Posts Tagged ‘swimming pools’
Pentair IntelliFLO pump - THE BEST PUMP ON THE MARKET!
Variable Speed Pool Pumps – The Future of Swimming Pools
By choosing the proper pump, Swimming pool owners can expect savings of at least $400/year.
The high energy usage of their pool and spa is something that very few pool owners truly understand. In fact, the pool motor is actually one of the largest energy demanding appliances they have in their home. It’s because standard pool and spa pumps are made with a single stage motor, that is very in-efficient. In the past, energy supply has been in abundance and energy saving efforts have not been considered – a norm in the swimming pool industry.
So how in-efficient is my pool pump? A recent study showed that to power California’s 1.2 million pools demands approximately the same output as one nuclear power or two conventional energy plants (study by Davis Energy Group for Pacific Gas & Electric – 2004). Imagine the energy consumption of ALL the swimming pools across the United States, and how this much impact our energy conservation efforts. Arizona too has an incredible count of private swimming pools per home, which is why Arizona pool builders are switching to these incredible new pumps.
The solution? Pumps working smarter, not harder.
In the past few years, pool and spa pumps and motors have been part of a huge power-saving improvement effort. The newest in power savings has come from the introduction of the revolutionary variable drive, variable speed pool pump. By using permanent magnetic motors, these new pool and spa pumps have been designed to use less energy. Permanent magnet motors, usually used in hybrid cars, provide about 30% electricity savings over standard induction motors. By simply programming the pump to work at the least required speed for each pool task (heating, cleaning, circulation, water features, etc.) electricity reduction can be as much as 90%!
By using a swimming pool pump at its slowest speed required to complete a job, it will dramatically reduce the energy usage (only because it takes less power to push water slowly than quickly). Did you know? By reducing pump speed by half reduces power needed to an eighth of what was needed previously to get the job done. Simply put, these new pumps allow the swimming pool owner to program and “dial in” the pump speed to achieve the minimum electricity use.
Energy Savings of $620 to $1,350
According to Pentair Pool and Spa, their IntelliFlo® and IntelliPro™ variable drive pumps routinely reduce energy use up to 90%, depending on the models and circumstances for average savings of $620 to $1,350 annually. Based on normal pool usage over one to three years, many pool owners are updating their old pumps because a new variable drive pump will actually pay for itself.
Energy delivery charges are even higher in Arizona, and with Phoenix’s huge pool and spa count, this new pool pump has become an absolute necessity for pool builders in AZ when constructing swimming pools. California’s attention to eco-friendly products makes switching to an energy efficient pump even more necessary.
Specific Examples of how IntelliFlo Pentair pumps can be factored in your swimming pool:
This swimming pool pump can be used for an in-floor cleaning system booster pump, and it’s set at 2900 Rev’s per minute, which is about the same as a two horsepower pool pump. The same pump can be dialed down to a half HP swimming pool pump to circulate & clean the water of the pool and spa. Imagine a low and fast speed spa jet mode… this can be set up with a variable speed pump, some simple pool automation systems, and the push of a button!) Another common use is the setting to control the volume of a fountain or pool water feature (it is also known to be used by high end residential Phoenix landscape companies to control the flow & sound of custom landscape waterfalls & ponds). The IntelliFlo Pentair pump can be set for multiple speeds - giving you a low speed water feature for a quiet evening outside, or you can turn the speed higher for MAX PRESSURE for a family gathering!
Nation’s Economy – Greatly Affecting Small Businesses
6 decades, there are many industries that are tremendously affected, but go unnoticed~A large quantity of industries and U.S. businesses are struggling indirectly because of the national recession~The largest recession that U.S. residents and businesses have seen in the past 40 years continues to indirectly affect many small businesses}. Some of the main issues have stemmed from the financing and loan programs, stock market, banks and the nation’s property value decline. Many major U.S. owned businesses, that employ millions of Americans, are also being affected by the recent decline in these important industries.
At the center of the housing market and property value decline is Phoenix, Arizona – one of the most affected locations in the country. These buyers all have property that has greatly depreciated in value over the past two years (sometimes being down hundreds of thousands of dollars). Home foreclosures are on the rise, repossessions are common place, and people are just walking away from their homes because of lack of home equity.
