6 Energy and Eco-friendly Swimming Pool Remodelling Options to try in 2020.

Sublime Pools Blog
November 10, 2019

Pool Equipment, Pool Renovation, Pool Restoration

Your luxurious backyard swimming pool is perhaps your family’s favorite hangout in the summer — the place to relax, lounge and watch children play. It doesn’t get better than that! But then again, it can! Here are 6 energy and eco-friendly swimming pool renovation ideas to try in 2020!

Regular maintenance and upkeep of your swimming pool can get expensive. Some questions are important to ask before renovating your pool in an eco-friendly way: How big is your pool? How hot does it get in the summers? Where do you pump your water from? Do you use gas or electric? These everyday choices can quickly add up. They reflect on your bills and can sometimes leave a lasting carbon footprint.

At Sublime Pools and Spa, we value eco-friendly choices. Being a father, I understand the negative effects of chlorine on the immune system of children. Chlorine present in air and water can lead to respiratory illnesses in children and animals.

We, at Sublime Pools & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, work to address your specific renovation needs and provide the best comprehensive service for your pool. We have put together the top 6 renovation options that you can incorporate today that will help you protect your family. This guide will help you every step of the way!

1). Upgrade to Eco-Friendly LED Lights

A swimming pool looks radiant at night, it is lit, it is glowing and burns deep holes in your pocket. Remodelling and installing LED lights for your pool will mean less worry over spending time on that pool float with a book. LED lights are long lasting, they come in a variety of colors and can be the swanky new addition your pool deserves.

These lights are energy efficient and can keep you entertained with mood lighting throughout the night, making them highly suited for pool parties too!

✅ Pros:

Ease of use:

LED lights can be automated, meaning you can control them using apps on your smart devices or remote control. Say goodbye to manually controlling your pool lighting. See what other pool items you can automate here.

Low maintenance:

These lights are pretty functional and require very little maintenance. They are made of diodes and can last a very long time.

Energy efficient:

These lights use as little as 42 watts which allows you to save sometimes up to 75% on energy usage that incandescent and halogen lights require.

❌ Cons:

Expensive to set up:

LED lights save you money on electric bills, but they are more expensive than installing halogen or incandescent light bulbs. They also require a special set of transformers which support 12-14 v.

Cannot be repaired:

Unlike halogen light bulbs, LED lights cannot be repaired or fixed. LED lights are more prone to leaks, but this can be avoided by choosing a resin-filled LED variety.

2). Renovate With a Mineral Pool System

A completely eco-friendly renovation option for your swimming pool is to transform it to a mineral sustained pool. A mineral system can be installed in-line, which means that you won’t need any extra equipment. It will be attached to the end of the pipes or heating system and will be in direct contact with the pool.

A mineral system does not require electricity. It has cartridges which help maintain a healthy PH level. Using a mineral system also means that the chlorine consumption is reduced by up to 50%! This swimming pool renovation option can help replace your filters and reduce your cleaning charges. Low levels of chlorine can keep your eyes, skin and hair safe and hydrated, while also keeping algae from growing on your pool tiles.

✅ Pros:

Gentle on skin and metals for people with Eczema:

As mentioned earlier, these pools are gentle on the skin, hair and eyes. In addition, they do not corrode the metal, concrete, or tiles in the pool. Gives a silky calm feeling.

Affordable initial set up:

A mineral pool is easy and cost effective to set up. It involves using a mineral pack to sustain the system and replacing that pack seasonally. The mineral packs are not expensive and can also reduce the amount of chlorine used.

❌ Cons:

Requires chlorine:

A mineral sustained pool still requires some chlorine. When used correctly, the chlorine levels in the pool will be no more than .5 PPM.

3). Renovate with a Salt Water Generator

One of the easiest options to keep your swimming pool clean is to add a salt water generator.

A generator is placed in the pool which uses the 99.3% pure pool salt and water to make chlorine bubbles. This makes the water friendly on the skin and eliminates the rather powerful and unhealthy chlorine smell. The water is clearer, feels silkier and smooth.

The generator is easy to install and the cell that converts the salt to chlorine can last up to three to seven years with minimum maintenance (depending on the brand you choose). Since the generator converts pool salt to chlorine, it can save you the unpleasant task of mixing chlorine in the pool. If you are in doubt about beginning a sustainable swimming pool renovation project, going with a salt water generator will be the least risky choice.

✅ Pros:

Suitable for people with respiratory problems like Asthma:

A salt water pool uses less chlorine. People with respiratory problems such as asthma, can feel more comfortable swimming in a salt water pool. This is because of the absence of the smell of chlorine.

❌ Cons:

Cost:

The initial set up cost for a salt water generator can be more than the cost involved in setting up a chlorine pool. You can however save money down the line because of the reduced chlorine usage.

Can corrode metal and tiles:

Salt in the pool can slowly corrode the metal or tiles. Using a salt water generator can increase the risk of buildup. This can be avoided by using a sacrificial anode. This is made of zinc and will indicate when the salt is too high and there’s a risk of corrosion. This little device will start corroding first and can be replaced, thus saving your ladders, rails and other equipment.

4). Upgrade Those Pumps to be Energy Efficient!

If you are looking to save money and use less energy, changing your single speed pump is the way to go.

