants living in coastal regions located on or near an ocean may be accustomed to salt air, salt water will damage the root system.