Green Your Pool -- Cover Up

Splashing around in a pool can be a guilty pleasure this time of year. Sure, there's a drought, but it's hot! We've gathered tips to help you minimize poolside waste this week. If you don't have a pool at home, share the eco-pool love with someone who does.

Fast fact: Covering a pool can reduce pool heating costs by 50 to 70 percent.

Solution: Keep the pool covered whenever it's not in use. This offers the biggest savings in dry or windy conditions, which allow major heat loss from evaporation. For an indoor pool, covers put a damper on humidity and permit less reliance on energy-sapping exhaust fans.

Exception: If you use the pool only at night in a hot and humid climate (where less heat escapes through evaporation), letting the sun strike a pool uncovered during the day can mean lower heating costs.

Share your tips and ideas for keeping an eco-friendly pool or throwing a green pool party.