Designing for the Long Haul

Infinity Pool Design’s sustainable approach 

Infinity Pool Design, located in the high mountain region of Utah and serving customers throughout the Mountain West, embraces sustainability in its pool projects by tailoring efficient solutions to its unique environment and customer needs. Given the area’s climate — marked by significant freeze-thaw cycles and cooler temperatures — Infinity’s approach is designed to optimize energy efficiency and reduce chemical usage without compromising performance through several approaches.

AOP systems for chemical efficiency

In response to growing concerns over chlorine availability and environmental impact, Infinity Pool Design has made advanced oxidation process systems a cornerstone of its projects. AOP drastically reduces the need for chlorine while maintaining superior water quality. 

“It’s a much more natural way to sanitize your pool,” says Spencer Gothberg, design and sales lead at Infinity, highlighting the improved look and feel of the water, which is gentler on skin and hair. Beyond the comfort and health benefits, AOP systems offer economic advantages by lowering the long-term chlorine costs. 

“The main selling point is cutting down on chlorine usage,” Gothberg says. “You’ll have 70% to 80% less chlorine in your pool, and the water clarity is much better.”

The company also installs an inline chlorine tap meter for minimal chlorine supplementation, ensuring a thorough sanitation process while reducing chemical use. By offering a solution that balances cost, water quality and environmental impact, Infinity Pool Design caters to a growing number of clients interested in greener options for pool maintenance.

Heat retention with darker finishes and efficient systems

Another of Infinity’s sustainable approaches is maximizing heat retention through design and material choices. In Utah’s cooler climate, pool heating is essential, and the company leverages darker pebble or quartz finishes, which attract and retain heat naturally. 

“The darker you go with the finish, the more heat you’re going to attract,” Gothberg explains, making these materials an effective way to reduce the energy needed to maintain comfortable pool temperatures.

In addition to heat-attracting materials, Infinity Pool Design uses dark-colored automatic covers on nearly all its projects to retain heat and prevent evaporation, further enhancing energy efficiency. These covers are often a regulatory requirement but offer the dual benefit of reducing heat loss and conserving natural resources. Paired with high-efficiency boilers, which boast up to 95% efficiency compared to standard models, this strategy minimizes heating costs while extending the lifespan of the equipment.

Forever construction products

Choosing durable, long-lasting materials is another key to sustainability. In Utah, where freeze-thaw cycles can wreak havoc on pool structures, using the right construction materials is vital. “We use what we call ‘forever construction products’ in most of our builds,” says Chris Seeger, chief operating officer. “The upfront cost is sometimes a little higher, but they last much longer in our harsh climates.”

One of these materials is a pebble finish, which has a longer lifespan compared to traditional white plaster. “You get two to three times the life out of a pebble finish than you would with plaster,” Gothberg says, pointing out that a pebble finish not only looks great but also holds up well in Utah’s climate, reducing the need for repairs.

Additionally, Infinity uses large-format porcelain tiles that are frost-proof. “We found that breaking a 12×24-inch tile in half to make a 6×24-inch tile actually helps with durability,” Gothberg says. These tiles stick to the walls better, leading to fewer issues with popping and breaking, a common problem in the area. 

The company also relies on setting materials with warranties of 25 years or more, understanding that fewer call-backs equal less waste. “We don’t have to go back out and take care of projects in the future, so you’re using less material [in the end],” Gothberg says.

Variable-speed pumps and oversized plumbing 

Energy-efficient pumps are a game-changer for Infinity Pool Design, particularly when combined with optimized plumbing systems. “Variable-speed pumps and larger plumbing are our go-to because they’re highly energy efficient and practical,” Seeger says, and they save a significant amount of energy compared to single-speed pumps. The company also oversizes the plumbing by at least a half inch on most projects to improve water circulation and extend the life of the pumps.

“We run everything through a hydraulic calculation in our design process to make sure we are achieving the correct amount of flow design for that pump and the filters and gears,” Gothberg says. “It’s a two- or four-step process, but in the end, customers are much happier with the performance of their pool and the longevity of their equipment.”

Efficient fleet management using telemetrics

Beyond the construction site, Infinity Pool Design has taken steps to improve the efficiency of its fleet operations. Covering a sweeping service area, including Utah as well as parts of Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona, requires strategic planning to minimize fuel usage. “We use a product called Samsara, a telemetrics system that helps us monitor everything from vehicle diagnostics to fuel consumption and maintenance,” Seeger says.

The system tracks the fleet’s location and ensures vehicles are running as efficiently as possible. “By using telemetrics, we’ve been able to reduce fuel costs, cut down on maintenance and extend the lifespan of our vehicles,” Seeger says. The system also helps the company monitor driver behavior to ensure it is getting the most out of each trip and vehicle. Infinity has even adopted smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles when trucks aren’t necessary, helping to further reduce its environmental impact.

At every stage of its operations, Infinity Pool Design is committed to reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Whether through AOP systems, heat-retaining finishes, durable construction materials, energy-efficient pumps or smart fleet management, the company has made sustainability a cornerstone of its business model. By focusing on long-term savings and high-quality products, Infinity Pool Design shows investing in sustainability benefits the environment, the company’s bottom line and customers. 

“Obviously, a lot of what we do depends on what the client wants,” Seeger says. “But as the ‘experts,’ we try to gear them toward products and things we think will work well for them.”

In each 2025 issue, we will showcase a pool or company focused on energy efficiency and sustainability with an article and video highlighting its features.