With the rising costs of heating and cooling, it makes sense that more and more homeowners with a swimming pool are looking for a viable option to save energy when it comes to heating their swimming pool. Maybe you began to think about solar heating before you even began to layout plans for a home swimming pool, maybe you have just now started to think about it. It does not matter when, the best way to heat a swimming pool is to have it constructed in a location that achieves the best sunlight. Depending on how your yard is setup, a swimming pool with a south or southwest location may get enough heat on its own, if not, then you might want to consider investing in solar heating.

Solar heaters can eliminate the need for other types of swimming pool heaters, and you can add more heat by installing solar panels as well. Installing solar pool heaters can be a bit tricky, if you do not know how to do it yourself, the first thing you should do is find a reputable contractor. Find someone who is trained and knowledgeable about working with solar heating panels.

A contractor will install some solar collectors throughout your yard, most often these are placed on the roof or other areas that receive direct sunlight. Solar collectors are black metal plates that have tubes running through them, your swimming pool water will be routed through these tubes and warmed as the metal plates absorb solar energy from the sun. Once the water has been heated, it then flows back into the swimming pool.

Do you know how many solar panels you will need to heat your swimming pool to a comfortable temperature? A good rule of thumb is to multiply the 75% of the swimming pool surface area to the total surface area of the solar panels. For example, if you have a swimming pool that covers some 400 square feet in area, then the solar panels will need to cover an area of 300 square feet, to adequately heat your swimming pool water.

Unfortunately, sometimes solar panels do not successfully replace the need for a traditional swimming pool heater in every climate. You have to have the right exposure and the right amount of room in your yard for solar panels. However, by combining the solar panels with a traditional swimming pool heater, you can still dramatically reduce your total energy bill. You can use solar power as it is available and subsidize the rest of your needs using conventional heating methods, to make you swimming pool the perfect temperature.

Imagine yourself coming home after a long day at the office, you are tired, your muscles ache and your head is filled with all the details of a hard day spent toiling at your job. Now, think about how nice it would be to dive into a warm, relaxing swimming pool to cleanse yourself of the days events. You feel a sense of relaxation sweeping over your body and as the water glides over you , all the tension instantly leaves your body. Does this sound appealing? The great thing about having a pool at home is because it combines fun and health benefits at the same time, for this reason many people are investing in a swimming pool.

Swimming pools can be constructed in a wide variety of environments and personalized to fit any type of décor and style. Having a swimming pool at home offers people a chance to spend a relaxing evening lounging or taking a dip on a particularly hot day and are great for people who enjoy doing water aerobics or other types of aquatic fitness activities, but do not want to spend a small fortune on a gym membership.

Having a swimming pool provides people of all ages and fitness levels a whole body workout, from beginner to advanced. Having a pool is a great option for people who suffer from arthritis or other crippling health disorders, the water is a great environment that provides a resistance free workout option and results in a marked improvement in range of motion.

Swimming pools are not only a great investment for those who love to swim, but also for those have a busy schedule and want to increase physical activity. Taking a swim improves circulation, engages all the muscle groups of the body and reduces the risk of any type of fitness injury.

Having a swimming pool is a great source of relaxation and provides many wonderful benefits for people. One of the key elements to remember is that owning a swimming pool does not have to cost an exorbitant amount of money, and can actually save money for those people who normally pay a fee to join the local pool or fitness club.

With the many different varieties of swimming pools available on the market, the choice might seem difficult, but with time and research a person can find the perfect model. With a consult from a swimming pool professional, you can understand what types of swimming pool will fit both your budget and your individual needs and begin to enjoy the many benefits that come from having a home swimming pool.

If you are considering adding a swimming pool to your outdoor landscape, it is wise to do your research before the summer season begins. With all the various types of swimming pool models available on the market, it is not surprising you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed and even confused. The following information is designed to help the average, potential pool buyer get a clearer understanding of the different types of swimming pools available on the market today.

In-Ground Swimming Pools

An inground swimming pool usually comes in one of three materials: concrete, fiberglass or vinyl. Almost all types of swimming pools offer a wide array of options and come in all sorts of price ranges. For exmple, specialized finishes, water features and hot tubs can be added to almost any type of swimming pool. For any type of pool, there are the benefits and drawbacks.

