Palm trees lit up by low voltage landscape lighting

Low-Voltage Deck Lighting

We can design a system for your outdoor living environment that will provide you with an extension of usability, enhancements to the architectural design forms and an expansion of your functional usage of space. Low voltage deck lighting can involve several styles and types of lighting fixture considerations.

Path Lighting

Here's a hardscape illuminated through path lighting. Never get lost in the dark backyard again!

In selecting low voltage lighting fixtures it is important to keep in mind that the main objective is to provide illuminating contributions to the landscape’s function zones and architecturally relevant features. See some of our swimming pool construction for examples of low-voltage landscape lighting. Here is a classical home, improved by night with low-voltage landscape lighting:

Low voltage lighting is a very effective form of illumination.

In selecting landscape lighting fixtures, consider the light’s illuminating pattern and bulb strength intensity before deciding on the aesthetic appeal of the physical characteristics of any single fixture. Although the style of a fixture’s appearance can become an attribute to the appeal of the hardscape characteristics, keep in mind that the objective is to compliment the subtle illusions that proper low-voltage lighting can provide.

Foliage Lighting

An example front yard and trees with low voltage home lighting. Bring your house to life at night!

Direct Illumination

To exaggerate the focus of a yard, low-voltage lighting can be used to bring out and focus on one part of the garden. When this is done, your centerpiece can become a fountain, structure, pool, flora or other hardscape features.

Example of plant illuminated with down lighting.

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After installation, we do a sample saturation test to see how successful the installation is.

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Finally, a water conscious backyard that saves money, water and your time for maintenance.

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Passion for one’s profession…

We believe that passion for one’s profession goes hand and hand with promoting the recognition for a higher competence in a given craft.
In observing those you choose to solicit and ultimately perform the work, it is wise to measure a perspective performer’s motivations and reasoning for such a pursuit. If it is purely a profit driven endeavor, the passion would be purely the revenue stream that your project represents. If you gravitate towards a true craftsman, the motivations become a internal fire that burns within that type of individual performer and the money, although important plays a secondary role.

Historically many of our clients through the exhibits of our expressed passion have gain insight for our competence in performing each element of the work scope.

Additionally only a few in-ground pool builders offer after care for what they create. Our willingness and desire to continue the relationship over the life of a well built swimming pool or masterpiece Outdoor Living Environment should exemplify a stronger commitment for what we build. In choosing to extend our services to include swimming pool service and or pool maintenance, we believe a connection with our clients is established to our Sacramento “style” construction.

We have designed and built many swimming pools in Roseville, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Newcastle, Penryn, Auburn, Cool, and in Sacramento County, Folsom, Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, the city of Sacramento and in El Dorado Hills, Latrobe, Shingle Springs, Cameron Park, and many others areas and we have aided many people’s enjoyment while living outdoors “Sacramento Style” almost all year long.

Taking advantage of the wonderful backyard opportunities involving new swimming pool, landscape renovations and other elements including:

• Waterfalls

• Water Features

• Koi Ponds

• Vanishing Edge Swimming Pools

• Infinity Edge Swimming Pools

• Caribbean Shelf Swimming Pools

• Beach Entry Swimming Pools

• Cabo Shelf Swimming Pools

• Built-in Spas

• Portable Spas

These are all part of the many, many possibilities in Designing and Building Swimming Pools that can aid your enjoyment and extend your outdoor family life.

 In order to wed a pool’s piping system to an equipment package, calculations should be preformed that allow a true understanding to be gained for the hydraulic conditions that will prevail and that will become the marriage (good or bad) between you and your pool’s thrist for power. A final step to design after commitments to the shapes, elevations and special features have been concluded is to determine how the water will flow. This is the most overlooked detail associated with the greatest long term cost to the Owner than with any other oversight in the pool industry today. Every swimming pool proposal can include a “True Design” performed by Earth Dynamics Poolscapes reflecting the accurate intentions of the infrastructure.

This information is vital today if, your pool is to be build will a clear understanding for the energy efficiency demands of tomorrow!

Swimming Pool Plumbing Schematic

 We can provide a complete plumbing schematic with all operational hydraulic calculations performed for the entire piping network. Our CAD design format will convert piping distances, equipment restriction, fittings, elevation changes and flow rates into piping size requirements. This imagery will correspond to “Best Selection” of your pump and motor. Operational durations will be expressed in hours to complete a filtering cycle using the least electricity on plan and programs can be set with this information with a high degree of energy efficiency confidence.

