Is Your Swimming Pool Plant Designed Correctly?

Is Your Swimming Pool Plant Designed Correctly?

I have been asked recently by some resort managers will a variable speed pool pump save me money and what effect, if any, will the pump have on the pool heater.
Firstly most resort pools in accordance with Queensland Health Swimming Pool and Operational Guidelines fall into a Category Two Type Pool. This means that a swimming pool filter plant should be designed to have a volume turnover period (exclusive of ballast tanks) of five to six hours during operating times.

The turnover period is the time taken for the total pool water volume to pass through the filters and treatment plant and return to the pool. Spa pools have a turnover rate of 20 minutes.

If your pool filtration system is not designed correctly and if the pump is oversized for the job then this will be costing you money in wasted energy and equipment maintenance.
It is the opinion of most people that the bigger the pump the better. The reason for the vast range of pump sizes on the market is flow rates suited to a specific requirement, which in most cases is not considered when buying a pool pump.

In most resorts the standard type of pool pumps are oversized for the job that is required and of course the running costs are higher. Also equipment removal or replacement is usually substituted with more PVC elbows creating excess friction loss which affects flow rates.

When sizing a pool pump some of the following criteria must be considered:
• Volume turnover period
• Litre capacity of the pool
• Friction loss & head
• Filter flow rate requirement
• Chlorinator flow rate requirement
• Pool heater flow rate
• Water feature flow rate.

All associated equipment for pools have minimum and maximum flow rates to operate efficiently.
In the case of pool heaters the correct flow rates are most important to operate efficiently at their maximum performance rate. Gas operated pool heaters especially.
Examples for Gas Pool Heaters as Follows:

• If the water flows through a heat exchanger too quickly then the heat rise between the inlet and outlet is minimal or nil. The heater is not performing efficiently and costing you valuable dollars in wasted energy. This situation is also damaging to your heat exchanger. Condensate forms on the heat exchanger fins and collects the fumes of the burnt gas which calcifies; this eventually blocks the flu ways and corrodes the heat exchanger.

• If the water flows through the heat exchanger too slowly then there may not be enough water flow to actuate the water flow switch in the heater or the water will consistently

• boil thus actuating the over temperature safety switch. As this switch self resets you get a cycling affect with the heater, again costing valuable dollars in inefficiency. The heat exchanger also warps due to consistent overheat.

In my opinion if your pool pump and system is designed correctly and you operate the system in a required time frame per day then you are on the money as far as operating costs are concerned.
You can inquire about a more energy efficient pump that will give you the required flow rates but be careful with multistage pumps that will decrease or increase flow rates.

If you install a pump that you can select (adjust) flow rates be careful that nobody adjusts this pump that has no knowledge of what is required in respect to flow rates for the rest of the equipment.
Also consider the cost of the pump and the warranty terms of the pump. Pool pumps are a high usage plant and replacement or repairs are more prominent.

If you choose to buy an energy efficient pump then compare the cost savings against a correctly designed standard pump. Also compare the life expectancy of both pumps and the replacement or repair costs of both pumps. It is useless paying a lot more for a pump that will save slight energy costs but will cost a lot more to replace or repair.

To have energy efficient filtration system also depends on a correct maintenance schedule, too many resort managers do not keep the pump strainer baskets clean or backwash filters at required intervals, not to mention chlorinator cells. This also has an effect on flow rates and equipment efficiency.
I would consider that you firstly have your whole system checked out for correct design and secondly put a proper maintenance schedule in place and make sure it is carried out by either yourself or your pool operator This will definitely save you money immediately.

I have touched on this subject briefly to minimise the article content and your pool maintenance company should be able to answer any in depth questions that you need to know.
If you are having your equipment assessed please ask for a written report and the mathematics to support the recommendations, not all contractors may have the knowledge to carry out a detailed assessment.

I would also suggest that you go to the Queensland Health website and study your obligations in respect to your pool & spa. To find website type in QLD Health Swimming and Spa Pool Water Quality and Operational Guidelines and select the PDF version.

Regards
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Swimming Pool | Healthy Water Balance

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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.

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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.

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This web site will give you all the information you require to:

• Choose a quality brand of pool heating system that suits your budget
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• How to save money the vast knowledge base at Preferred Pool Heating Supplies you can be assured that you will have a reliable source of information, guaranteed quality of product supply and ongoing support allowing you to deliver customers effective, efficient and economical solutions when it comes to heating applications.


If you are unsure which type of pool or spa heating best suits you, contact us and we will be happy to advise you on which pool heater best suits your requirments & sizing guides. We have access the largest range of gas heaters, heat pumps and electric heaters in Australia.

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