Swimming Pool | Healthy Water Balance

Info @ pool heating

CHLORINE, ITS PURPOSE AND APPLICATION:

Disinfection is the most important single factor in maintaining a pool which is safe and healthful. Chlorine is the most widely applied disinfecting agent for swimming pool water.

The most common form of chlorine for home swimming pool consumption is calcium hypochlorite containing 70% available chlorine. This solid, white material is available as either a free flowing powder, or tablets.

Both types have excellent stability under all normal storage conditions. In use, this material dissolves quickly, releasing free available chlorine which is needed to kill bacteria.
Pool water should always contain 0.3 to 0.6 parts per million(ppm) chlorine.

This chlorine residual may be achieved by adding one ounce of granular calcium hypochlorite for each 5,000 gallons of pool water. In order to be sure that the pool water contains the proper amount of chlorine it is necessary to test periodically using an ortho tolidine test set which is available at your dealer.

There are a number of factors which affect the rate at which chlorine is consumed in the pool heating. Chlorine dissipates more rapidly in warm water than in cold water. Ultra violet light (sunlight) causes an increase in the rate of consumption as does the presence of organic matter such as perspiration and bacteria that are carried in on bather’s skin also increase the amount of chlorine needed to maintain an adequate chlorine residual. For these reasons, it will be necessary to add more chlorine on sunny hot days and when there are more people in the pool than when the opposite is true.

Calcium hypochlorite should be added to the water by means of a chemical feeder or a dispensing basket. If tablets are used, it is important to remember that they may bleach a spot on the floor of the pool if they are permitted to rest there and caution should be taken to make sure that they are beyond the reach of children who may place them in their mouths.

NEVER MIX CHLORINE WITH ANY OTHER CHEMICALS and be careful to use a clean dry measuring device when handling this material since any contamination may result in a chemical reaction which may cause fire.

Chlorine should be added to the pool approximately 15 minutes prior to swimming. Tests for the presence of a chlorine residual should be made frequently and additions of chlorine made as needed so long as there are swimmers in the pool.

If you are unsure which type of pool heating options best suits your needs simply complete the pool heatingand we will be happy to advise on your requirments & sizing, we carry a the largest range in Australia.

pool heating

Swimming Pool Heating

Swimming Pool Heating

Swimming pool heating systems are a popular addition to the basic swimming pool installation. They allow you to keep your pool at a comfortable temperature into the evenings and also in the colder months of the year. In this article I'm going to be talking about reasons why you might want to use swimming pool heating systems, the different types of systems you can get, and where to buy them.

For lots of dual income households, the only time the pool is used is on the weekend. By the evening time, most pools will have lost their heat and be uncomfortably cool, even in hot areas like Florida. This means that the people that are paying for the pool don't get to use it as much as they would like. Pool heater allows you to use the pool at times when it would otherwise be cold, such as in the evenings or during winter. For most people this is a matter of convenience, allowing them to use the pool when they want to.

For some people it's a matter of necessity though, when they need to use the pool to health reasons. In these cases of illness or health related conditions, it may be possible to deduct the cost of heating system from your taxes, or even to get a grant to cover the costs of the heater. There are several different options that you have when you choose a swimming pool heating system, and your choice will be based on your location and requirements. I'm going to tell you about a few of the different options that you have, and then I'm going to direct you to a website where you can get them.

The first option that you have is a traditional propane based heater. These systems are very fast to heat water, and are cheap to install, but they can be the most expensive way to heat your pool. Propane is a relatively expensive fuel for heating water when it is compared to the other systems are available, so this is usually used as a booster to supplement the other systems when they do not generate enough heat.

The next option is a heat pump. Heat pumps sucked the heat out of the air around the unit, and transfer this heat into the water of the pool, which circulates through the unit. This raises the temperature of the pool by reducing the temperature of the air. As the air gets cold, warm air flows in and displaces it, so this process continues continuously. Obviously during colder times of the year the amount of heat that you gain from the air is going to be lower, which is why you should supplement a heat pump with a propane heater which will only kick in when it's needed.

The other option that people face is a solar powered swimming pool heating system. This uses sunlight to generate heat, and is therefore the cheapest system operate. Installing a solar power system is a lot more expensive than a propane system, but because it costs nothing to run it can pay for itself in as little as two years, and is built to last for a great many years.