For those owners who are not affected by unemployment, housing market decline, and stock market woes – they quickly find out they are incorrect. When most homeowners desire to make enhancements to their homes, they may need financing or some sort of financial loan. This home improvement loan generally comes from a local bank, credit union, or credit agency. Over the past 2 years, these loans have not been available for prospecting buyers of home improvements such as home remodeling, swimming pools and landscaping.
Since up to 65% of swimming pool customers require financial assistance or loans, Phoenix swimming pool builders have been one of the hardest hit businesses. If a pool loan is not available, swimming pool and construction companies end up losing the job, or selling a job that is much lower than anticipated. Arizona pool companies have struggled tremendously with the downswing in the economy and lack of financing – sometimes even closing their business, down-sizing, or diversifying into other industries. By offering a wider range of construction services, such as pool remodels, landscaping, and hardscaping, Intelligent pool contractors are generating additional revenue. General construction businesses have completely gone into other fields, such as sales, marketing, or consulting. By offering other landscape features such as outdoor kitchens, Phoenix BBQ islands, fire pits, and travertine patios, a few Phoenix Landscaping Contractors are producing extra money.
Some intelligent contractors have figured out the diversity game many years prior to this industry decline, such as Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools, a swimming pool and landscape Phoenix contractor. As a Phoenix pool builder, licensed general contractor, and landscaping contractor, Unique is able to offer their clients many different options when it comes to home improvement. “We’ve been able to make things happen despite these tough times, thank goodness we diversified several years ago, and have many different venues of swimming pools and landscape services to offer our clients. However, the major challenges have been the simple fact that these financing programs are just not available to the average customers.”
“It’s tough to think about all the money that was given to banking industry just a few months ago for these types of loans, and now it’s near impossible for our homeowners, who want to spend money, to get this assistance” remarks business owner Chris Griffin, of Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools in Mesa, AZ. It would be great for the economists to offer a little advice for the struggling construction companies, who are also suffering in this recession. “Business has been really slow, and over half of our sales leads don’t end up buying at all” says Griffin “It’s frustrating, but Phoenix pool loans are getting better”.
Summer is the time to enjoy your swimming pool and Salt Water Chlorinators are making them much easier to maintain. Salt water systems are becoming more popular for a variety of purposes, such as having to deal with less chemicals and the possibility of saving money. Even though the initial setup cost more than a traditional chlorine erosion feeder, the procedure keeps on making chlorine without having to put extra tablets in the feeder. Despite a higher up front investment, in the long run, pool managers will see reductions in the cost of tri-chlor tabs or hypochlorite tabs as well as in transportation and storage costs.
Automatically transform small amounts of any standard non-iodized table salt or watre softener grade salt into chlorine with Salt Water Chlorinators: more popularly known as Salt Chlorine Generators. You just need one teaspoon of salt for every gallon of pool water. Salt Chlorine Generators remove every irritating thing from your swimming pool and you end up with a clean swimming pool. Salt Chlorine Generators automatically change little bits of regular table salt without iodine or water softener standards of salt into chlorine, maintaining your swimming pool in a clean manner and without algae. For every gallon of pool water just add a teaspoon of salt.
Swimming Pool Salt chlorine generators makes purchasing, moving, and lifting chlorine something in the past. It functions by changing a little amount of salt into a pure version of chlorine that cleans your water, which then automatically turns back into salt again, prepared the the following sanitation cycle. Salt Chlorine Generators are the most simple method for you to clean your pool and keep the water totally clear.
Swimming pools in the future are likely to be santized through the use of saltwater chlorinators. Saltwater Chorine is much easier than traditional pool systems. In the last decade Saltwater Chlorination made its mark in the United States. It is very popular because it is easy to take care of, water standard and it is simple to manage algae.l
Swimming pool ownership brings with it responsibility for the safety of those using the pool and people and pets around the pool.
Every year a number of people are tragically injured or even die as a result of swimming pool related accidents. Some of the most common accidents and injuries include:
- People slipping and falling around the pool perimeter can result in various injuries, sometimes very serious
- Children and pets falling into an unattended swimming pool
- Children snagged by the swimming pool drain and held underwater
- Falls from the rim of above ground pools
- Above ground pools collapsing as a result of people standing or sitting on the rail or rim.
Employing a few basic safety steps and rules will go a long way towards lessening the hazards presented by a swimming pool.
Above Ground Pools
Above ground swimming pools are one of the most popular styles as these can be installed with minimal ground work often by a competent DIY enthusiast. When the pool is installed it is important to ensure that the access ladder is very secure and located where it can be used easily.
