Cannonball Pool Service

Pool Service Maintenance & Repair

Pool Pump Efficiency

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Let’s talk about pool pump efficiency. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) there are more than 4.5 million in-ground residential pools in the United States, and they consume between $1.1 and $1.6 billion in energy costs per year. Energy usage will differ depending on swimming season length, energy rates, and if your pool is heated. A pool pump can be the 2nd largest energy consumer in a home with a pool. Most often, the largest. Pool pumps are huge energy hogs, but they serve a great purpose.

Why Pool Pumps Are Needed

Pool pumps provide an important function for water circulation through filtration. Pool pumps are necessary for your water filtration. The filtration system keeps your pool water clean and clear. In short, there is no getting around not having a pool pump.

Single Speed Pool Pump

A single speed pump runs 5 – 6 hours a day (some even 24 hours) consuming energy. These pool pumps are typically oversized & overused. A single-speed pool pump by design can’t change its’ flow rate. The pump ends up running when it is not needed. This means that 90% of the time these pool pumps will provide greater circulation than what is needed. Single-speed pumps only have 30% – 70% efficiency ratings.

Variable Speed Pool Pump

Now, let’s talk about variable speed pool pumps. Variable speed pumps are designed with a 90% efficiency rating. These pumps are designed to reduce flow rate when it is not needed (i.e. tasks that require minimum flow). This means less energy usage. You can save $600 – $1100 off your utility bill annually because of the lower energy usage. The amount does vary depending on your utility and the size of your pool.

The Additional Advantage

The advantage of variable speed pumps go above and beyond energy savings. Variable speed pumps tend to last longer, require less maintenance, and are quieter. The slower circulation rates also put less strain on the filters, plumbing, & other parts of your pool equipment. All of this reduces the chance of leaks, repairs, or premature plumbing problems. This means less maintenance costs as well!

The Downside

Variable speed pumps are more costly. The average cost with installation ranges from $1,500 – $2,000. In comparison, replacing a single-speed
pump will range from $400 to $700. Some utilities provide rebates for upgrading your single speed pool pumps. DSIRE is a great resource to see if your local utility provides a rebate.

The Conclusion

Variable speed pump are a great option for pool pump efficiency. They cost more up front but have a huge payback in the end. Upgrading not only saves money but can also extend the life of your pool equipment. In the end, it is worth it to upgrade your pool pump to a more energy efficient variable speed pump.

Make Your Pool Energy Efficient

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It’s no secret that swimming pools are huge energy consumers. The average swimming pool costs $80 to $150 per month or about $960 to $1,800 per year just for electricity (depending on the size of the pool, location, etc.). Most homeowners see a 30% to 50% increase in their electric bills every season. Believe it or not, you are not stuck with higher utility bills when you own a pool. There are ways to cut back on energy, thus saving money on your utility bills. Here is how to make your pool energy efficient.

Upgrade Your Pool:

  • Change Out Pool Lighting – Replace inefficient pool lights with LED lights. An LED light can save you roughly 87% on your energy usage compared to a comparable incandescent light. Although LED pool lights do cost more than an incandescent light, your cost savings will not start till you recoup the additional money that you spent on the LED lights. LED pool lights are the preferred technology due to their durability, reliable performance & efficiency.
  • Upgrade Your Pool Pump – Upgrade to a variable speed pool pump. Variable Speed Pool Pumps reduce electricity costs and create power to keep your pool equipment running strong. They are the most energy efficient pool pump, saving pool owners hundreds of dollars per year compared to single speed pumps. According to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR website, traditional single-speed pool pumps could be the home’s second largest energy user for homes with in-ground swimming pools. Variable-speed pool pumps can save on energy usage and reduce the carbon footprint of outdoor living spaces.
  • Automated Pool Controls – Pool automation can save you frustration and money every day, help you get even more return on your pool investment, & allow you to spend more time swimming and less time maintaining. By automating essential pool and spa functions, you can save up to 70% on your pool’s energy costs. They make your pool more efficient and make the most difference when you have complex or spread-out pool equipment.
  • Energy Efficient Pool Heaters – Improve your swimming pool’s heating and energy efficiency. Install an energy efficient pool heater to reduce heating costs. New gas swimming pool heaters have a standard test they go through to determine their energy efficiency based on their Btu output. Today, you’ll find some gas pool heaters with 89%–95% efficiency. Proper installation and maintenance of your gas pool heater can optimize its efficiency. It’s best to have a qualified pool professional install & maintain pool equipment.