Choosing a multi speed or variable speed pump for your inground swimming pool can help cut down your energy bill (approx.) 80 percent annually. A multi speed pump is more efficient as it can be adjusted to suit your needs—lower speeds can be used to filter the pool, which automatically means less noise and less energy consumption.

This swimming pool renovation idea in The Sunshine State will prove essential! The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends using a variable speed pump.

✅ Pros:

Multi speed pumps are gentle on the equipment:

Using a multi speed pump on a lower setting reduces the stress on the pipes and equipment, leading to less wear and tear.

More filtration on lower settings:

When run on a lower setting, multi speed pumps improve filtration.

Reduce the amount of chemicals needed:

A multi speed pump distributes chemicals more efficiently. This can reduce the frequency of adding chemicals to the pool to keep it clean and functional.

❌ Cons:

They are more expensive than single speed pumps:

Single speed pumps are cheaper to buy, but they are noisy and expensive in the long run. Using a multi speed pump will save you money in the long run.

Some pumps may not have a long life span:

Some multi speed pumps (depending on the brand) may not have a very long life span owing to the fact that they switch between speeds regularly, this can cause the motor to weaken. You can avoid this by buying top-of-the-line pumps with extended warranty such as Pentair’s IntelliFlo Multi Speed Pool Pump. A little investment and research can ensure comfort and savings.

5). Protect Your Pool From the Sun With a Pool Cover

A pool cover is a basic swimming pool renovation option that can save you a lot of money in the long run. Using chemicals to clean your pool often can leech the expensive pool finish and can encourage the growth of harmful algae spores.

From Heat:

Did you know that you can lose gallons of water just by exposing your inground pool to the South Florida summer heat? The hotter it is outside, the quicker your water evaporates. This quickly stacks up overtime! The easiest option for you to stop your pool from emptying rapidly is it to invest in a good, long-lasting pool cover.

From Debris:

Cleaning a pool is expensive and chemical heavy. It is a tedious process that can leave you with limited pool time. A pool cover can protect your backyard swimming pool in between cleaning sessions. You won’t have to worry about unsightly twigs, leaves and other debris floating in the pool again!

✅ Pros:

Maintains temperature:

Having your pool covered at night helps reduce your heating bills. It keeps your pool warm through the night and keeps water from evaporating through the day.

Can reduce chlorine consumption:

Being exposed to UV light degrades pool chemical chlorine. If you keep it covered, you can reduce the amount of chlorine you add to the pool.

❌ Cons:

Can be tedious to use:

If you have a manual pool cover, or have an oddly shaped modern pool, using a pool cover on a daily basis can be difficult. This problem can be solved by using an automated pool cover, if your pool has a standard shape.

They can stick out:

If you have a landscaped garden, having a pool cover can potentially dull the effect of having a pool in your backyard. While they can look conspicuous when used, their use far outweighs their appearance!

Storage or installation of a pool cover:

A manually rolled cover will need to be stored away neatly when not in use. Or if you are thinking of adding an automated cover, you will need ample space on deck. These can prove restrictive when choosing a pool cover.

6). Use the Sun! Install a Solar Pool Heater

If you live in a place that has a year-long summer — like Fort Lauderdale, Florida does — an essential addition to your backyard swimming pool is a solar energized pool heater. It uses clean, renewable energy and is the most eco-friendly pool renovation idea.

How often have you jumped into the pool and felt goosebumps because of the cool water? A solar pool heater can also help solve that problem for you. It can be used through Spring and the beginning of Fall. It raises the temperature of the water by 10 degrees evenly, making sure that the water at the bottom of the pool is just as warm as the water on the surface.

✅ Pros:

Easiest to install:

Once approved by your roofer or builder, these solar panels can be attached to your roof and connected to the plumbing. They don’t require elaborate installations like a gas or electric heater!

Maintenance friendly:

With no additional parts to keep it functioning, a solar pool heater works longer. You won’t have to worry about motors or having to change oil.

Regulated temperature:

Using unglazed solar panels to power your pool heating system can get you an evenly warm temperature in your pool. With the right tilt and positioning, the pool will receive the required amount of heat, without getting too hot. You can even trap the heat in the colder evenings and nights by using a pool cover.

Long lasting:

The solar panels don’t rust or corrode like other heating systems would. They are reliable and can be used in mostly all weather conditions in a place like Florida. Can last up to 15-20 years if installed correctly and doesn’t fly away with a rooftop during a hurricane!

❌ Cons:

Expensive to install:

Solar heaters pay for themselves within 1.5-5 years (depending on your gas or electric bills). They are longer lasting and less intrusive than gas or electric heaters, but they could set you back heavily when you decide to install them.

Contact Your Local Broward - Fort Lauderdale Pool Renovation Professionals for a FREE Quote and Unbeatable Guarantees!

If you live in Broward County, Sublime Pools & Spa can ensure you choose the best options when you are renovating your new eco-friendly inground swimming pool. We renovate and remodel pools in Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Sunrise, Coral Springs, Davie, Pembroke Pines and many other local cities in South Florida. Call us today for a free quote at 754-260-7193. We take pride in our unbeatable guarantees and our values that keep our company afloat! Welcome to the family!

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