For users of an above ground pool it should be a rule that nobody should sit or attempt to stand on the rim or railing surrounding the pool. Falls from the edge can cause serious injury and the weight of a person could cause the pool wall to collapse.
In Ground Swimming Pools
In ground pools present their own safety hazards. Being at ground level means that it is much easier for a child or an animal to fall in. It should be a rule that children are only allowed in the pool when supervised by an adult. Another good rule is that there should be no running or horseplay around the perimeter of the swimming pool.
Swimming pool safety fencing, pool alarms and pool safety covers can all be used to keep people and pets away from an in ground pool when not in use.
Swimming Pool Chemicals
Swimming pool water treatment chemicals should be stowed away safely out of the reach of children. Handling water treatment chemicals means that appropriate protective clothing, gloves and goggles should be used. Always read and follow the manufacturers safety recommendations.
Pool Drains and Vents
There have been cases of small children trapped below the water by powerful pool water outlets. Pool drain covers should be inspected regularly and verified as safe. If the pool is used by small children they should be instructed to keep away from the outlet drains and it should be ensured that small children cannot be trapped by the suction.
Pool Electrical Equipment
Swimming pools use a variety of electrical equipment for circulating the water through filtration and cleaning. Equipment should be routinely inspected for safety ensuring that all cabling is safe and secure.
While it may seem like a chore to make a swimming pool safe and enforce some basic safety rules doing so will go a long way toward keeping people and pets safe and giving you peace of mind.
Above Ground Swimming Pool Build
The winter is the time of year when lots of people start to think about their summer holidays, heading off to sunnier and warmer climes. But the colder months are also the best time of year to build your own above ground swimming pool.
The current world-wide economic downturn is forcing many people to postpone their intended house moves as property values continue to depreciate. Uncertainty in the housing market is leading to many people looking at their existing homes and considering ways that they can enhance their property. Rooms in the roof, extensions, new kitchens and garden makeovers are all excellent ways to make the most of your current property, give you the space that you need and improve the quality of your life. Another is to add swimming pool to your garden.
Many think of pool building as a warm weather project. But building during the cooler months brings a number of advantages. You will find that swimming pool pricing out-of-season can be very favourable indeed, providing some significant savings over the prices charged during the peak months. Swimming pool availability is another factor that is influenced by the time of year. You’ll find it easier to find the pool that you want during the off-peak, low-demand period of the year. Also, delivery and installation can be more favourable outside of the peak summer months.
The big advantage is that your new swimming pool will have been installed and ready to use as soon as the weather turns that little bit warmer in the spring. When the warmer weather comes along you can be certain that your swimming pool supplier and installer will become incredibly busy with a backlog of orders and installations to fulfil.
My advice to anyone who has been toying with the idea of having their own swimming pool installed in their garden is to gather a few quotes from reputable swimming pool suppliers now. Use the prices provided to negotiate a substantial discount and get yourself a bargain pool installed and ready for some summer fun.
My family and I are great lovers of swimming. It’s such a fantastic way to not only get some much needed exercise but to unwind and relax.
Although we like to visit our local, open air pool, we can only do so in th summer months when it is open. During the winter we’d have to travel into the city to use the large municipal pool. Some lucky neighbours recently bought themselves a pool of their own and we are currently considering doing the same.
They chose an elliptical Doughboy pool for their back garden. I’d never heard of Doughboy before (except the Pillsbury Doughboy) but I was immensely impressed with the quality of their pool. Doughboy have been in the pool business since 1945 and they have really perfected the quality of their versatile and affordable swimming pools.
Doughboy pools are the most popular form of steel and resin swimming pool available in the UK today. They are very tough, durable and well priced. Our neighbours told us that it had taken them less than a weekend to get their pool erected.They included a pool heat pump to warm the water which makes it so comfortable the children never want to get out.
A really cool feature of Doughboy pools is their exapandability. You can increase the depth to a maximum of 7 feet which is great for when the children get that much bigger. Pools are supplied with a top quality pool liner, a sand filter, power pump and even a pool skimmer. All you need to add is a pool heater to take the chill off the water.
It’s easy to see why the Doughboy pool is the UKs most popular form of above ground pool. I think I’ve convinced myself. I think I shall contact the suppliers and order one for our back garden then brace myself for the hoard of children who will, no doubt, descend on our house.