By specifying the pipe distances, pump sizes and equipment selection directed at electrical efficiency it takes the guesswork out of the cost estimate analyses. The bidding game of smoke and mirrors are eliminated and you have a build-able plan that will provide an easily delegate-able format in which installation crews can perform per the clear and concise graphically expressed instructions.

Swimming Pool Electrical Layout

 After determining the “Best Selection” for the pump, motor and pipe sizing our design will express the most efficient power runs considering both conductors size, conduit network and operational power load demands. Breakers, switching, controls, deck boxes, lights, low voltage, yard power, and all the electrical requirements necessary will be graphically expressed so they can be easily measured, accounted for and clearly presented as a requirement.

Swimming Pool Equipment Pad Layout

 Our CAD design includes a scaled “Top View” expression of a accurately dimensioned equipment pad layout will all of the selected equipment positioned. This allows rough-in plumbing considerations to mirror the exact position of actual equipment in a fashion that reduces double work and reconfigurations at “equipment set”. Details such as Multi-port Valves, Straight Through Valves, Check Valves, Feeders, Solar Systems, Low Voltage, Flex Conduit, etc. will be exhibited on plan easily identifiable and quantifiable. A nuts and bolts quote for the entire equipment pad can additionally be provided at “no charge” upon request!

Swimming Pool Installation Details

 Together with our CAD plumbing, electrical & equipment layouts we combine this information with a complete volume of construction details which highlight accepted industry practices, procedures and manufacturers recommendations. These accumulations of both pictorial reproductions and verbiage step by step directions leave nothing to the imagination, nothing to fall through the cracks.

Swimming Pool Specifcations

 We have combined the ANSI, NSPI, UBC & NEC recommendations and building code requirements to project the most detailed listing of the appropriate manufactured components that meet or exceed the specified requirements. This information is combined with each set of plans allowing a  organized and anticipatable transition to take place through the building permit inspection process.

We have the perfect post for writing your pool specifications.

Swimming Pool Building Permit Assistance

If desired we can provide “permit companionship” issuing ready made plans for permit depicting jurisdictional building set-backs, vicinity maps, utility easements, plot plan-property lines together with all the necessary assisted completion of the procedural documentation necessary for being issued a building permit!

Best Regards,

Michael Chaffee CIM, CPO
Earth Dynamics Poolscapes Inc.

Complete information on how to fully write pool specifications! This is quite a read, so there’s a lot of content to digest! Don’t get overwhelmed, we have broken it up into the sections relevant you may be writing specifications for. We encourage you to use the Find function of your browser to skip to the relevant product you’re writing specifications for.

AUTOMATIC SKIMMER (Pentair / StaRite)

The Skimmer (s) are a device that causes surface water to be drawn into an opening through a molded durable, non-corrosive ABS plastic canister. This device is pre-fabricated by the manufacturer and as such during the installation process it is encapsulated by the swimming pool steel reinforcement skeleton and positioned in a fashion that allows the top of the canister through a throated opening to correspond with the correct level of water line tile and decking elevations. The interior of the Skimmer has a leaf trap basket that is designed to capture and contain floating debris from the pool water surface as water is drawn from the surface and flows through the basket on it’s journey to the pump inlet. Located at the bottom of the Skimmer are two pipe connections, the front connection is plumbed to an equalizer line that returns to the pool and together with an Equalizer Float Assembly and Equalizer Valve positioned at the bottom of the Skimmer device providing low water level protection. This inlet port of the equalizer line is covered with an Anti-Vortex Lid Covers at the finish plaster stage. The rear connection is connected to a dedicated suction line (See Pipe Sizing) which runs to the pump inlet. This connection can facilitate a vacuum hose during manual maintenance procedures by inserting the hose and connecting that to a vacuum head and a telescopic pole (See Isolation Valves). The size of piping to facilitate pumping requirements are calculated on a basis of several factors involving elevations, distances, flow rates together will electrical consumption efficiencies at the designated horsepower pump rating and turnover time-frame to achieve a complete cycling of the entire pool water volume. The Skimmer represents one of two sources of inlet water and should be balanced with the Main Drain in order to facilitate an equalibrium between the top and the bottom of the pools water volume. Due to the chemical additives required in maintaining the water chemistry, balancing  the pH and OPR will involve the pool bottom suction (Main Drain) to proportionately represent an appropriate percentage of the suction inlet source of the pool water. Added chemicals are heavier that water and they will settle on the bottom. The Main Drain suction source will draw the pool’s bottom water and upon being combined with the Skimmer’s surface water a blending during filtration will provide a much  greater uniformity in the even distribution of these water chemistry modifiers.

