Sustainable practices – Smaller pools: More options, lower costs, and eco-friendly

by tanya_martins_2 | February 1, 2025 3:11 pm

By Jonathan Davis

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Today’s market views the backyard as an extension of the home. Therefore, it is no surprise that consumers want to maximize the utility of the backyard with decks, patios, outdoor seating, firepits, and swimming pools. Additionally, savvy consumers look for landscape designs requiring less irrigation and maintenance. So, too, are they looking for more sustainable swimming pools, therefore using less electricity, chemicals and water. As a result, homeowners do not want big pools that dominate the backyard but are asking builders to install smaller pools that take up less space and are more sustainable in their design and maintenance.

Small pools are, therefore, growing in popularity. Nick Liput, founder of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Living in Englewood, Colo., is a one-stop backyard living general contractor.

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“We have multiple divisions, including carpentry for building decks and patio covers, a hardscape division that builds fireplaces and firepits, a full landscaping division, and a division that builds pools,” says Liput. “The biggest new trend this year has been the installation of small pools; we installed 24 small pools this year that were 2.1 x 4.8 m (7 x 16 ft) or smaller. This was in addition to all the larger pools we built.”

Liput explains that the demand for smaller pools is growing exponentially for many reasons. Smaller backyards are one of the primary factors, as many people no longer have the space for a big pool. These compact options serve as spaces to cool off in the summer but leave enough room for other backyard elements on the homeowner’s wish lists, such as outdoor kitchens and firepits. Smaller pools can even be equipped with jets, which allow users to swim against the current for fitness training or rehabilitation.

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“We are selling a model we call a ‘cocktail pool,’ which is used as a pool to cool off in the summer but is then converted into a hot tub in the winter,” says Liput. “It gives consumers so much more functionality and year-round use. In the winter, all our ‘cocktail pools’ are heated to 38.8 to 40 C (102 to 104 F), so now the pool that can be used 12 months a year where consumers cool off in the summer, stay warm in the winter and get much more out of their investment,” says Liput.

Many astute builders have recognized these trends and are designing outdoor living spaces incorporating smaller pools, firepits, outdoor kitchens, patio seating, and hot tubs or “cocktail pools” so homeowners can enjoy their outdoor living spaces year-round.

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Compact pools offer greater sustainability and affordability

Builders are also informing their clients of the cost and energy benefits of these compact pools and their lower price points. Their smaller heating systems and simpler and smaller filters and pumps make these models more energy-efficient and cost-effective.

“When our clients heat their 2.1 x 4.3 m (7 x 14 ft) ‘cocktail pool’ up to 38.8 C (102 F) in the winter, it costs them around $40 a month versus our pools, which can cost anywhere from $750 to $1,200 per month to heat in the winter.”

Additionally, smaller pools are much smaller bodies of water, so they conserve water just because they are smaller than traditional swimming pools. In addition to making it easier and more efficient to heat less water, fewer chemicals are needed to keep the water balanced, and it is easier to keep the pool clean.

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“Our cocktail pools are also fully insulated, so it’s easier to keep the water warm, making them more sustainable,” says Liput. “Some of our clients also turn their small pools into plunge pools, another unique selling point. Instead of three products, clients can install one product, making this small pool even more environmentally sustainable.”

Many pool professionals report that consumers are requesting smaller pools that allow them to still have multiple features and entertainment areas in their outdoor living spaces. Additionally, they are attracted to the lower price of a smaller pool, which gives more of their budget to other features like covered patio areas, outdoor kitchens, and firepits.

Consumers are also attracted to the consistent standing depth because the pool is ideal for socializing, playing games, and lounging in the water. The smaller fibreglass pools often have elongated benches on their left and right sides, extending out from the steps, making them ready for all kinds of entertaining for kids and adults. Even if the smaller pool is not turned into a hot tub, these seating areas can still be outfitted with therapy jets for a spa-like effect.

