Creating an oasis in your backyard can be challenging. It takes time, planning, and budgeting to complete successfully. However, along the way, there are opportunities to save money and water by making smart upgrades to your fibreglass pool. Here are some ideas that will help you ditch the old school and bring your pool into the 21st century.
If you’re just getting started on a backyard makeover project, it might be tempting to cut corners on aspects like the home swimming pool. After all, these things aren’t cheap! However, failing to budget for some essential upgrades can leave you with an old-fashioned eyesore that also wastes water and money.
Here are a few simple home pool tips you should know before getting started on building a new backyard oasis:
Add a new coating and light-coloured tiles
An older vinyl pool can have a number of problems. As it ages, it loses its flexibility and can crack, split and break more easily. Vinyl is a synthetic product and can fade in strong sunlight. You can combat these problems and increase the longevity of your vinyl-liner pool by applying a new coating.
Most pool supplies shops can provide guidance on the best coating for your pool. You can also use a light-coloured tile pattern to help reflect light and reduce the amount of heat that is absorbed by the water. If you have an above-ground pool, such as a plastic or fibreglass model, you can also make simple upgrades that can help to extend its lifespan. An above-ground pool liner can fade, crack and become brittle. Replacing it with a new liner is a quick and inexpensive way to extend the life of the pool.
Install a smart pool monitoring system
As well as improving the functionality and aesthetics of your fibreglass pool Perth, a smart pool monitoring system can also save you money. Most smart systems use sensors to monitor water quality and the amount of chemicals in the water. This means you can make sure you are adding the right chemicals to your pool at the right levels, rather than adding too much and wasting money. Many smart pool monitoring systems also come with built-in smart features.
For example, you might be able to control the lights above your pool or the water jets with your smartphone. Others can be paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control, so you can operate features like the pool pump from your phone, or even just by using your voice.
Re-pipe and install a programmable flow meter
Old-fashioned pool plumbing systems are inefficient and can waste water, even if your pump is new. Installing a programmable flow meter at the outlet of the pump can help to reduce the amount of water that is lost through leaks. You can also re-pipe your plumbing to minimize the length of pipes between the pump and the outlets that are in use. This will reduce the amount of water that is lost due to friction. If you have a vinyl-liner pool, installing new plumbing will also help to reduce the amount of heat that the water absorbs. You can also add insulation to the pipes to further reduce heat loss.
Add an electronic sunshield
Another quick and inexpensive upgrade that can save you money is to add an electronic sun-shield to your home swimming pool. These can be raised or lowered electronically to block out the sun when necessary. This means you don’t have to keep manually closing your current sunshade when it gets too hot. An electronic sun-shield can also be programmed to open at specific times during the day, so it doesn’t add unnecessary heat to the water during times when it isn’t needed. This can help you to save on chemicals as well since a spike in temperature can lead to an increase in bacteria. It can also reduce the amount of heat loss from the water, which can help to reduce the amount of energy needed to run the pump.
Install a smart timer and remote control
A smart timer can be used to control the amount of time your pool water is exposed to the sun. Most smart timers can be programmed to control the sun exposure times, as well as the pump times. This can help to save energy and reduce the amount of chemicals needed to keep the water clean. Having a remote control for the timer can make it even easier to use. You can set the controls to close the sunshade or turn off the pump at the end of the day so that everything is ready for the next day.
Update the pool finish
You can make a big difference to your home swimming pool simply by updating the finish. A fresh coat of paint can transform an old, tired pool, and it’s not as expensive or challenging as you might think. Painting the fibreglass pool is a project that can be completed over a weekend, and you don’t have to be an expert. All you need is some basic preparation and a few good tips to get the job done. You can also add a decorative border or tile pattern around the edge of your pool for an instant makeover.
Conduct routine maintenance
Finally, you can reduce the amount of energy it costs to run your home swimming pool by maintaining it properly. This means cleaning the filter and closing the pump off at the end of the day. You should also be adding chemicals to the water to help prevent bacteria growth.
These are things that you should be doing anyway, but they can make a real difference to your energy bill at the same time. For example, cleaning the filter can help to prevent it from becoming blocked, which means it can run more efficiently. Keeping up with these simple home pool maintenance tasks can be the difference between a power bill that makes you cringe and one that is affordable.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to add a backyard oasis to your property, making smart upgrades to your pool can help to reduce costs and waste. The above-mentioned home pool tips can help to reduce your energy costs, while also improving the aesthetics of your backyard and making it a more enjoyable space to spend time in.