ANTI VORTEX DELUXE MAIN DRAIN (Pentair)

The Main Drain (s) are a device that causes bottom water to be drawn into an opening through a molded durable, non-corrosive ABS plastic body. This device is installed prior to gunite and accompanied by Anti-Vortex Lids Cover installed at finish plaster stage. This Main Drain devices are pre-fabricated by the manufacturer and as such during the installation process it is weaved between the swimming pool steel reinforcement skeleton and positioned in a fashion that allows the top of the body to correspond with the finish plaster elevations and a minimum of 3” cover of gunite over the steel reinforcement where they are located at the bottom of the pool. These devices are installed in a minimum of (2) two separated in distance ranging from 2’-4’ apart. The interior of the body has a recessed cavity that can receive deposits of debris from the pool bottom surface when being brushed and will assist the capturing of debris as the stirred debris concentrations mix with water flows through the cavity on it’s journey to the pump. Located at the bottom and side of this device are two pipe connections, the bottom connection is plumbed to an Collector Tube that together with a Hydrostatic Relief Valve providing hydrostatic pressure relief (See Hydrostatic Relief and Collector Tube). The side connections of the dual Main Drains are connected together by way of a larger pipe size and then “T” connected to a dedicated suction line (See Pipe Sizing) which runs to the pump. The size of piping to facilitate pumping requirements are calculated on a basis of several factors involving elevations, distances, flow rates together will electrical consumption efficiencies at the designated horsepower pump rating and turnover timeframe to achieve a complete cycling of the entire pool water volume.

MAIN DRAIN COLLECTOR TUBE (Pentair)

The Main Drain Collector Tube (s) are installed in the bottom connection of the Main Drains. These devices are of a cylinder configuration acting as a type of screen or sieve that will retain the (approx. 2 C.F.) ¾” crushed rock material that has been backfilled around it (before gunite) while allowing ground water to pass through the device (See Under Drain). The purpose of this device is to allow accumulated ground water to purge and pass through the screen / sieve when the Hydrostatic Relief Valve is open (See Hydrostatic Valve). This gravel deposits together with the geotextile filter fabric acts as a retainer regulating the flow rate of water migration into the pool. This process minimizes the risk of compaction disintegration through high flow ground water migration of the under-soil constituents below the gunite in cases whereas the pool is drained during unfavorable hydrostatic pressure conditions.

HYDROSTATIC RELIEF VALVES (Pentair)

The Hydrostatic Relief Valve (s) are installed in the bottom of the Main Drain cavity utilizing a male / female threaded connection with the Main Drain. The purpose of this device is to allow ground water trapped under the gunite pool shell to be relieved before causing the pool shell to float and rise or lift out of the ground. The Hydrostatic Relief Valve is designed with an “O” ring seat which retains it’s normally closed position by a spring load retraction mechanism that holds the bonnet firmly seated on the non-corrosive, non-conductive body lug. The spring loaded mechanism together with the load value of water depth keeps the valve closed when the pool is full of water. When the pool is drained and if there is an abundance of ground water present under the pool shell the valve will open allowing the ground water to purge into the pool relieving the hydrostatic pressure.

ISOLATION VALVES (Pentair MULTI-PORT & STRAIGHT THROUGH)

Isolation Valves are installed in an effort to provide concentrated affects on both the suction lines and the return lines (Chemical Balancing). In the process of plumbing the piping network it is important to maintain separation between the Skimmer (s) and the Main Drain (s). Additionally, it is important to provide separation and individual control between the grouping of the return lines, water features and other plumbing functions. After construction and during operational modification to the pool’s function it may involve desired adjustments that cater to seasonal influences of better serviceability and maintenance. In instances whereas manual vacuuming is required the Isolation Valves on the suctions side of the pump can be concentrated on the Skimmer providing maximum suction capability to the vacuum cleaning process. Another situation may involve brushing the pool down whereas concentration on the Main Drains would provide maximum suction capability at the bottom processing the maximum filtration flow rate through the Main Drain (s). Other benefits involve the distribution of chemicals that are heavier that water (Chlorine) and colder water that settles at the lower depths of the pool. This is especially true when involving gas or solar heated water distribution through floor return inlets (See Floor Return Inlets). Individualizing the control over surface movement in specific areas of the pool can also provided better directional functionality of the return line/ surface skimmer relationship assisting the drawing of floating surface debris into the throat of the Skimmer and capturing that material in the leaf basket before it has a chance to settle to the bottom.

