Going Green with Your Swimming Pool Equipment

These days, with rising public concern on environmental impact and decreasing natural resources, more and more homeowners are starting to make eco-friendly decisions especially when it comes to their home improvement projects. Take the construction of swimming pools, for example, wherein the USA Swimming and National Swimming Pool Foundation estimate that there are 10 million swimming pools in the United States and that the average backyard pool holds 25,000 gallons of water--a fact that can be a problem in areas suffering from drought.

This is why Orange County pool builders are taking an environment-friendly initiative by utilizing green technology to make sure that the pools they construct are energy-saving, ecological, and beautiful. Here are more ways to make swimming pools and spas less harmful to the environment:

Consider variable-speed pumps

Did you know that a well-designed variable-speed pump can reduce energy costs of running a swimming pool by up to 90 percent? It’s no wonder, therefore, that pool renovation projects to reduce energy consumption mostly focuses on finding the best pump. Unlike single-speed pumps that rely on one speed to do its job, a variable-speed pump can be programmed to operate in the right speed for the task at hand, such as operating waterfalls, spa jets, or suction-side pool cleaners. Your initial investment on a variable-speed pump can be recouped after two years.

Choose energy-saving pool equipment

The pool pump may be the biggest energy-eater in a pool, but there are more energy-saving pool equipment for you to consider. The filter, for one, have an impact on the pool’s energy consumption. Generally, cartridge filtration systems offer the least resistance to flow, saving energy in the process. You may also want to invest in digital automation systems to automatically schedule cleaning and filtration cycles.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pool Builder

Having a pool built for your home is a huge investment. Pools certainly aren't cheap, and in order to make them last, it's essential that they are built and installed properly. When choosing pool builders for your next pool or spa project, there's a few factors to keep in mind.

Price

Get price quotes from many different pool builders to help you ensure that you select one who offers you the best deal. Finding a pool within your budget might sometimes seem difficult, but good pool builders usually offer financing to assist you with covering the cost to build your pool.

Options

Look for pool builders who have plenty of options. Good pool builders usually build various types of pools, so they're experienced professionals who really know what they're doing. If you want to incorporate landscaping into your custom pool, then make sure that the builder you choose offers that option. Also, if you have a certain brand of pool in mind that you want, choose a builder who carries the brand.

Reputation

Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the company you're going to let build your pool is the company's reputation. Ideal pool builders have plenty of years of experience in the field, and they also have a good reputation with plenty of satisfied customers under their belts. Look for companies that have stellar customer reviews and include photos of previously built pools.