As you can see, when you choose a swimming pool heating system, you have to think about your requirements and the amounts of sunlight and average air temperature in your own area. If you live in Arctic conditions, for instance, a heat pump is not going to do you much good.

Whichever system or combination of systems you choose to install, the Internet gives you unrivalled opportunities to make savings. Internet stores do not have the same overheads that brick and mortar stores have, so they can pass the savings on to you as a customer. There is one website which guarantees the lowest possible prices. If you find any lower price they will undercut it by 10%.

If you are unsure which type of pool heating option best suits your needs simply complete the Pool Heatingand we will be happy to advise on your requirments & sizing, we carry a the largest range in Australia.

Pool Heating Systems

Basic Pool Maintenance & Operation

Pool Heating Systems

BASIC WATER CHEMISTRY TERMS………

- CHLORINE - Is acting as the main sanitizer to kill algae and bacteria in the pool water. The level should be between 2.0 and 3.0 on your test kit. During hot weather, high readings are better.
- pH - Is the level of how acidic the pool water is. You must maintain a good pH level or your chlorine will not work effectively. The level should be between 7.2 and 7.6.

- ALKALINITY - Is a pH stabilizer. It helps to keep the pH within the proper levels so that the chlorine can work effectively. It reduces pH “bounce”. The level should be between 100 - 150.

- STABILIZER - Also known as Cyanuric Acid, this chemical forms a protective bond around the chlorine, making it more resistant to being burned off by the sun. Makes chlorine tablets last longer. Stabilizer levels should be checked and adjusted each season. Also, pools should be stabilized whenever a large amount of fresh water has been added. The level should be 35 ppm and is adjusted by adding Stabilizer / Conditioner (Cyanuric Acid).

- REMEMBER - Good water chemistry can only be achieved when all four of these chemical levels are kept constant. Good Alkalinity helps keep the pH in the right range so that the chlorine can do its job properly. Stabilizer keeps more of the chlorine in the water instead of being wasted !

2) DAILY POOL OPERATION……….
1. Pool Filter should run at least 8 to 10 hours per day (24 hours per day is best). Set your pool timer or remember to run the pool manually if you don’t have a timer. If you are not running your pool 24 hours per day, it is best to have it running during the daylight hours (instead of night). 
2. Make sure your skimmer baskets are empty and clear of leaves or other debris. 
3. Chlorine must be added to the pool daily in one of the following ways: 
- Best method is to use a Chlorine Floater with Slow Dissolving Chlorine Tabs inside it. Keep Floater in pool at all times and refill it weekly or as needed.
- Next best method is to use an Automatic Chlorinator. Make sure the unit is full and that the dial is set to a level that gives you a good daily chlorine reading depending on how long you run your system.
- Next best method is to place 3 Inch Slow Dissolving Stabilized Chlorine Tablets in the skimmers once per week (4-6 tablets are normal for 16x32 pool). 
- Next best method is to manually add either Granular Chlorine or Quick Chlorine Tabs to pool skimmer every day. Don’t forget !!!
o All methods of adding chlorine to the pool have their positive and negative aspects.  All in all, the simply floating chlorine floater is a time tested method and ensures that you ALWAYS have a good chlorine level.  Sometimes simplest is the best.

3) WEEKLY POOL MAINTENANCE………
1. Completely backwash filter (see How to Backwash a DE Filter or How to Backwash a Sand Filter).
2. Test water for Chlorine, pH and Alkalinity.
3. Adjust pH and Alkalinity as needed.
4. Add Chlorine to pool (see Daily Pool Operation).
5. Vacuum pool floor and walls if needed.
6. Shock pool and add Algaecide.
7. Check and adjust water level as needed. Water should be half way up the skimmers.

4) POOL CLEANING, CARE AND MAINTENANCE………
FILTRATION
There are several types of filters available for swimming pool water. Sand and gravel, diatomaceous earth, anthracite, and cartridge types are the filter mediums most commonly employed. Regardless of the medium used, the basic principles are the same. This consists of passing water through tiny passageways. Particles larger than these passages are trapped and thereby separated from the main body of the water. This process continues until all of these passageways are blocked. The filter must then be cleaned and the cycle repeated.

