New eco-friendly purification systems put chlorine in the back seat for pool care this summer.
Although Chlorine is the go-to product for keeping your pool clean and bacteria-free, the way it smells turns most people off. And then there’s the question of what all the chlorine might be doing to the environment, not to mention the harm that long-term exposure to chlorine might be doing to your lungs, eyes and even skin.
But you can significantly reduce the amount of chlorine you use by investing in newer, greener pool purification alternatives.
With the introduction on new low-flow pool pumps, water can be continuously circulated, which eliminates the problem of stagnant water and algae growth. And since the water spends more time passing through the sanitizing unit, It’ll do an overall better job of keeping your pool clean.
In fact, when properly installed and used, these greener alternatives can reduced your overall use of chlorine by 50-90 percent. Something to think about as you watch your little ones splash around all day long.
Chlorine and Bromine Generators
These electrical generators make chlorine and bromine from special salts added to the pool water. The saline water circulates through the system as a sensor measures the sanitization levels in your pool. As needed, the system will convert the added salts into an active anti-bacterial. When the sanitization level is optimal, the system shuts off automatically.
Ozonators
Ozone is an effective sanitizer. And an ozonator produces and releases ozone into your pool. But once the bacteria are killed, ozone turns into oxygen and dissolves into the water or escapes into the air. And although you can get by with significantly less chlorine than with a traditional system, you will still need to use a small amount.
Ionizers
Ionizers use a low current to positively charge the micro-particles that are to small to be caught in a traditional filter. The ions act as powerful sanitizers by attracting impurities in the water. The drawback? It’s hard to maintain a high enough ration of positively charged ions when impurities are being introduced at such a fast rate by normal pool use.
Mineral Purifiers
This device uses silver and copper to sanitize the pool water. You can find systems that are filter-based, or systems that pump in-line with other pool equipment, like a low-flow pump. As water flows through the purifier and over the mineral bed, ions act to kill bacteria. Mineral purifiers will last for several months, but must still be used with chlorine for a lasting sanitizing effect.
So you really can have your pool and be greener, too. With these new technologies, you can use fewer chemicals and still have a sparking pool this summer.
