Eco-Friendly Swimming Pool Design & Construction
SAVE ON YOUR POOL’S RUNNING COSTS
Love the idea of a pool but concerned about the ongoing running costs? To keep pool running costs down consider an eco-pool from Alan Bettin Swimming Pools of Farnham. We use polystyrene blocks in the construction of in-ground pools to help with thermal insulation which, in turn, saves you money on heating it.
GREAT SAVINGS ON ENERGY
With our eco-pools, your pool stays warmer by preventing heat loss through the floor, walls and pipework, thus reducing the amount of heating required. The pool heaters used in our pools can be more than 5 times more efficient than traditional models.
ECO-POOL BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Reduced running costs
- Energy-efficient pool heaters
- Bespoke designs
- Competitive prices from Alan Bettin Swimming Pools
- Installations across Surrey and the surrounding areas
CONSIDERING AN ECO-FRIENDLY SWIMMING POOL?
Our team in Farnham offer free site surveys and quotes as standard, meaning you can familiarise yourself with the costs prior to any pool construction commencing. An eco-pool makes the dream of having a swimming pool so much more affordable, making it a prudent investment for any property owner.
Contact our team in Farnham, Surrey, for a free site survey.
WHAT AREAS IN SURREY DO YOU COVER?
We cover all the major settlements in Surrey such as Woking, Guildford, Walton-on-Thames, Ewell, Esher, Camberley, Redhill, Leatherhead, Epsom, Weybridge, Ashford, Egham, Staines, Farnham, Horley, Godalming, Reigate, Caterham, Frimley, Cobham, Dorking, Addlestone, Ashtead, Chertsey, Oxted, Haslemere, Banstead, Cranleigh, Warlingham, Lightwater, Hindhead, Witley, Virginia Water, East Horsley, Bagshot, West Clandon, Send, Whitebushes.
WHAT AREAS IN HAMPSHIRE DO YOU COVER?
We cover all the major settlements in Hampshire such as Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Gosport, Farnborough, Andover, Aldershot, Horndean, Winchester, Havant, Locks Heath, Warsash, Whiteley, Fareham, Fleet, Totton, Hedge End, Stubbington, Hythe, New Milton, Emsworth, Alton, Romsey, Bordon, Tadley, South Hayling, Lymington, Petersfield, Yateley, Ringwood, Blackfield, Hook, Blackwater, Bursledon, North Baddesley, Liphook, Netley, Bishop’s Waltham, Liss, Marchwood, Denmead, Fordingbridge, New Alresford, Oakley, Headley Down, Kings Worthy, Four Marks, Hamble-le-Rice, Whitchurch.
FAQs
What is an eco pool?
An eco pool is a swimming pool that has been designed and constructed to be as environmentally friendly as possible. This could include how and where the materials are sourced from. Most importantly, eco swimming pools are designed to run efficiently, so they use less energy and save the owner money in the long term.
How does an eco-friendly swimming pool work?
An eco-friendly pool uses less power to operate than an ordinary swimming pool. A natural swimming pool is a chemical-free alternative to a chlorinated pool that uses organic matter to filter the water through a body of water filled with plants. This is more eco friendly, but can also be difficult to maintain in the long term.
Are swimming pools environmentally friendly?
Swimming pools are not the most environmentally friendly addition to a home. They are luxury utilities that can transform how you spend time at home, however, like with any construction project, there is an environmental cost to building them.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimise the environmental impact of a swimming pool project which include using polystyrene blocks to provide thermal insulation. Energy-efficient pool heaters can also help reduce the long term energy costs of keeping the pool warm.
How do you build a sustainable pool?
Building a sustainable pool can be achieved by carefully selecting the components and materials before construction takes place. Each part of a swimming pool can be optimised for eco-friendly benefits, whether that’s choosing a particularly efficiency pump or opting for a cartridge-based filter system.
Extra care should also be taken when it comes to insulating pool walls, as energy savings can be made in the long term when as much heat is retained as possible.
Why are pools bad for the environment?
Swimming pools have built a reputation for being bad for the environment. Detractors point to the potential for water wastage and the use of chlorine as being particular notes of concern.
Thankfully, there are plenty of routes that owners can take to ensure that their swimming pool has a smaller impact on the environment so that they can enjoy their pool without feeling guilty.
Are swimming pools a waste of water?
Swimming pools are rarely, if ever, a waste of water in the UK; however, this does depend on how the owner manages their pool.
For example, if a pool owner empties their pool on a regular basis without any good reason, this could be seen as a waste of water.
Similarly, leaving a pool uncovered outside may lead to excessive evaporation which would necessitate the owner to top up the pool more frequently, which is another wasteful habit that can easily be avoided.
How can you make a swimming pool environmentally friendly?
There are many ways to make a swimming pool more environmentally friendly, even after the pool has been constructed.
- Cut down on chlorine use. By regularly checking chlorine levels in your pool, you can ensure you only use as many chemicals as you need to keep your pool clean and safe to use. You can even substitute chlorine with bromine, however, the latter is not as effective in keeping a pool clean.
