This beautifully tiled pool by Clifton Crawford, of C & J Contracting, uses an automatic cleaning system that purifies the water keeping it clear. Photo: David Croxford

Immerse yourself in the cool, blue technology of 2011.

Today’s innovations are making a big splash in the pool and spa scene. A variety of exciting products are helping homeowners take better care of their outdoor aquatic areas. Here are some of the hottest new trends to keep you cool this summer.

Energy Savings

There are several ways to make your big, blue pool a little greener. Replacing your old pump with an energy-efficient one will reduce your energy costs by approximately 75 percent. Pool and spa expert Clifton Crawford of C & J Contracting says that a new, energy-efficient pump can prolong your pool’s life and will definitely save you money. Crawford recommends the Jandy variable-speed ePump, a high-performance pump that was designed according to strict energy-conservation codes.

Check out zodiacpoolsystems.com for new energy-saving products and savings calculators that allow you to figure out the energy costs and savings for your own pool or spa.

Remote Access:

Photo: Courtesy of Jandy

Use a wireless digital remote or iPhone to organize the electronic features of your outdoor area, such as lighting or audio. Remotes allow you to synchronize and control all your separate outdoor functions from the comfort of your seat. Turn on the pool pump, or even your outdoor audio system. “I always include a controller once I install a new pool system for a client,” says Crawford. “It just makes things so much easier for them.” Crawford recommends digital remotes, such as the AquaLink Touch, from Jandy.  See various styles and models at jandy.com.

A Better Cover:

Removing heavy spa covers is a difficult task. The solution: A removal system called a “Cover Cradle.” Available through Blue Champagne Pool & Spa, this motorized device will ease the task of covering and uncovering your home spa. “Customers often forget about having a place to put the cover when it’s off the spa and also how awkward it is for one person to put a cover back on the spa,” says Cheri Hadenfeld of Blue Champagne Pool & Spa. The Cover Cradle attaches to the spa and the spa cover, allowing you to take the cumbersome cover on and off, without any extra help.

Clear Water:

This pool’s attached infinity spa spills water continually over the edge and into the pool. Project by Clifton Crawford of C & J Contracting. Photo: David Croxford

Water quality is an important factor for every pool and spa owner. Monitoring the pH control is an important factor in keeping your water healthy. Most pool maintenance companies will maintain the water quality for you, while some spas come with a water-cleaning system. According to Hadenfeld, all of Blue Champagne’s spas come with “ozonators” pre-installed to help kill any bacteria that may grow in the water, allowing for minimal sanitizer use. “Our spas also come with a clean cycle,” she explains.  “After using the spa, this cycle will run the jets for 10 minutes, so you can add chemicals, close up the spa and relax. The spa jets automatically turn off after the clean cycle is through.”

If using certain chemicals in your pool or spa is taking its toll on your skin, ask your maintenance team for alternative solutions. There are methods other than chlorine that will keep your water clean and clear, such as using an ionic pool cleanser that uses copper and silver to kill harmful bacteria.

Solar Heating:

Photo: istockphoto.com

With our abundance of year-round sunlight, a solar-heating or photovoltaic (PV) system for your pool or spa is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to keep your water at a perfect temperature. PV systems allow homeowners to run their pool pumps and heaters in a more energy-efficient way. Pool experts suggest keeping your water at a comfortable temperature, between 75 and 85 degrees. Using solar-heating or PV systems, you can do just that, but without the expense of a high electric bill.

Ask your pool-maintenance company if it installs solar-heating systems. If it doesn’t, ask for recommendations. Steve DeBiasi of DeBiasi Pacific designs and builds exterior environments, and has been busy installing solar-heating systems in his clients’ homes. “We recently installed a new solar-heating system that is a closed system, so it’s running through heat exchanges that produce three times the energy of a solar hot-water system for the pool,” he says.

Did You Know

There are federal tax credits available for solar pool-heating systems and other energy-conservation initiatives. Learn more at energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm.

Audio/Visual:

Photo: David Croxford; Lighting by Blueprint Audio/Visual

Let sights and sounds enhance the ambience of your outdoor environment. A study conducted by the Swimming Pool Association showed that the average American pool is only used for swimming 20 percent of the time, while 75 percent of the time it is used as a visual accent to the living space. Crawford suggests adding both audio and visual aspects to your outdoor pool area, such as a running-water feature or an outdoor audio system and using colored-LED lights. “Lighting technology today is 100 percent improved from what it was just two years ago,” says Crawford. “Putting different-color LED lights in your pool can create a lovely scene and help you enjoy the look of your outdoors at night, as well.” 

DeBiasi agrees: His team has installed several new varieties of visual elements into clients’ outdoor spaces. “With the low-voltage control systems, you can program the colored lights to rotate and change colors. It looks great at night.”

Know Your Pool

Getting to know your pool will help you save money and conserve energy. Keep your pool clean and your pockets full by asking your pool-maintenance team these simple questions. 

Q What are the total gallons of water in my pool?

Knowing the size and water-volume of your pool will help you calculate other important factors, such as setting the daily run-time on your pool pump.

Q What is the horsepower of my pump?

The horsepower of your pump helps you assess how much energy and electricity your pool uses on a daily basis.

Q How long does my pump run throughout the day?

Don’t overexert your pump —make sure the amount of time your pump runs corresponds with the amount of water in your pool.

Q What chemicals are used to maintain a good water quality?

Overloading chlorine in your pool could be damaging to your health. Make sure the amount and type of chemicals used are appropriate for the amount of water in your pool.