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Posts Tagged ‘swimming pools’

Small Businesses and Contractors Largely Affected by Nation’s Struggling Economy

As this nation remains in one of the largest recessions in the past {60 years, there are many industries that are adversely affected, but go unnoticed~Many industries and U.S. businesses are struggling indirectly because of the national recession~The biggest recession that U.S. residents and businesses have seen in the past 6 decades continues to indirectly affect many industries}.  The main discussion has been on the housing market, financial loans, stock market, and the banking business.  Many of these markets are inter-related in some way, but many major industries that affect millions of Americans are not far off.

Experts will concur that the housing market has taken a huge blow, and the property values in Phoenix, Arizona sits at the center of this issue.  These buyers all have property that has greatly depreciated in value over the past twenty four months (sometimes being down tens of thousands of dollars).  Loss of equity has caused many residents to just vacate their homes, in fact, bank repossessions are higher than they have ever been. 

For those homeowners who are not affected by unemployment, housing market decline, and stock market woes – they can quickly find out they are incorrect.  By keeping their money out of the stock market, many investors are keeping their money in their property and homes.  Local banks and credit unions can usually provide this type of home improvement loan.  Over the past 24 months, these loans have not been available for prospecting buyers of home improvements such as home remodeling, swimming pools and landscaping.

The swimming pool industry in Phoenix has been one of the largest businesses affected, since financing a swimming pool or landscape project was the best choice for over 65% of swimming pool customers.  If a pool loan is not obtained, swimming pool and construction companies end up losing the sale, or selling a job that is much less than expected.  Phoenix pool builders have taken a huge hit, often closing their doors, down-sizing, or diversifying into other markets.  Some swimming pool companies have diversified into other venues such as pool remodeling, general construction, and even landscaping.  Some general contracting companies and home remodelers have switched entire industries, trying their hand at completely different fields of work.  By offering other landscape features such as outdoor kitchens, Phoenix BBQ islands, fire pits, and travertine patios, many Arizona Landscaping Contractors are producing extra money.

Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools, a swimming pool and landscape Phoenix company, figured out how to diversify it’s products and services many years ago.  As Phoenix landscape and pool builders, along with a general contractor license, Unique Companies are able to provide its customers with many facets of residential landscaping and swimming pools.  “By diversifying a few years prior into swimming pools, landscapes and general construction, our company has been able to keep working during these challenging times.  However, the inability for our motivated buyers to get construction lending or loans has been crippling.”

“It’s tough to think about all the money that was given to banking industry just a few months ago for these loans, and now it’s near impossible for our buyers, who want to buy our products, to get this money” claims business owner Chris Griffin, of Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools in Mesa, AZ.  Maybe it’s time for the government to look a little further into some of the struggles of the smaller companies that are greatly affected by this struggling economy.  “I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I can tell it’s there….” claims Griffin, “Pool financing in Phoenix is getting a little better”.

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.

Only the energy-wise owners of swimming pools truly understand the high energy usage of their own swimming pool.  In fact, the pool motor is actually one of the largest electricity using appliances they have in their house.  That’s because most pool pumps use very energy friendly single stage motors that run at 1HP and up.  With electricity supply in abundance, and energy conservation a low priority – this has been the industry standard for years.

So how in-efficient is my pool pump? A study recently showed that to operate California’s 1.2 million pools and spas consumes about the same production as one nuclear power or two conventional energy plants (study by Davis Energy Group for Pacific Gas & Electric – 2004).  Imagine the energy usage of ALL the swimming pools across the United States, and how this much impact our electricity conservation efforts.  Arizona also has an incredible quantity of backyard pools per house, which is why AZ pool builders are switching to these incredible new pumps.

The solution? Pumps working smarter, not harder.

In the past few years, swimming pool pumps and motors have been part of a huge power-saving improvement effort.  The newest in electricity savings has come from the introduction of the revolutionary variable drive, variable speed pool and spa pump.  Designed and manufactured to use less power, these new pumps are using permanent magnetic motors.  Permanent magnet motors (like those used in hybrid cars) provide a typical 30% base savings compared to induction motors. By simply programming the pump to work at the least required speed for each pool task (heating, cleaning, filtration, water features, etc.) power reduction can be as much as 90%!

By operating a pool and spa pump at its minimum speed necessary to fulfill a job, it will dramatically slash the energy usage (merely because it takes less electricity to move water slowly than rapidly).  Did you know?  By reducing pump speed by half reduces energy needed to an eighth of what was needed previously to get the job done.   These new pool and spa pumps enable the pool owner to set the pump speed and flow to perform pool and spa tasks with the minimal energy required.

Energy Savings of $620 to $1,350

According to Pentair Pool Products, their IntelliFlo® and IntelliPro™ variable drive pumps routinely reduce energy use up to ninety percent, depending on the models and circumstances for average savings of $620 to $1,350 annually.  Because the cost to replace your old pump is about equal to what you will save (based on pool usage over 1 to 2 years), many pool and spa owners are having their old pumps replaced. 

