Happy Eco News 6 Earth-Friendly Hacks for a Crystal-Clear Pool This Summer
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6 Earth-Friendly Hacks for a Crystal-Clear Pool This Summer
As summer draws closer, frequently using your pool is imminent. Sometimes, traditional pool maintenance uses harsh chemicals, which are bad for the environment. Fortunately, there are sustainable, affordable and earth-friendly ways to maintain a crystal clear pool.
Here are six eco-friendly hacks to help you enjoy a clean pool.
1. Use a Pool Cover
Having debris and dirt is probably one of the most unattractive looks for a pool. Even if your water is sparkling, these unwanted scattered pieces of waste can stain the pool. There’s a simple solution to avoid these risks — use a pool cover.
While most say they require more labor to remove and replace, spending a few extra minutes doing so can help your pool and your pocket in the long run. Using a pool cover helps keep your pool clean and assists the environment because it slows down the process of evaporation, which is the biggest source of energy loss. A cover can also reduce chemical consumption up to 60%.
Plastic covers can last up to two seasons, whereas covers like vinyl, UV-stabilized polyethylene or polypropylene last longer, and you’ll spend less money constantly replacing them. On hot days, UV-stabilized polyethylene may be your best option because it’s a good defence against sunlight damage.
2. Get a Saltwater Pool System
One of the best ways to disinfect your pool is to use chlorine. Chlorine concentration should be 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L, with an average of 2 mg/L. The benefit of chlorine is that it minimizes health risks by eliminating bacteria, but you have to leave the pool alone for up to two days so the levels of it can drop.
While chlorine kills bacteria, it can also harm you if you have allergies or the concentration level is too high. If it’s higher than the recommended level, it can irritate your eyes and skin, and accidentally swallowing enough water can cause diarrhea.
A safer alternative is using a saltwater chlorinator. It uses electrolysis, which dissolves salt into chlorine using an electric current to disinfect the pool. The system provides the same kind of benefits as chlorine, with fewer harsh effects on your skin and the environment. A saltwater pool system is more expensive than using chlorine, but it reduces the cost of pool operations and smells better.
3. Remove the Algae With UV Sanitation
Algae is one of the biggest pool culprits, preventing your pool from having that crystal-clear look. One of the known ways to remove algae is using chlorine, but it has a negative impact on the environment, which begs the question — What else can you use that is eco-friendly? A safe and effective solution is ultraviolet (UV) sanitation.
UV sanitation uses a UVC light to kill harmful microorganisms. The process can eliminate up to 99.99% of bacteria and algae in the pool and on surfaces.
A UV sanitation system goes into the pool’s filtration system. It contains a lamp and a polymer housing designed to let large volumes of water pass through the filtration system, where the light kills the bacteria and any living microorganism. The housing also protects swimmers from UV ray exposure. Once the water passes through the rays, it filters back into the pool.
This system is light on your wallet, easy to maintain and safe for the environment. You can rest assured that your pool is crystal clear and your family is healthy because they’re not exposed to algae in the water.
4. Install an Ozone Pool System
Similar to UV sanitation, an ozone generator creates ozone by exposing oxygen to an electric charge. The ozone gas is then released into the pool’s circulation system, where it mixes with the water. When ozone comes into contact with the contaminants, it kills them 3,000 times faster than chlorine. While the system may still need chlorine, ozonation reduces the need by 60% to 90%.
An ozone generator is also safe to use. It automatically switches itself off in the event of a loss of power to the pool’s pump, high or low ozone current, a loss of cooling capacity, or leaks or failure of oxygen-generating equipment.
5. Try Vinegar for Stubborn Stains
If you use natural products, you’re likely to have vinegar in your cupboards. It contains acetic acid, which is strong enough to kill some bacteria. If you want a clean pool, adding vinegar to your filters is a good idea. White vinegar is the most applicable one to use because it adds no color as it goes through your filters, but another option is apple cider vinegar.
Vinegar also proves useful when cleaning your tiles. Even if your pool water is clean, stained surfaces make it look dirty. Mix vinegar, baking soda and water together, and spray the grout tiles. Then, scrub them using a small brush so you can get the dirt out from those hard-to-reach places.
6. Use Solar Pumps
A solar pump does the same job as an electric one, but it’s far cheaper and safer for the environment. With the help of a solar panel, the pump takes in the sun’s rays and converts them into electricity.
An element to consider when buying solar panels is the sunlight exposure you have. You may have direct exposure or diffuse radiation, and figuring out where you can put the panels for maximum intake will make them much more efficient. If cost is holding you back, the U.S. government has invested in the Solar Energy Technologies Office to make solar energy more affordable.
You should use your solar pool pump during the day when the sun is at its peak so you can get the most energy out of it, which is usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Another perk when it comes to saving money is a solar pump requires low maintenance, and solar panels can last up to 25 years if they’re taken care of properly.
Have a Sustainable Swimming Summer
Choosing an eco-friendly approach to keeping your pool water crystal clear is a meaningful step toward sustainability. Options like ozone and UV sanitation reduce the need for harsh chemicals, while saltwater provides a gentler swimming experience. Eco-conscious pool care is about using smarter solutions to keep your pool cleaner for longer in a cost-effective way.
By investing in these hacks, you can reduce chemical use, save on energy spending and extend the lifespan of your pool equipment. They also help you to maintain the pool yourself, which means you can spend less money hiring a maintenance team and more on pool snacks!
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