VACUUMING
A filter is designed to remove sediment and suspended matter from the main body of water, however, some dirt will inevitably settle to the bottom of the pool during periods when the filter is not in operation. The only way for this sediment to be removed is through vacuuming.
The swimming pool vacuum operates in a similar manner to the common household unit except it draws water through the vacuum head instead of air. There are two ways in which this may be accomplished. One method employs a jet of water supplied by a garden hose to power the suction which draws the dirt into the head to be trapped in a cloth bag. The other method uses the suction power supplied by the filter which draws the sediment and dirt from the pool floor for removal through the filter. When there is a considerable amount of sediment to be removed the filter valves should be adjusted so that the vacuumed water will bypass the filter and run to waste.
It is recommended that the pool be vacuumed about once weekly, the exact schedule to be determined from the pool owners experience.

SURFACE SKIMMING
Hair, lint, leaves and insects which enter the pool and remain floating on the surface can be easily removed with surface skimmers. There are two types of surface skimmers-hand and automatic. The hand skimmer is simply a plastic screen or net attached to a long pole and should be used to remove the larger floating objects such as leaves and grass.
The automatic surface skimmer is a device which is attached to the filtering system. During the filtering process, part of the surface water is drawn through the skimmer and into the filter, carrying with it dust, small insects, and other fine debris before these can settle to the pool floor.
The pool should be skimmed frequently since most dirt enters the water through the surface.

TEST KITS AND THEIR USE
The test kit is perhaps the most valuable aid to the pool owner and enables him to keep his pool in proper swimming condition. An adequate test kit is one which includes both a chlorine and pH test.
Most test kits use the ortho tolidine test for total available chlorine. This test produces a yellow color varying in strength with the amount of chlorine present in the water. When the color produced corresponds to a chlorine reading between 0.3 and 0.6 ppm, the bather is assured that the pool is safe for swimming. Since chlorine dissipates rapidly in hot weather and under heavy bathing loads it is wise to test frequently to assure a sufficient chlorine residual. Just how frequently is best left to the individual pool owners experience. A colorless reading means that all of the chlorine has dissipated and it will be necessary to add more. A reading greater than 0.6 ppm indicates the presence of an excessive amount of chlorine and bathers should not be permitted to enter the water until the chlorine had dissipated to a safe level.
Tests for chlorine should be made about thirty minutes after it has been added to allow the material to dissolve and mix throughout the water.

The phenol red method is the most common way of testing for pH. In this test, the color changes from amber at low pH to purple at high pH, each color between corresponds to a different pH number. When the color produced corresponds to pH readings between 7.2 and 7.8 the water will be in proper chemical balance. PH tests should be made at least once daily and more frequently during periods of adjustment. When adjusting the pH be sure to allow enough time for the chemicals to dissolve and to mix thoroughly throughout the water before testing.

If you are unsure which type of pool heating options best suits your needs simply complete the “Pool Heating Systems"and we will be happy to advise on your requirments & sizing, we carry a the largest range in Australia.

Pool Heating Systems

Pool Heating - Heat Pumps

Info @ Pool Heating Systems


Most of us aren’t interested in the technical details of the equipment we use in daily life. As long as the basics are covered, we feel pretty confident in our continual use of these life-enhancing products. Learning all about electromagnetic waves will not make heating up my Chinese leftovers from last night any more beneficial or enjoyable!

First thing you should know are your options: there are electric pool heat pumps, solar powered heat systems, and then there are gas powered pool heaters. Heat pumps are powered by electricity and convert energy, as opposed to creating it, whereas heaters use either natural gas or propane. Solar powered heat systems, as the name suggests, harness the sun’s energy to power the unit and heat your pool. While these may not be the absolute only choices one has, it’s hardly advisable to go with alternative methods – while entertaining and creative,.

Heat pumps transport heat from the air to your pool (or spa) by the means of external energy. That being said, it may take quite a bit more of an effort from your heat pump to heat a pool when it’s 2 degrees outside – in fact, 45 degrees is about the cut off for premium heat efficiency, but if the temperature outside is below that benchmark, your pool will still be heated, just not with optimum efficacy. Still, for the majority of the time, your heat pump will be one of the best means of heating your pool since it never has to create energy, which can be costly.