CHECK VALVES (Pentair MULTI-PORT & STRAIGHT THROUGH)

Check Valves are installed in situations that involve checking or stopping a reverse flow of water.  This usually is needed when pumping operations have subsided. Examples of this involve an elevated spa that is utilizing a common pump for pool and spa operations. If Check Valves are not utilized on both the return and the suction lines the elevation difference between the spa and the pool will cause the spa to drain back into the pool until reaching an equal surface level when and if a common piping route existed during manual or automatic malfunction. Another example would be a Hartford Loop in combination with a properly installed Swing Check Valve for an Air Blower. There are many different applications and types of Check Valves 90 Degree, Multi-Port, Straight Through, Swing and Spring type with spring weight variables that provide greater flexibility in the efforts of proper planning for the installation of pool equipment.

FLOOR RETURN INLETS (Pentair)

Floor Inlets are a device that are installed at the end of a Floor Return Line and outfitted with a diffuser that provides uniform, efficient, high velocity 360 Degree distribution of water. Floor Return Lines return water to the bottom of the pool rather than to the surface area. By directing returning water during the heating mode it can better mix the cooler bottom water that settles to the bottom of the pool with the returning warmer water. This can more effectively blend the variable temperatures and harmonize overall swimming enjoyment and usability. Additionally, this can provide a better blending of the chemicals necessary to maintain a balanced water chemistry.

UNDER DRAIN SYSTEM

In cases where an under drain is identified as a requirement by the engineer ( pre-inspection before erection of steel reinforcement placement is required if subterranean water is present) the under drain system will be installed by over excavating the bottom of the swimming pool to a depth of 8” greater than that that would facilitate the designed finish gunite depth. At the bottom of this sub-grade elevation a geotextile filter fabric (See Geotextile Specification) will be placed in adequate width to allow it to span the width of the pool’s entire deep end bottom and vertical side walls to a minimum of 18” from the center of the wall radius. The geotextile filter fabric will be folded back over itself in a fashion that will provide an encapsulation of the ¾” crushed gravel material separated from the native soil. The ¾” crushed gravel will be placed on top of the geotextile filter fabric in an approximately 8” depth and the geotextile filter fabric will be folded over the top and all sides of the ¾” crushed gravel. The lowest elevation of the swimming pool excavation will be at the Main Drain where the Dual or Multiple Main Drains will be outfitted with a Collector Tube and a Hydrostatic Relief Valve. If de-watering of the sub-soil strata is required after gunite the threaded Hydrostatic Relief Valve can be removed and a de-watering pump can be connected to the Collector Tube providing a purging mechanism of excessive ground water under the swimming pool.

SAND FILTRATION (Pentair TR-60, TR-100 & TR-140)

Sand filtration is a type of filtration that filters water by using a twenty mesh particle size silica sand as the filtering media. The filter is constructed of Filament Wound double walled tank with an internal hydraulically balanced Lateral Flow System (HBL). These filters offer the best environment for pump motor longevity and electrical efficiency because they don’t over filter at clean stage and have a tolerated restriction value when marginally dirty (See D.E. Filter & Cartridge Filter). These corrosion resistance extremely durable filters are equipment with a top mounted backwash valve that allows the simplest and easies way of cleaning your filter. Depending on size selection (See Filter Sizing) the sand volume will range between 400 Lbs. And 800 Lbs. and does not require disassembly for cleaning. When the filter becomes dirty the operating pressure will increase, indicating a reduction of flow and that it is time to backwash the sand media to rid it of the accumulated dust, dirt and debris that become captured in the sand. To accomplish backwashing you will manually turn-off all pumping then after a moment to allow for depressurization of the system you will re-position the backwash valve indicator from the filtering mode to the backwash mode. After accomplishing this you will manually turn the filtering pump on and watch through the Sight Glass adjacent to the Backwash Valve for one  to three minutes or until the water becomes clear through the sight glass. At this point you will manually turn-off the pump taking a moment again for depressurization and re-position the Backwash Valve in the filtering mode. That will conclude the filter cleaning operations. After backwashing it is important that you check that the Autofill (See Autofil) is maintaining the proper water level. Depending on the pool size backwashing can deplete the pool of water that may effect the functionality of the Skimmer requiring you to add water before the next cycle of operation.

