Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Chemical Free Pools

I've always loved swimming, and my kids seem to have gotten that from me. They're little fish, or I guess I should say not-so-little fish. They both have been asking for a pool for a while, but we keep telling them that the lake is so close we don't need a pool. Truthfully, I know I would enjoy having a pool in the backyard, but I have been kind of intimidated by the idea of taking care of it. Some of our neighbors have pools, and I see them out cleaning them, and I see the empty bottles from all the chemicals set out by the street for recycling.

Speaking of those chemicals, that is one thing that I do not enjoy about swimming in a pool. I like swimming underwater, and I like being able to see where I am going. That means I end up with red, blurry eyes every time I swim in a pool. I remember at least one time that I could not see clearly until halfway through the next day! Also, you always have to remember to shower off and rinse out your swimsuit after swimming. So, when I was given a chance to review ecosmartepool's eco-friendly pool treatment, I jumped at the chance. What do you mean you can have a safe, clean pool without all those chemicals? I didn't know it was possible.

Looking around the ecosmartepool site, I learned a lot. Chlorine, the most popular method of sanitizing pool water, works because it kills anything organic. That means that, in addition to killing bacteria and algae and all the bad stuff, it also attacks the skin, hair, and eyes of the humans swimming in it, and maintaining chlorine levels at minimal acceptable levels is very hard to do. Research has shown a possible link between chlorine and cancer, and it has also been linked to asthma. This is not good stuff.

Some pool systems use salt chlorinators, which turn salt into chlorine, meaning you don't have to purchase chlorine, but you are still swimming in it. The cost is better than buying chlorine, but the salt generator has to run constantly, eating up any savings by increasing electrical costs. A major drawback of chlorine generators is the amount of maintenance required. Mineral deposits can build up, and the slightest blockage means that it will not work until it is cleaned. Maybe I'm lazy, but if I had a pool, I know I would rather spend more time swimming in it than taking care of it. Also, with these types of pool systems, the chamber may need to be replaced every 3-5 years, at a cost of more than $400, and they cause damage and calcium build-up on pool equipment, meaning that has to be replaced more often, too. The backwash kills plant life and sterilizes the soil so that nothing can grow around the pool.

Ecosmarte pool systems are a better choice all around. They use no salt, no chemicals, no chlorine. The system creates two sanitizing agents, copper ionization and liquid oxidation. Copper ionization was developed in 1967 for the Apollo Space Program to ensure safe drinking water, and the ECOsmarte System uses this same technology. The copper ions are safe and essential for humans, plants and animals. In fact, they say that if you drank 2 gallons of pool water, you would only ingest the amount of copper found in a multi-vitamin. However, these copper ions are lethal to bacteria, algae and some viruses. The oxidizers created by the oxidation process are responsible for removing body oils, suntan lotions, and the dead organic matter killed by the copper ions. The copper bars in the ECOsmarte chamber cost less than $100 to replace and they should last 4-7 years. The ECOsmarte chamber is warranted for 5 years and should last indefinitely. Also, the maintenance on this system is pretty simple, involving checking the water once a week and simply flipping the switch on the system.

No, I don't really understand how it works, but if I had a pool I would love to try it. I love the idea of swimming in nice, clean water without chemicals. I love the idea of being able to spend more time swimming than taking care of the pool. Also, if for any reason you are not pleased with the Ecosmarte system, you can return in within 60 days of purchase and get 100% of your money back. They say that in the last 10 years less than 1% of all units sold have been returned. I think that says a lot.

The ECOsmarte system is better for your health, better for your pool equipment and pool filters, and better for the environment because it uses no chemicals and is extremely energy efficient, costing only $1 per month to operate. Ecosmarte also donates 5% of their profits to environmental charities.

Swimming in a Ecosmarte treated pool is like swimming in bottled water. No more red eyes, and no need to shower off after swimming!

2 comments:

  1. We have a pool that is enclosed and it uses minimal amounts of chemicals as it doesn't get "stuff" dropped in it from the trees and night time critters, and the stuff that comes out of the sky when it rains. We also don't have children that are using it instead of the bathroom ;). The sun requires more chemicals to be added to the water (which ours is saved from direct sunlight).
    I know for some people they like a pool to get a tan but we use a pool for relaxation and exercise.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would also take a look at using 100% post consumer recycled glass media www.glasspackfilter.com for your pools filtration. This is not only the greenest product you can use to filter your pool water it’s also the best. We started out only using this product with the ECOsmarte pool system, and now I have builders all over the world installing it on any and all pool types. That’s right 100% post consumer recycled glass from the great USA being machined like sugar and shipped overseas to be reused. Not only does it work great, it should make you feel good for using it.
    Jeremy

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments! Keep them coming.