Elements of the Earth by David M. Brown of Green Living Arizona
Water
photography by Dino Tonn
Annually since 1985, Mike Ferraro’s Scottsdale-based Phoenician Pool and Spa has installed and rebuilt about 50 to 60 custom-designed residential and commercial pools and spas throughout Arizona. He also specializes in all glass-tile installations and large glass windows above or below surface.
Ferraro explains that a variety of new energy-efficient pumps and cleaning systems, such as the Pentair variable speed pumps, are available as well as solar systems. “They’re quiet and save up to 90 percent on energy use,” Ferraro said. “Most traditional pumps are energy hogs and the use of energy-efficient pumps can save you hundreds of dollars or more in costs over their lifetimes.”
Solar pool heating uses the existing pool pump, Ferraro explained. Pool water moves through valves to the exterior solar collectors, rising to the top. Through the panels, the sun heats the water, which then returns to the pool. This cycle repeats until the desired pool temperature is reached.
Saltwater is another recent sustainable pool innovation, Ferraro said. Also a Pentair product, the IntelliChlor® generator electrolytically converts ordinary table salt, sodium chloride, to pure chlorine, the standard pool sanitizer.
The salt recycles, reducing the need to continually replenish it, and the generator also self-cleans. “You never have to transport heavy chlorine compounds again, and your children will never have stinging eyes again,” Ferraro said. “And, because fewer resources are used in its production, the product is also environmentally responsible.”