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Smaller pools can also easily accommodate automatic covers, which attracts clients looking for an easy opening and closing. Liput shares that his region is classified as a desert and emphasizes the significance of water conservation in that area. A key factor to consider when talking about building energy-efficient pools is their effect on water conservation. Installing energy-efficient pool equipment can significantly help conserve valuable resources and minimize water waste by reducing water evaporation and optimizing chemical use. One of the most effective solutions for preventing water loss is the installation of automatic covers. These covers help reduce evaporation, which in turn keeps pool chemicals in the water instead of allowing them to escape into the air. This results in lower water usage, reduced utility costs, and decreased chemical expenses.

Smaller pools are faster to build and more profitable

Fibreglass pools are becoming the preferred choice, especially for busy builders and service professionals looking to install pools. With smaller fibreglass pools readily available to builders, it is easy for them to take on more with just a small crew and an excavator. The quick installation of these smaller pools will have clients ready to swim faster and allow builders to add more jobs to their schedules.

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“We can start building a pool on a Monday and be done by Friday,” says Liput. “We tell our customers they can be in their new ‘cocktail pool’ in five days or less versus a traditional, larger pool which can take much, much longer.”

The speed of installation is terrific both for customer satisfaction as well as for revenue and profits. Liput explains that 2024 was the first year they started building and installing these types of pools. “The new ‘cocktail pool’ accounted for 25 per cent of our 2024 annual revenue, just for this one product.”

Smaller pools make backyards feel bigger

With the popularity of more functional outdoor setups, most homeowners already have an idea of how they would like to lay out their backyards with a smaller swimming pool. Having access to Houzz and a myriad of online resources, most consumers come to pool builders and designers with ideas that incorporate a smaller pool. Therefore, pool builders need to be prepared with smaller pool options that meet their client’s backyard dreams.

In terms of placement, most builders recommend during the design stage that the pool be placed at the farthest edge of the property, to help make the backyard look as big as possible. This also allows the design to accommodate spas, fire pits, and seating areas, which makes the configuration more functional—especially during the winter months when the pool might be closed.

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Smaller pools are great for exercise

Some active consumers are looking to get more fitness benefits from their pools. As a result, they have been asking builders about including lap pools in their backyards. Some builders find that a large portion of this demand originates from individuals in the 50 to 70 age range. However, many of these clients are also empty nesters with smaller backyards. Due to this constraint, installing a true lap pool is rarely possible, as it would take up too much space and become costly to heat and maintain. As an alternative, builders are offering to install swim jet systems on smaller pools to provide the same exercise benefits of lap pools at a fraction of the space and cost.

Requests for exercise swim jets have increased in the last few years. They are ideal for clients looking to add an exercise feature to their smaller pools. Many older, active adults swim as a rehabilitation method or to vary their exercise routines since swimming is not as stressful on the body. Many swim jet systems also include a built-in LED light, giving the pool an added selling feature.

Conclusion

The growing demand for functionality has inspired clients to make the most of their outdoor living spaces. Incorporating a smaller pool into the design will allow builders and homeowners to maximize space and budget and include other must-have features—regardless of the size of the backyard. Embracing energy-efficient pool building benefits the pool owner financially and environmentally and enhances the overall swimming experience for everyone involved.

It is important to continue exploring and implementing innovative solutions to make pools more sustainable and efficient long-term. By embracing innovation, implementing best practices, and fostering a commitment to sustainability, the industry can create pools that are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and enjoyable for customers. It is the right thing to do.

Author

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Jonathan Davis received his bachelor of science in electrical engineering and immediately went into project management for custom residential home construction for nine years. From there, he ran the fibreglass pool
division of an excavation company in Northern Indiana for more than eight years. He is now the director of customer relations for Thursday Pools, a manufacturer of innovative fibreglass pools in Indiana. He can be reached at j.davis@thursdaypools.com.

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/sustainable-practices-smaller-pools-more-options-lower-costs-and-eco-friendly/

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