Heaters are fueled by natural gas, and many of us are well aware of the unfortunate high fuel prices. Therefore, using this means of heat for your pool tends to be a bit outdated and more expensive. One major benefit is the low heat-up time – gas heaters are excellent for bringing your pool up to temp quickly.
A newer and often overlooked contender in the pool heating market is solar heat systems.

Most units include a solar collector, a filter, a pump and a flow control valve. The solar collector actually has pool water circulating through it as sunrays are “collected” to heat the water. The filter, much like the one already used in your pool, removes contaminates from the water before it ever enters the collector.

The pump does all the heavy lifting, circulating the water through the system, and the control valve acts as the traffic director, diverting water through the collector. Depending on your climate, you can opt for a glazed or unglazed solar collector. If you only want to use your pool in above freezing temperatures, unglazed is the way to go.

It may go without saying that the solar heater will be out of commission on a day with less than ideal weather…Not that many people want to swim on a bad weather day, anyhow.
Heater Efficiency Comparison At this point, you may have drawn your own conclusions for this section. Energy efficiency is higher on some people’s lists than others, but it seems that this is a steadily rising concern for everyone – and rightfully so.

Hands down solar energy is the most cost efficient, environmentally friendly, recommended means of heating your swimming pool. With virtually no additional cost to run the unit and its use of an already available heat source (the sun), a solar heat system is well worth the initial investment. They also tend to outlast the competition.

Next on this list would be an electric heat pump. The potential scare of an outrageous electric bill may scare some homeowners, but there’s really no need to fear. Technological advances ensure a low cost of operation, since heat pumps also utilize external heat sources and never have to generate their own heat.
It’s true, gas heaters are becoming a thing of the past. While there is still a demand for them, as consumers are made more aware of the importance placed on efficiency, it’s hard to truly justify a gas heater purchase – unless, of course, fuel costs in your area are significantly low. Still, gas heaters tend to die before any other

Type of pool heating system.
The Real Deciding Factor: What Will it Cost Me?
Ah yes, the most important part, especially in an uncertain economy. Basically, gas heaters will be your lowest cost initially, but may not be worth it in the long run. Solar heat systems cost a pretty penny to buy, but their low to non-existent operating costs will yield a payback of 1.5 – 7 years! Heat pumps are typically in the same price range as a solar heat system, but some units are a bit more capable in that they can cool in the summer and heat in the winter.

For a closer cost analysis, visit any of the following resources:
SOLAR
GAS
ELECTRIC

Contact Swift Pool Supplies if you’d like a custom detailed cost comparison of running a heat pump versus other heating methods.
Before Your Purchase, Some Final Considerations
There’s a lot of emphasis on a heater’s BTUs, which is what most pool heaters capacity is rated by. One BTU = 1 degree Fahrenheit per pound of water. That may sound a bit confusing, but with a little math, calculating your exact needs isn’t a huge stretch. It’s helpful to know that there are about 8.33 pounds in a gallon of water, meaning 8.33 BTUs will heat one gallon. If you feel up to it, there’s a detailed formula for more in depth calculations.

In most cases, higher BTUs will draw more energy and result in slightly higher costs. But if you want to heat your pool quickly and more efficiently, choose a heat pump with BTU output on the higher end of what you need. Bigger tends to be better, but don’t go overboard!
There are industry leaders for a reason. Not all brands are created equally and you, as the consumer, should be able to place all your trust in the brand you are purchasing. Reading other customer reviews or having a small discussion with a pool professional can help you decide which company consistently exceeds customer expectations.

My last bit of advice is very important: spend a little bit more and buy a solar pool cover! You may have heard it growing up (and perhaps say it to your own children now): “close that door, I’m not paying to heat/cool the entire neighborhood!” While amusing, it’s a good bit of advice. All the energy you use to heat your pool will escape unless you keep the heat trapped where it belongs.

If you are unsure which type of pool heating options best suits your needs simply complete the “Pool Heating” and we will be happy to advise on your requirments & sizing, we carry a the largest range in Australia.

Pool Heating Systems