Power delivery charges are even higher in Arizona, and with Phoenix’s huge swimming pool count, this new swimming pool pump has become an absolute necessity for pool builders in Phoenix when constructing new swimming pools.  California’s revolution to eco-friendly products makes owning an electricity efficient pool pump even more necessary.

Specific Examples of how IntelliFlo pumps by Pentair can be factored in your swimming pool:

This pump can be used for an in-floor cleaner system booster pump, and it’s set at 3000 RPM, which is about the same as a two HP pool pump.  The same pool pump can be dialed down to a half HP pool pump to circulate & filter the water of the swimming pool.  With a simple push of a remote (and some pool automation systems), this same pump can be used for hot tub jets in both a slow AND high speed mode!)  Another common use is the setting to control the speed of a fountain or pool water feature (it is also known to be used by high end residential Phoenix landscape companies to control the sound & flow of custom landscape water features and fountains).  The IntelliFlo Pentair pump can be programmed for 2 speeds (actually more!) -  giving the pool owner a low speed waterfall for a quiet evening outside, or you can ramp it faster for MAX PRESSURE for a family gathering!

Salt Water Chlorinators

Swimming pools are a good way to stay cool in the summer, and are easier to care for with new salt water systems. Reduced handling of chemicals and cost effieciency are boosting salt water systems reputation. 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. However, while the cost is higher in the beginning, during a period of time, pool caretakers will see a decrease in the price of tri-chlor tabs or hypochlorite tabs, and also transportation prices and storage.

Salt chlorine generators, or Salt water chlorinators, transform salt water into chlorine. You only need to add one teaspoon of salt per gallon of pool water. Salt Chlorine Generators mean that all the trivial and time consuming tasks involved in keeping a swimming pool clean are reduced and you can enjoy your clean and clear swimming pool. Salt Chlorine Generators keep your swimming pool free of algae and sanitized by converting even small amounts of common non-iodized table salt or salts used as water softeners. 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. The process involves change a little bit of salt into pure chlorine that cleans and disinfects the water, then turns back to salt, ready for the next part of the sensitization process. Keep your pool sanitized, and have your water crystal clear, the easiest way with Salt Chlorine Generators!

Swimming pools in the future are likely to be santized through the use of saltwater chlorinators. The benefits of saltwater chlorine generation are numerous. In the last decade Saltwater Chlorination made its mark in the United States. It’s more popular as it is easier to maintain with less alage and better water quality.

Above Ground Swimming Pool Build

The winter is traditionally the time of year when people begin to think about their summer holidays with thoughts of lounging on beaches, getting a tan and swimming. 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 planned 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 and improve the quality of your life. Another is to install a swimming pool in your garden.

Lots of people think that swimming pool building is something that is best carried out in warmer weather. 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 be installed and ready to use as soon as the weather turns that little bit warmer in the spring. As soon as that warm weather appears you can be sure that your swimming pool supplier and installer will be immensely 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. You should be able to negotiate a substantial discount and get yourself a bargain swimming pool installed and ready for some summer fun.

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 accidents. Some of the most common accidents and injuries include:

1. People slipping and falling around the pool perimeter can result in various injuries, sometimes very serious
2. Children and pets falling into an unattended swimming pool
3. Children snagged by the swimming pool drain and held underwater
4. Falls from the rim of above ground pools
5. 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. Children should never use the swimming pool unsupervised. 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
Pool water treatment chemicals should be stowed away safely out of reach of children. Appropriate protection should be used when handling harmful pool water treatment chemicals. 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 routinely inspected 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.

My family and I love 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 months we need to travel into the city to take a dip in the busy 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 have to say I’m mightily impressed by their swimming pools. 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, made from steel and resin, are one of the most popular swimming pools in the UK today. They are very tough, durable and cheap. 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.

The Doughboy pools have a number of really neat feature like the facility to expand the depth so that, as the children grow, you can increase the depth of the water up to a maximum of 7 feet. They come with a top quality pool liner, a sand filter, power pump and even a 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.

If you have been lucky enough to own a swimming poool. You will know the important of having a working filtration system in your swimming pool.

Because it's very important to have a filtration system in your pool. You should always make sure that it is working, if your filter breaks down without you knowing, your pool could soon become dangerous to use and maybe even 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 problem, because the amount of chlorine has risen, it becomes very dangerous and potentially deadly.

Chlorine is designed to kill bacteria, in high concentration, it can become poisonous and 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, ensure that you have a cover on the filter. If you don't then this too can prove to be a death trap. If you a child or even an adult gets sucked into the filter, it can seriously injure or even tear someone apart due to the force of the filter.

Those were just a couple of tips that you should follow to ensure that your swimming pool is clean and safe to use.

With the weather starting to get us all 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 today and there is a lot to learn about the various types there are to buy.

Some fairly popular pools are the above ground variety. They come in lots of colours and designs starting at really 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 depth with these which surely must be 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 pure water saying “come on in” on a hot summers day! It is not always taken into account however 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 chemicals that are on offer today there is really no excuse for not keeping your pool in pristine condition.

There is nothing worse than the look of a pool which has not been looked after. It can 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.