- Use a pool cover. A swimming pool cover is an essential purchase for safety purposes, however, it also has environmental benefits. A swimming pool cover will help prevent evaporation, leading to less water wastage and will also help retain heat, cutting down on energy bills.
- Cartridge filters are one of the most environmentally-friendly ways of keeping your pool clean. Whilst the filters themselves aren’t biodegradable, they last a long time and negate the need to backwash that comes with sand and D.E. filters.
- Use a pool pump timer. This simple device can ensure that your pool pump only operates when you need it to, cutting down on unnecessary energy usage. You can choose to set it to run at intervals throughout the day and can also set it to run whilst you’re away, so you can ensure the water stays clean.
- Invest in a solar heater. Solar pool heaters are a great addition to a swimming pool that can help cut costs and lessen its environmental impact. Whilst the upfront costs can be steep, savings are usually made in the long-term.
- Run your pool pump efficiently. Make sure that you have the correct size pool pump for your needs. Larger pool pumps use up more energy, which might not be necessary if your pool is on the smaller side. Check that your pool pump is only running as long as needed to keep your water clean.
- Refrain from draining your pool. Keep water wastage to a minimum by only draining your pool when absolutely necessary. Draining your pool can also lead to cracks forming in your liner, which might cause even more water wastage.
- Keep your liner in good condition. Your pool liner may develop cracks over time which will mean more water wasted in keeping your levels high. In some case swimming pool refurbishment is the only way to sort this out and save on unnecessary water usage.
- Choose LED lighting. LED light fittings may cost more to install than traditional lighting, however, they will consume much less energy and will also last much longer. LED lights can be up to 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and may last up to 25 times longer.
- Create a windbreak. Depending on where your pool is installed, a tactical windbreak can greatly reduce evaporation. Windy conditions can also cool your water temperature, so providing some shelter will give your pool heater less work to do and will save energy. Pool safety fencing can help, but shrubs, lattices and screens also work.
Is chlorine bad for the environment?
Chlorine’s impact on the environment depends on variables such as the concentration of chlorine, as well as the length and frequency of exposure to the environment. Chlorine can cause a low level of harm to the environment and is especially damaging to organisms living in water and soil.
This is why it’s important to dispose of chlorinated wastewater responsibly. When used responsibly, chlorine should have no negative effect on your local environment.
Are saltwater pools better for the environment?
Saltwater swimming pools are not better for the environment than traditionally chlorinated swimming pools. Saltwater can prove to be detrimental to your garden’s health. The salt in the water may be blown from the water and swept as a fine mist across a garden, damaging vegetation in the process.
Using saltwater does not negate the use of chlorine, as it’s still needed to ensure the water stays clean. Saltwater can also erode metal fixings and can cause health isses with pets who may drink it.
How do I make my pool chemical-free?
It’s not possible to make a traditional swimming pool chemical-free. Even when an ozone sterilization system is installed in a traditional pool, chemicals are still required to ensure that the pool water is safe to swim in. The best way of reducing chemical use in your swimming pool is by regularly checking levels and only using as much chlorine as is needed.
What is a chemical-free swimming pool?
A chemical-free swimming pool can only be achieved by creating a natural pool that requires the construction of a planted area in order to organically filter the swimming pool water. Alan Bettin Pools do not construct these, preferring to build environmentally-friendly pools that do not require additional groundworks or ongoing plant maintenance.
What are natural swimming pools?
Natural swimming pools are completely chemical-free and typically involve the use of a swimming area and a planted area. The planted area is populated with low maintenance plants that create a mini-ecosystem that serves as a natural swimming pool filtration system for the swimming area.
Recently, sphagnum moss has also been developed as another form of natural pool filtration. The University of Maryland reported a 40% reduction in chemical usage and a 75% cut in water consumption after converting their pool to use a moss filter.
Alan Bettin Pools do not offer natural swimming pools. Our environmentally-friendly swimming pools are traditional swimming pools built with economy and sustainability in mind.
How much are natural swimming pools?
The cost of a natural swimming pool can vary greatly depending on the size and location of the pool, but they are invariably more than a traditionally constructed eco-friendly swimming pool. Extra considerations need to be taken in regards to groundworks and landscaping in order to allow for both the swimming area and planted area. Ongoing maintenance and landscaping must also be accounted for.
Alan Bettin Pools’ environmentally-friendly swimming pools are practical, economical options that are designed to perform more efficiently than a traditional swimming pool. This is achieved without the need for extra groundworks that make natural pools more expensive.
Are natural swimming pools more expensive?
Natural swimming pools are more expensive than traditional swimming pools. Whilst an argument could be made that savings may be made over the long-term considering reduced costs of chemicals and water usage, a natural pool still requires maintenance over time.
Natural swimming pools cost more to construct due to the additional space and groundworks required to build both the planted area and swimming area. Additional expenditures such as landscaping and plant maintenance must also be considered.
Alan Bettin Pool’s eco-friendly swimming pools provide the environmentally-friendly benefits of natural swimming pools without the high costs and awkward maintenance.