Make your pool more eco-friendly this summer

As consumers look for ways to have fun while saving money this summer, improving the energy efficiency of backyard pools can make a big difference.

A standard-sized pool often uses about 15 kilowatts of energy each day, much of that from the pool pump. Pool lights and heaters can also be updated for energy savings because newer models are often significantly more efficient. An added advantage is that LED bulbs last about 10 times as long as typical fluorescent bulbs, so they require changing far less often.

Heating pools with solar panels is another energy efficient trend on the rise. After an initial investment of about $5,000 for pools around 25,000 gallons, in some cases solar panels can provide considerable savings compared to gas or propane heaters. Even traditional heaters made within the past ten years can use up to 40% less energy than older models.

Chemicals are another environmental concern related to pool maintenance. Chlorine is widely used and considered relatively safe, but other pool treatment methods are gaining popularity. Ozone is effective at killing bacteria and can reduce the need for chlorine, and salt-activated systems are also effective and are often touted as less abrasive.

An alternative to pool chemicals popular in Europe is known as "biological filtration" because the process uses plant life to clean the water naturally. Aquatic plants such as lilies and reeds grow in the pool and replace the use of chemicals.