Pool manufacturers are focusing on more eco-friendly and energy efficient pool designs and equipment. Over the last 30 years, the average water volume in pools has decreased by three and energy usage for filtration has decreased by four and for heating by nine. Smaller pools under 30m3 that use less water and energy are becoming more popular compared to larger pools. New equipment like variable speed pumps, optimized filtration systems, automatic covers, and robots can further reduce water and energy usage while maintaining water quality. Heat pumps are now a more economical and environmentally friendly option for heating pools compared to traditional electric heaters. LED lighting also provides energy savings over older spotlights. Pool professionals can be identified by the Propiscines certification label which commits

1. The eco-friendly pool is on its way
Respectingthe environmentandcontrollingcosts hasbecome pool manufacturers’credo.Whetherit
isbuildinganewpool or renovatingone,new equipment and operating processes aim at improving
their energy efficiency.
In the dynamic swimming pool market which increased by 20% in 2016, the revolution for a
sustainable consumption has already produced effects. In thirty years, the water volume has been
dividedby three;the annual energyconsumption for the filtration has been divided by four and for
heating, by nine.
“Lesswater,thisalsomeanslessdisinfectionactions, less water treatment and more energy saving.
That’s why big pools of 12 x 6 metres with 130m3 volume are not popular anymore compared to
smallermodelswell equippedandlessenergy-intensive, such as 8 x 4 metres with 40m3 or even 6x
3 metres below 30 m3”, says Desjoyaux Pools’ Chief Audit Executive Gilles Mouchiroud. There is
no question of systematically renewing every year the water from the pool. “The active wintering
doesn’t require anymore lowering the water level and then having to increase it back at spring.
Duringthe lowseason,youjusthave to leave the filtrationrunningfromtime totime.Inthe end,you
lose less water and when you reactivate the pump you don’t need tons of treatment products” he
adds. If the water is heating up, it is recommended to limit evaporation and so an energy loss. You
can set up equipment that covers the pool such as bubble, bar or automatic covers, shelters …
Finally,usingarobotallowstopreserve waterqualitybycleaningautomaticallythe pool bottom and
by facilitating the filtration at the same time.

2. Less disinfecting products
Otherobjective tocombatwaste:gofor efficientequipmentandlimitthe use of treatmentproducts.
It is already possible to save a lot of energy thanks to an optimised hydraulic circuit designed to
facilitate waterflow.Whenthe filtrationunitis adjoining the pool, you get rid of long pipes, elbows
and pressure losses. Likewise, using pumps with variable speeds allows reducing electricity
consumption (up to 40% less than the traditional model). Not forgetting new filtering bags which
water jet cleaning requires little water compared to a classic backwash.
But havinga goodmechanical filtrationisnotenoughto guarantee good-quality water. Disinfection
and treatment products will contribute to a total efficiency. Maintaining good water equilibrium is
essential to limit chemical products input. It will be important to control doses by adjusting
quantities depending on the needs.
Considered as state-of-the-art equipment, you can find premeasured multi-function tablets,
automatic dosing systems which are continuously diffusing without shock or overconsumption, or
even better the complete system of water analysis and treatment by salt electrolysis which is
connected to an electrical control panel and that controls remotely the filtration. The connected
swimming pool already came true!
Less energy-intensive
It is now the time for the heat pump to heat the swimming pool water! More economical and
environmentally friendly than traditional electric exchangers and heaters, it represents today the
more economical systemonthe longtermwith an output of 1 kW consumed for 4 to 5 kW returned.
You can also consider a heating system completely solar and thus free. But it meets with a space
problembecause itrequiresasurface for the solar cells which equates to half of the pool’s surface.
Other drawback, the temperature is less accurate than the one provided from a heat pump. There
are also alternative solutions such as the automatic cover with solar strips which offers a natural
heating, or the shelter which allows gaining 6 to 10°C thanks to the greenhouse effect.
It is also time for innovation regarding lighting. In a few years, we went from 300W spotlights to
75W, and then LEDs with only 30W that allow to illuminate the pool and to change colour
atmospheres.
A label to trust
Professionals who are committing to an environmental approach can be identified thanks to the
“Propiscines” label at three certification levels. This label was developed by the “Fédération des
Professionnelsdela Piscine” (FPP) (Federation of Swimming Pool Professionals) in partnership with
“SocotecCertification”.The 400 certifiedmembers(overthe 1030 companiesaffiliatedwith the FPP)
committo inform and advise their customers on the more economical products and techniques for
water and electricity. Propiscines.fr
Hélène Lacas