BACKWASH VALVE (Pentair TOP MOUNT)

All Sand Filters are equipped with a Backwash Valve that gets connected to the yard drainage system. This device allows backwashing operations to purge the captured microscopic dirt that has been filtered out of the water. The concentration of dirt would be that equal to storm water so that it will not effect the functionality of the drainage system. Sand filters are the only filter that can legally be flushed into a storm drainage system because the 15-20 micron level of filtration does not pose a health issue. An additional capability may become available next season for installations that incorporate a Pentair Itellitouch Control System and that is an “Auto-Backwash Valve” this device involves a sensor that measures pressure changes  at the pump head as the filter become dirtier. The control system will reference the pre-settings registered in the control panel against the active pressure inside the piping system. When it reaches the pre-setting the pump will shut down and the control panel will display that the filter is dirty and backwashing is needed.

AUTOFILL-OVERFLOW (MP 1953-J)

The Autofill-Overflow device is a molded canister with an adjustable lid designed to be installed in concrete decking or a planter area. This device is connected to the pool via a 1” Schedule 40 PVC pipe providing free flow that runs horizontally from the pool into the canister about 8”-12” below the water line. When the canister is positioned in close proximity to the pool at set at the proper level (See Autofill Technical Information) this pipe allows the water level in the canister to seek the same level as the pool surface. The relationship thus is maintained and when the pool level drops it causes a float activated valve mechanism to open a valve that induces water to flow into the canister. This valve has a variable flow rate and is connected to a backflow protected pressure main water supply outfitted with an isolation valve. The lower the float dips the faster the water will flow and as the water surface approaches the pre-setting on the float mechanism the water flow rate subsides then stops. The range of actual flow rates may range from .0 to 5.0 GPM’s and will self adjust as the water raises to the established setting. A pool’s water level can change daily by as much as .50” of evaporation. Water features, Fountains and other water spraying devices can add to the effects of evaporation. The water loss from a pool @ .50” in depth equates to .31 GAL./SF in volume. An average pool size of 500 SF could related to 155 gallons of loss per day during the heat of a summer day. The Autofill mechanism will compensate for this loss over a period of time at a very slow flow rate. You could expect the Autofill to be operational in this example, .50 GPM’s flow rate divided by 155 gallons would equal to 310 minutes or 5.1 hours. Additionally, the Overflow line compensates for excessive water being introduced by natural precipitation or other influences. When the pool surface level raises above the Overflow’s outflow line leading from the Autofil canister to the yard drainage system excess water is purged. It should be noted that body mass acts as a displacement of water volume and so the more people that enter the pool the greater displacement will be. As a consequence every cubic foot of body mass will displace 7.48 gallons of water. In this example if ten children with a body mass of 1.5 CF entered the pool they would displace 112.2 gallons. This is a good reason to not only install an Autofill on the pool but also a separate one on the spa because the body mass displacement in a spa has a more dramatic affect on surface levels.

POOL CLEANER (Pentair Suction Side Cleaner)

Pool cleaners are a device that attaches to a dedicated return line (Some are suction propelled) and are most often operated by a separate booster pump. When designed correctly, a suction side cleaner can save electrical power by eliminating a Cleaner Booster Pump requirement.

Cleaners are designed to travel along the bottom and sides of the pool collecting dirt, leaves, debris and some have a debris bag or compartment that needs to be maintained combined with trailing line jets and whip hose that power out surface dirt. They typically run within the time window period that has been designated “Filter Mode Operation” so that the disturbed water suspended surface dirt can be filtered out. While running the filter pump and the cleaner pump the voltage loss through the main electrical conductor is increased reflecting not only more power but more power with lost kilowatt usage. This lost power is after the meter so you are being charged for that whether you received any value or not. The Pool Cleaner’s Booster Pump operates together with the filter pump on a dedicated return line after the pool filter via a separate return line. This cleaner swiftly glides across the walls and floor of your pool while silently vacuuming all the debris in its path. It’s venturi-action and simple water powered propulsion vacuums as it travels throughout the pool.

If a Booster pump style cleaner is selected then the electrical calculations need to consider the full intentions of operational functionality for all electrical loads. Wire sizing from the main electrical service to the swimming pool equipment pad should take into account achieving a not to exceed 3% one way voltage loss under operation conditions.