Swimming Pool Safety

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Swimming pools are great for family fun. With all that fun, comes a downside. Big responsibilities come with being a swimming pool owner. Pool safety is a must when it comes to friends and family swimming in your pool. There is much more to it than pool covers, alarms, and gates. Adults should always be home when children are swimming in the pool. Owners should follow a set of safety rules to in order to swim safely.

  1. Teach your kids how to swim. Immediately. – Start swim lessons as an infant. Mommy and me classes are a great asset that many Red Cross programs include.
  2. Never leave a child unattended in or near water. – Always watch them when they are in the water without distraction. Even if they know how to swim. Kids get tired quickly when swimming.
  3. Watch out for pool drains. – Teach kids to stay away from swimming pool drains. Children’s hair, limbs, clothing, etc. can get stuck in drains. Make sure your drain covers are not broken or damaged.
  4. Have proper barriers. – Install alarms, fences, gates, safety pool covers in and around your pool. Teach children to never climb a gate or a fence.
  5. Have every adult be CPR certified. – Get certified on CPR for all age groups not just infants and children. Bystanders are the first to aid a drowning victim. CPR classes are available through many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting the American Red Cross.

Pool safety facts to swim safely:

  • Drowning is usually silent. – It can be light splashing, waving, or screaming.
  • It’s Your Responsibility. – Watching a child in the pool is your responsibility if you are the homeowner.
  • Drowning is quick. – Once active drowning begins, you have less than 1 minute to react.
  • Swim lessons are essential. – Skill levels do vary. Make sure everyone in your household finishes a Red Cross swim program.

How To Limit Phosphates In Your Pool

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Limit phosphates? What are Phosphates and what do they have to do with pools? Phosphates are types of Phosphorous commonly found in water. Your pool can have many different types of phosphates in it. Most test kits only check for one type. Phosphates are generally misunderstood when it comes to pools. They are difficult to test for and cannot be killed by chlorine alone. In order to control a phosphate attack and remove them you will have to treat your pool with a phosphate remover. So why should you care about phosphates?

Phosphates are essentially food for algae. The more phosphates you introduce into your pool water the more algae will grow. The key is to limit phosphates in your pool water. First, we need to take a look at where phosphates come from. Second, we need to see how we can minimize them (since eliminating phosphates is impossible & they aren’t going anywhere). They are found in many different types of things.

  • Leaves, Grass Clippings, & Other Natural Debris – Leaves & Grass clippings from foot traffic make their way into pools continuously. Place a shallow bucket on the pool deck and have friends & family members rinse their feet before entering your pool.
  • Pool Chemicals – Scale inhibitors tend to be Phosphate-based. Make sure you know what type of chemicals you are using in your pool.
  • Soaps & Shampoos – Yes, that is correct. Body soaps and hair shampoos contribute greatly to Phosphate problems in pools. Have swimmers rinse off before entering your pool. Leave-in dry shampoos are especially bad for pool water.
  • Lawn Fertilizers & Insecticides – Wind and rain runoff introduces these into your pool water. Use hardscape around your pool deck whenever possible. Try to create natural landscape barriers, such as wall pavers & boulders, around your pool deck.
  • Synthetic Laundry Detergents – Laundry detergents contain builders, and other ingredients like brighteners & perfumes. Wash your swimsuits in a gentle detergent (i.e. unscented baby detergents).
  • Animals – Use a pool cover to deter ducks and other wild animals from entering your swimming pool. Give Fido a quick rinse before letting him take a plunge.
  • Acid Rain – Pool covers are great for protecting your pool from acid rainwater.

Emergency phosphate control can become a costly hassle. If you are continuously fighting algae in your swimming pool try minimizing phosphates from entering your pool. Minimizing phosphates will help prevent an algae takeover.