With the weather starting to get us down I have been looking into the possibility of installing a pool in the garden in readiness for the great summer we are hoping to have!
There are so many on the market now and there is a great deal to learn about the various types there are to buy.
Some of the more popular swimming pools are the above ground variety. They come in many colours and designs starting at quite basic to quite luxurious.One thing to bear in mind is a ladder would be required to get in and out of these types of pools which might not be ideal for the young or the elderly.
Overall I think that the pools which are built into the ground are the favourite option for most home owners. It is possible to get more of a depth with these which is an advantage.
Of course there is always a certain amount of maintenance with either type of these pools. It is extremely important to make sure that the swimming pool filters, pumps and any mechanical parts are regularly maintained.
Of course when the new pool is first installed it looks so inviting. Just sitting there admiring the look of the cool clean water which seems to be saying “come on in” on a hot summers day! It is not always appreciated however just how much it takes to maintain your pool to a high standard.
Swimming pool chemicals are a must when it comes to keeping the pool in a healthy condition. There are Chlorine and Bromine feeders and it seems that with the aid of the systems on offer today there is really no excuse for not keeping your pool in immaculate condition.
There is nothing worse than the appearance of a neglected pool. It can in fact become a breeding ground to mosquitoes and other pests which in fact carry diseases. In this case it would probably be a wise precaution to get a cover for your new pool and keep it clean from the start.
So weighing up the pros and I think this will be a brilliant idea and something to look forward to in the summer months ahead.
If you have been lucky in life and been able to buy your own swimming pool, spa or hot tub. You will know that having a filter system in your pool is very important.
Due to the importance of having a filter system in your swimming pool. You should always make sure that it is working, if your filter system breaks down without you knowing, your pool could soon become deadly.
The first sign that your filter has stopped working is that dirt will begin to collect at the bottom of the pool, this is because the pool is not being cleaned by the filter, maybe not dangerous or life threatening, but certainly not fun to swim in.
The biggest reason why your filter system should always stay active is to circulate the swimming pool chemicals, such as chlorine. If your filter system stops working, the chemicals within your pool can stop circulating, this means that they can collect in the pool, making it cloudy to view. However, cloudy water wouldn't be your only worry, because the amount of chlorine has risen, it becomes very dangerous and potentially deadly.
Because chlorine is designed to kill bacteria, if it's in high concentration, it can become poisonous and can damage your skin.
So keeping your pool filter working can be life saving, however, if you have a pool filter or are going to get one, make sure that you have a drain on it. If you don't then this can prove to be a hazard. If a child or an adult gets sucked into the filter, it can seriously injure or even tear someone apart due to the force of the filter.
These are just a couple of tips that you should follow to ensure that your pool is safe and clean to use.
{Swim spa are getting more recognisable nowadays}. The new Eco swim spas from Elite Spas are built for those people who want a fully featured swim spa but on a budget. The major benefits are listed below:
- Price-Comes at a fraction of the cost compared to any swim spa in the UK
- Economical-Will save you money each month on energy bills
- Recycled Energy-Heat generated from the spa pumps is trapped and recycled back into the spa. It will save you money from recycling the heat within the spa.
- Quality-Bulit with the same quality as our standard swim spas
- Environment-Built using environmental manfacturing practices and ISO9001 certified.
- The swim spa comes at a reduced price but not the warranty. It is still backed up by our huge warranty (25 year structure, 7 year shell, 5 year parts and labour)
The Eco swim and Eco family swim spas come under the Eco range. The Eco Swim spa was built to feature all the aspects of a swim spa but at an outstanding price. The economical swim spa is Over 14′ 7′ feet long and features four swim jets powered by two powerful 5HP pumps. The swim jets create currents form a gentle flow – perfect for water jogging and resistance exercises. The swim spa offers two massage chairs to relax after a hard swim. The swims spa comes to light at night with the 32 LED lights.
The Eco family is perfect for a family of 6 who also want to swim. The Eco swim spa more economical and affordable compared to the luxury swim spa. This gives you the best of both worlds, not only a spa, but you can swim as well.
A swim spa lets you relax and socialise. Eco swim spa will save you money.
Having an Eco swim spa will give you the benefits of a full working swim spa but at a fraction of the cost. Contact your local hot tub/swim spa dealer for more information on cardio vascular health equipment for the home.