COST: Usually the first major consideration when planning to build your home swimming pool is cost. Pools can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $100,000 and above. You can buy an above-ground pool very cheaply and they come in kit form that you can assemble yourself to really save some money on the budget. If you live on a slope and have the space you may well be able to build an above ground pool and merge it into some decking so it looks like it’s an in-ground pool. As soon as you go to in-ground options the prices get a lot higher. In-ground swimming pools require a lot of engineering work and more expensive materials and the larger the pool gets the greater the disparity in pricing. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of decking when budgeting for your new pool!

SIZE AND SHAPE: What is your pool going to be used for? If you are just planning on swimming laps you’ll probably want a lap pool (anything over 10m in length is recommended). If you have kids that will want to splash around you will need to go for something a bit wider – a keyhole shape or an elliptical pool. Most above ground pools come in set designs but in-ground concrete pools can be moulded to any shape you like.

LOCATION: If your pool is going to be outside you’ll want to position it where it gets plenty of sunlight to help warm it during the day. Adding a shade-sail is a nice touch and will provide a place to cool off in the midday sun. You will also want to place the pool somewhere that has good visibility from the rest of the house – if there is an accident you will need to be able to respond very quickly and you should never leave children un-supervised in a swimming pool.

DEPTH: If you have very small children you might want to go for a design that ramps down from a zero depth to allow them to splash around in safety at one end of the pool. If you are a keen diver and want to add a diving board to your swimming pool you should aim to have a depth of at least 3 meters. The deepest part of the pool should be in the middle of the pool if it is to be used for diving as this is where you’ll land when coming off the diving board! If you are going to teach swimming or have private swimming lessons you will probably want to be able to stand up comfortably anywhere in the pool.

PRIVACY: If your property is over-looked by your neighbours you will want to consider screening trees or fencing options. Take a walk around your proposed site and try to imagine what will be visible and where you will need screening.

ACCESS: How are you going to access your new pool? You may need to add pathways, decking, doorways etc. Be sure to include all of these in your budgeting.

SAFETY: Most cities now have stringent laws requiring high fencing and self-locking gates. Many options are available from glass pool fencing to metal fencing. Requirements vary so be sure to check with your local council. Make sure there are no climbable objects overhanging your pool fence. Backyard drownings account for an horrific number of child deaths each year so it’s incredibly important you adhere to the guidelines.

HEATING: You can heat your pool using solar heating, gas heating or electric heating. The ideal temperature is 25 degrees Celsius. A great cost-saver is a solar/thermal blanket which will help keep your pool warm over night. The choice of heating system will vary depending on budget and where you live. Solar is a great choice as it has no on-going costs.

SALT/CHLORINE: Salt water pools are by far the best option as they contain no chemicals (other than salt!), they don’t sting your eyes and they’re very safe for small children. Chlorine pools cost a bit less to setup and maintain but can irritate the skin and is dangerous to inhale.

STORAGE: You’ll want to allocate an area for storage of towels, toys, pool tools (cleaning equipment, nets for leaves etc) and a blanket for your pool. Be sure to factor this in to the design of the area around your pool (and make sure it doesn’t constitute a climbable access point!).

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Swimming pool heaters are a must to help in the control of the temperature of your pool’s water. There are a number of heater types, but the two most common are the standard and the solar swimming pool heaters. Should you decide on getting a solar heater, just be sure that you have a pool that is properly located, mean which it receives ample amount of sunlight, otherwise it will just be a waste of financial resources.

You can try having the standard heater, which is powered by gas. This is one of the most popular means of powering your heater. Or perhaps you can use oil if in case you are located in areas where gas is not available. Of course, while this is the common means of heating your swimming pool, they are not necessarily the cleanest, in terms of caring for our environment. Definitely the most environment friendly are the solar swimming pool heaters, as they use the power of the sun to in order run and warm up the water.

One of the most efficient means of heating up your pool water is the electric type of heater. However, it should be noted that electric pool heaters are the most expensive to use. Unlike the solar heaters however, which might be unreliable during rainy or long cloudy days, electric heaters work for your pool effectively all year round.

