The beauty and health benefits of natural swimming
We are big fans of natural swimming pools here at Solarsense and have recently installed a 30kWp PV system for a farmhouse in Pilton, where the owner was also having a natural swimming pool built. We have therefore invited Krystian, the owner of Gaius Aqua, the company installing the pool, to tell us a little about what a natural swimming pool is, how they work and how they can enhance your garden; offering a range of health benefits at the same time.
Solar and swimming pools go hand in hand, both benefiting from their most productive times of year in the summer. It therefore makes sense to combine the two entities in order to seek a number of financial and environmental benefits.
What is a natural swimming pool?
A natural pool or pond is a body of water that you can swim in that doesn’t have or need toxic chemicals like chlorine or hydrogen peroxide to remain clean and safe. They can range from natural looking ponds with water plants, reeds, marginals and oxygenators to something that looks just like a standard swimming pool.
How do you keep the water safe and clean in a natural pool?
There are many ways of doing this but in every natural swimming pool the idea is to limit the nutrients, generally phosphates, that are in the water. This restricts the amount of food for the bugs and bacteria that make their way into the water, killing them quickly and safely.
In a planted pool it’s the plants and plant substrate that consumes and limits the nutrients, whereas in a naturally filtered pool (which can look like a standard swimming pool) it will be the filtration, generally with the use of a bio-filter and other additions that limit the nutrients.
Are there health benefits associated with natural swimming?
Yes. As well as offering great exercise, natural swimming has been shown to improve the immune system, increase circulation, relieve stress and reduce anxiety. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of Wim Hof, but he’s made cold water swimming very popular at the moment. I’m not entirely convinced by everything he has to say but he’s done some very interesting research linking cold water swimming (or cold therapy as he calls it) to an increase in efficiency of the immune system, reduced inflammation and better sleep.
Another benefit to natural swimming is based around the cultivation of the skin microbiome. Much like the gut, the skin has its own natural microbiome that contributes to a stronger immune system. Since the natural pond is a healthy biological system, immersing your body within it will naturally improve the health of your own skin.
Can I heat my swimming pool with renewable energy?
Yes. There are a number of ways to heat your swimming pool throughout the year. Traditionally, the majority of people have heated their water using fossil fuels such as oil or gas, however, these conventional methods are not only finite but can prove to be rather expensive both financially and environmentally.
An increasing number of homeowners are now looking solely to renewable heating to reduce both their on-going runnings costs and carbon footprint or integrating renewable technologies to alleviate the demand on their traditional heating system.
Both solar thermal and heat pump technologies are a perfect match for swimming pools, producing a natural, optimum swimming temperature throughout the year. Both technologies are simple to install, require very little maintenance and allow you to future proof your energy supply as the UK moves towards phasing out gas and oil.
Solar thermal systems tend to be the more favourable option with a number of leisure centres and commercial swimming facilities such as Clifton Lido, already benefiting from huge financial savings.
How effective is solar heating for swimming pools?
The solar thermal system that is used to heat swimming pools operates in a very similar way to a solar thermal system that would be installed in your home and works most efficiently when integrated together; meeting up to 80% of your pool’s heating requirements whilst covering some of your domestic heating needs during the winter.
A solar thermal system will top up your pool’s heat most effectively just at the time that you are most likely to want to use your pool, taking the demand off your current system, reducing your fuel bills and improving the overall environmental impact of your pool.
Solar collectors work even in overcast weather because the sun’s thermal energy is unaffected by clouds. Active rain may cool them down, but they quickly regain their ideal temperature. Moreover, rain helps clean the collectors and makes maintenance easier than in dry climates.
Are there any other applications for generating renewable energy for swimming pools?
Yes. A correctly sized solar thermal system will also provide heating for your shower facilities. The Wave in Bristol proves how you can ensure an above average temperature of 42℃ whilst reducing their carbon emissions by more than 11,000kg per year. On top of this solar PV panels can offer a more efficient means to powering your electrical needs such as pumps, filters and lighting.
Contact us
For more information on heating your swimming pool with renewable energy please fill out the contact us form and one of our experts will get in touch asap. Alternatively to find out more on natural swimming pools please contact Krystian at Gaius Aqua, who will be more than happy to discuss your options.
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