It is important to remember each type of pool is available in almost any area you live in. Some markets might have a backlog of orders and a waiting list, this is why it is important to do your searching as soon as possible. It is not wise to go into the market for buying a swimming pool determined to purchase only one make or model or to make design choices based strictly on price or avialability. You should be open minded about all the different things that are available and the best way to understand the pros and cons about each model, is to speak to a professional.

Concrete Swimming Pools

Concrete swimming pools are also known as Gunite or Shotcrete swimming pools. These terms refer primarily to application used when applying concrete to the pool structure. Basically, the Gunite material is pumped into the skeleton of the swimming pool, while Shotcrete is sprayed.

Concrete swimming pools can be finished in pebble aggregate, plaster, colored plaster, high polished marble, glass beading and in some designs tile is used. In some instances, a concrete swimming pool allows for more design options because they are custom built. Other popular additions seen with a Gunite constructed swimming pool is a spa, rocks or waterfalls. Concrete swimming pools take a bit longer to construct and take an average of 8-12 weeks to complete.

Vinyl Liner Swimming Pools

In ground swimming pools are typically composed of reinforced steel or other durable materials and have a vinyl liner inside the inner walls. The walls are manufactured and locked into place, once delivered to the construction site. Once a hole has been dug, the walls are locked into place and the liner is put in.

There is a wide array of prefabricated shapes available and some types of vinyl liners are so flexible they can hbe shaped into almost any type of design. Vinyl liners also come in a large number of patterns and can be one simple color or an elaborate design. Vinyl liners are also very durable and an owner must use reasonable care to ensure the liner does not become punctured. These types of swimming pools are much easier to install than a concrete version.

Fiberglass Swimming Pools

A fiberglass swimming pool is typically a one-piece shell that is manufactured off-site and delivered to the pool construction site. Once a hole has been dug and leveled properly, a fiberglass swimming pool is placed inside the hole. Installation of a fiberglass swimming pool is much faster than with other types of pools, though it is similar to vinyl pool installation.

Above Ground Swimming Pools

An above ground swimming pool can be an economical solution for those who want an inexpensive, easy to install swimming pool. Additionally, these types of swimming pools can be installed by the purchaser or by a professional. These pools can either be hard or soft sided. The hard sided version is composed of fiberglass or a type of metal material. The soft sided swimming pool can be made from rubber, latex or other similar material.

These types of swimming pools can start at a relatively low price.Prices on above ground pools will fluctuate due to the size, type of filter, pump, ladder and accessories are chosen.

Today, a pool consumer has many legitimate and stylish options when it comes to selecting which swimming pool model will work best for their needs. The selection is vast and limitless so you are sure to find something that catches your eye.

Each year, millions of families around the United States open their swimming pools for the summer season.  For families with children under the age of 5 years old, swimming pool safety is a very important concern.   It can take a small child as little as 2 seconds and 2 inches of water to drown, which is why swimming pool safety is so very critical.

Never leave small children unattended around a swimming pool, bath tub, spa or any other body of water.  Make sure to police areas inside and outside of your swimming pool, make sure that a child cannot gain access to the swimming pool with a box, lawn chair, ladder or any other object left laying around.  A wading pool, buckets and drains should never contain water when not in use and must be closely supervised around small children.

If your swimming pool is accessible through your home, make sure to block entrance.  Never leave a gate propped opened or unattended, a small child only needs a matter of seconds to wander through and fall into the swimming pool.  You may want to install a passive infrared pool alarm that protects the entire pool area, a door or gate alarm does not offer enough protection and leaves nothing between the child and the swimming pool.

Bear in mind that all small children are curious by nature and water is just another attraction and a child lacks the understanding of how dangerous it may be.  You should start by educating your children at a young age about the dangers of swimming pools and make sure all members of your family have learned how to swim.  Another precautionary measure is to have all of your family members trained in both adult and infant CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

Fences and barriers are not childproof, but do provide a layer of protection for a child who may stray away from adult supervision.  A fence or barrier does provide added protection and allows a parent a few extra seconds when trying to locate a child.  A fence or wall, door alarms and a power safety cover for swimming pools can also be used to protect a child from a hot tub or spa.