Hurricane Ready Your Pool

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Hurricane season has started. Hurricane season in Florida lasts from June 1st through November 30th. Let’s talk about hurricane pool safety. Have you checked your swimming pool and its surroundings? Pool owners need to take steps to ensure that their pool is hurricane prepared. This means pools as well as pool decks. Below are some helpful tips you can do to protect you and your pool before, during, and after a hurricane strikes:

Before A Hurricane:

  • Do not drain your pool. – Make sure the water levels are good
  • Do shock your pool. – Power may be lost and this would help super chlorinate it
  • Remove loose objects from the pool deck. – These can get picked up from the wind. You can store them inside your pool if you do not have any other place. Put them gently inside of your pool
  • Trim tree branches.
  • Turn off all circuit breakers before the storm hits.
  • Don’t put glass items inside of your pool.

During A Hurricane:

  • Don’t swim in your pool before a storm hits. – High chances of lighting strikes
  • Don’t go outside and check on anything during a storm.

After A Hurricane:

  • When the storm has passed wait before you turn on your pool pump system. -Make sure all electrical equipment is dry before you power up.
  • Clean your pool. – Use a skimmer to clear debris. Don’t use your pool vacuum until all debris has been taken out of your pool.
  • Shock your pool. – This will help balance your pool chemicals
  • Schedule a service with Cannonball Pool Service to check out all of your pool equipment.

Follow these steps to practice hurricane pool safety. Remember that you and your family’s safety is the most important during the threat of a hurricane or tropical storm.

The Salt Pool Advantage. Or Disadvantage?

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Contemplating salt water (saline) pool ownership? There are a few things that you need to know before diving right in. Salt pools aren’t anywhere close to being as salty as seawater. In fact, they have only about one-tenth the salinity. They aren’t completely chlorine-free either. With a saltwater system, pool maintenance is much simpler. The chlorine required is minimal. Which eliminates the need to store and handle hazardous chemicals.

Balancing salt pool chemicals can be a little bit more complex. In a chlorinated pool, when sanitation issues arise, the usual response is add more chlorine. In a salt water pool it takes a bit more than that. Any problems that occur are likely to require the assistance of a swimming pool technician. With that said, there are some great advantages with a saline pool.

Advantages

  • More gentle on the skin – lower chlorine levels means less skin irritation
  • No more itchy or stinging eyes
  • Softer water – smooth and silky water
  • More cost effective – in the long run
  • Simpler maintenance – salt cells will produce any chlorine as needed

Disadvantages

  • Salt pools require a large initial investment – $1,000 – $5,000
  • Complex sanitation – when issues arise a technician is more than likely needed
  • Damaging to metals – avoid using specific types of heaters, fixtures, underwater lighting, liners
  • The cell needs to be cleaned periodically which is a bit of a messy job
  • High phosphate levels can cause the generator to malfunction

When considering upgrading your current pool or building a new swimming pool it is important to keep both advantages and disadvantages in mind.

 

Should Your Dog Swim In Your Pool?

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Dogs swimming in pools are fun. They are fun to watch. They are great to play with in the pool. It makes us (and them) happy. But, is it OK for your dog to swim in your pool? There is not a direct yes or no answer to this question. There are both pros and cons to letting your dog swim in your pool (as well as some safety concerns). Many people will ask if chlorine is bad for dogs? What we are asking is, are dogs bad for your swimming pool? Dogs ALWAYS have small particles of fecal matter stuck in their fur. They can also bring along insects, body oils, & dirt.

Things that need to be known about dogs in pools:

  • Increased transmission of Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI)
  • 1 Dog in a pool is equal to 3-30 people in a pool (depending on size/breed)
  • A dog in a pool will deplete your chlorine & raise pH
  • Be prepared for scratches or tears in your vinyl pool liner
  • Added stress on pool equipment – Dog hair
  • Extra pool cleaning – Filters need to be cleaned more
  • Can add Phosphates and Nitrates to the pool

Swimming with your companion is entertaining, fun, & great bonding time, as long as you follow the precautions! Dogs add an extra layer of care to your pool. Pool owners need to monitor chemicals more frequent, maintain equipment more often, & inspect their pool structure regularly. Cannonball Pool Service offers complete pool care. Call 239.440.9888 for more information on our custom service plans.

 

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