Likewise, solar pool heaters can also be very expensive initially. You still need to purchase and install a pump that would bring water from the pool to the panels for it to be heated. Needless to say, this particular pump can be expensive too. However, you might just want to consider solar heaters for your pool as an investment as in the long run, you will save significant money because of zero expenses on power to run such heaters.

For more interesting articles and discussions on pools such as solar swimming pool heaters, do visit our Swimming Pools for You blog.

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Majority of people who live in warmer climates around the United States have installed residential swimming pools. It does not mean that for buying a quality swimming pool, a person has to live in a warm climate. Getting a swimming pool is the nicest way to enjoy the most refreshing and energetic bath. However, it is always advised to safeguard the pool so that you can get the best results every time. There are a number of ways through which you can protect the pool for year round use. If you’re thinking about installing a pool, you need to consider whether you want to install a permanent home improvement fixture or purchase an above ground pool.

Want to install a good swimming pool at your home? People who wish to install residential swimming pools need to decide how much money they want to spend on the project. Justifying a realistic budget will help a person to determine the type of materials to be used in the construction of the pool. In addition, you will be able to choose the most desired size, shape and design extras. It’s important to take some time to think through this project, as it will be a permanent addition to your home.

Advantages of Installing Fiberglass Residential Swimming Pools

Many people choose to install fiberglass residential swimming pools at their backyards. These pools are easy to install and often last longer than their concrete alternatives. The best thing about these pools is that you can choose the most economical pool with matching size and shape so as to fit the look and feel of your home. It’s a good idea to consult with the pool dealer or manufacturer to make sure your home meets all the requirements for installing your new pool.

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A question ask at Yahoo.com Answers…

My pool is a concrete in-ground pool and I need to know what kind of chlorine is used generally- also powder vs. tablets. Thanks.

Here is some of the Answers that this person received…

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Spring is in the air, and now would be a great time to think about ways to contribute to the environment. One way to do so, if you have an outdoor swimming pool, is to consider a solar pool heating system. Not only will it save you money, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The system is fairly simple to create. The pool provides the thermal storage, so there is no need to purchase anything for this particular aspect. And, the pump that is currently used to filter the water in the pool will also circulate the water through the solar collectors.

Pool Cover

A pool cover will drastically save on heating costs and cost, on average, around $120. Not only that, but this will also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful to our environment. David Boehmer states, “…all other pool heating methods…should only be used in conjunction with a pool cover. Not to do so would be like running your house air conditioner during August with the doors and windows open. The system will still work, but the operating cost will be as much as three times higher.” Visit the United States Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website to peruse estimates of how much it costs to heat a pool with and without a pool cover.

One of the reasons swimming pool covers are so effective is due to the loss of water incurred through evaporation. A pool cover alone can provide up to 50%-70% savings. There are various types of pool covers that you can consider in your purchasing decision. Bubble (or solar) covers are probably the least costly. Vinyl covers, however, are made of a thicker material and tend to have a longer life expectancy than bubble covers.

As stated, pool covers provide savings in your energy costs. However, they also have the following benefits:

* They conserve water by reducing the amount of make-up water needed by 30%-50%

* They reduce the pool’s chemical consumption by 35%-60%

* They reduce cleaning time by keeping dirt and other debris out of the pool

Solar Swimming Pool Heaters

A solar pool heater can significantly reduce the costs you acquire through heating your pool. Not only are they similar in price with other heating options, but they also have extremely low annual operating costs. When compared in many climates, they actually come out on top as being the most cost effective. These types of swimming pool heaters generally last longer than their gas and heat pump counterparts. With proper maintenance, they can last anywhere from ten to twenty years. Here is what is usually included in solar swimming pool heaters:

* A solar collector – the device through which pool water is circulated to be heated by the sun

* A filter – removes debris before water is pumped through the collector

* A pump – circulates water through the filter and collector and back to the pool

* A flow control valve – automatic or manual device that diverts pool water through the solar collector

The material that solar pool collectors are made of varies, and the specific type you will need is dependent on what climate you live in.

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