Fences or barriers should be placed completely around the swimming pool and should be at least 4 feet in height.  The fencing should have no slats, footing or hand holds that may assist a young child in climbing.  Vertical slatted fencing should be less than 4 inches apart to prevent a child from being able to squeeze between the slats.  Regularly check the fencing and locks to make sure that they are in proper working order, this should all be done seasonally as part of regular swimming pool maintenance.

Explain all the swimming pool safety rules to family and visitors and make sure the rules are strictly observed in all situations.  Keep a first aid kit and telephone handy around the swimming pool to make sure in the event of an emergency, precious seconds are not lost.  With observing a few simple safety rules, your friends and family can enjoy a safe and uneventful summer around your swimming pool.

We are happy to finally announce that after nearly 8 months of hard work, our new pool lead program is now ready to launch!

In the past, we provided the leads free of charge, and requested that all pool companies pay us if they ended up receiving a signed contract.

Problem was, hardly any of the pool contractors paid us for our efforts.  So after some arduous research, we have come up with a better lead model which ends up being cheaper and more targeted for our contractors.

The Details

Instead, now our system works like this:
* A new pool lead is submitted from a local St. Louis area resident
* That lead is confirmed by a member of the SwimSTL staff.
* A lead summary is then sent via email to all contractors in the SwimSTL.com database.
* A purchase link is provided in the email, and only the first five contractors to purchase the lead will get the customer information.

This model helps contractors such as yourself cut down on chasing non-interested or out-of-area leads by providing you a nice summary of what the customer wants and any comments they may have provided.

Lead pricing is scheduled as follows
All above ground pools – $25
All inground pools – $50

If the customer also requires landscaping, decking or concrete work, an additional $10 per item is added to the lead cost.

So instead of paying $250/lead, you are now paying as little as $25.  And instead of the lead being sent to all the pool contractors in our database, it is now only provided to five.  Costs and competition goes down. We thought you’d like that.

Everyone around the country is getting on the “Going Green” bandwagon and even with swimming pools, consumes are making the switch.  Going green with your swimming pool is not only great for the environment, its also a good way to save money on chemicals and energy costs as well.

Everyone who owns a swimming pool knows it takes a large amount of energy to operate.  However, because owning a swimming pool is becoming cheaper and cheaper, more and more families are jumping in on the fun and buying one.  With so many swimming pools owned around the country, people are realizing that going green is a great way to cool off and relax in the summer heat, and it does not have to cost a small fortune to own a swimming pool like it did in the past.

A swimming pool uses a large amount of gasoline and energy which has to circulate the water through filters and heaters.  Think about the fact that a filtration system must run 24 hours a day to keep the swimming pool clean and you may only actually use the pool for a few hours a day or week.  Now think about how an environmentally friendly swimming pool can incorporate healthy, energy-efficient products, materials and cleaners that can replace the traditional methods and chemicals used in the past.

While the term “green” pool may not sound very refreshing or appealing, one that is environmentally friendly does.  You can keep your water from turning green by using a number of potentially hazardous chemicals, or you can keep your pool water clean and inviting by using non-caustic chemicals that are not harmful to the environment.

Normally to keep the water in a swimming pool clean and safe, chlorine is the chemical of choice.  However, using chlorine may cause all sorts of  problems for the person who swims in it and also for the environment.  Reducing and eliminating chlorine is another key to developing a “green” swimming pool.

Did you know that using a solar powered pool purifier can making your swimming pool almost chemical free?  A solar powered swimming pool purifier works by treating the water with mineral ions that will condition the pool and keep it free of algae and microorganisms.  The initial purification of the water may take up to two weeks, however once completed the water is so clean it meets the standards of drinking water.

Using salt water systems, sand filters and environmentally friendly pool cleaners are just a few ways people are turning towards being more conscientious pool owners.  “Going Green” is a practice that will lead to a more ecologically responsible lifestyle and as consumers it is up to us to make sure we do everything we can to preserve the environment.