When attempting to create a “Yardstick” of measurement between pool builders realize shape is only the beginning to a well planned design concept. The obscure elements of design involving the often hidden components such as the plumbing system can have a far greater impact on the functionality and operational cost over the life of your pool.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

• How many Main Drains will my pool have and what size is the plumbing?
• How many Skimmers will my pool have and what size is the plumbing?
• What is the overall distance between my pool equipment pad and the actual pool?

Note: If your pool builder can’t answer these questions upon presenting a design you can assume the intentions for your installation were meant to be vague.

Piping Runs and Pipe Sizing

The longer the piping runs the more electrical energy it takes to filter the pool. The smaller the piping size the more electrical energy it takes to filter the pool. Keep in mind larger, correctly sized pipes will reduce your electrical energy consumption.
Today’s swimming pool industry considers 7 feet per second (FPS) water velocity within a pipe as an acceptable and responsible standard. Therefore smaller pipes are used and these smaller pipes will cost you less to be installed.

We design our piping networks to not exceed 5 feet per second (FPS) which saves energy much like an automobile traveling at 50 MPH verses one traveling at 70 MPH. Realize that you will consume much less gasoline per mile at 50 MPH than at 70 MPH because the wind resistance at 70 MPH is much greater.

The laws of physics apply very similarly with moving water through a pipe faster with the exception that rather than burning more gasoline per mile traveled you are using more electricity for gallons being pumped and filtered. It will cost half the energy to move water at 5 (FPS) as compared to 7 (FPS).

SOLUTION: Utilize larger pipe sizes and shorter piping distances thus reduce energy consumption.

Filtration Type

Sand filtration is the most energy efficient as compared to CARTRIDGE or D.E. filters. SAND filters, filter at 20 microns (when clean) and 10 microns (when dirty). Cartridge and D.E. filters will filter 5 microns (when clean) and 3 microns (when dirty). Although both levels are visually identical to the naked eye, the finer the micron level the more energy it will require to push the water through the filter. Additionally, the finer the micron level the more often the filter will require cleaning. If cleaning isn’t done on a regular basis, filtration durations are often increased (due to reduced flow) in order to get an acceptable turn-over rate for a pool. Increasing filtration durations waste energy by using more electricity to move less water.

Solution: By using Sand Filtration you can save electricity and are less likely to over filter your pool water.

Filtration Maintenance

Sand filters are allowably back washed into a typical drainage system and pose no health hazards. Cartridge and D.E. filters (if not maintained properly) can over filter (2 microns) and can pose a bio-hazard by filtering out certain water borne bacteria. The Cartridge replacement elements (internals in a Cartridge Filter) cost $250 to $600 per change out and should be replaced every 18 to 24 months. D.E. filters must be recharged with Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) after each cleaning, which has costs associated with those replenishment.

SOLUTION: By using Sand Filtration you can save replacement costs, and reduce maintenance expense combined with lowering your electricity bill!

Pumping Size

The larger the pump’s horsepower is, the more kilowatts of electrical energy that will be consumed in order to filter the pool water. If, piping is smaller and the distances are excessive, more horsepower will be required to move the water through the piping network. Pumping sizes and piping sizes must be calculated and matched to their best inter-working relationship in order to maximize the greatest return from energy consumption. Achieving minimum flow rates for optimum functionality involving Skimmers, Main Drains, Surface Returns. Floor Returns and other elements of hydraulic harmony isn’t guess work, it should be calculated.

By using the latest technology in variable speed / programmable flow rate pumps, several different functions can be addressed by one pump. Interfacing these pumps with controller intelligence, and designated actuator function can provide a wider range of operational functionality with the greatest benefits while minimizing electrical usage.

Solution: In order to truly benefit from advancing technologies, you will need to hire those most familiar with their applications.

Roof Solar Heating

Many swimming pool solar systems unnecessarily waste energy. When connected to a typical filtering system network in a parasitic fashion the high flow filtering pumps (designed to pump higher filtration volumes) divert some of that flow through the solar panels. The panels are often placed on a roof thus requiring greater pressure to force the water vertically up and through the solar system. This situation invariable reduces the maximum potential for returning filtered water back to the pool. A reduced flow requires the pump to run longer and consume more electricity in order to provide solar thermal contribution and the required filtration turn-over.

This inefficiency is compounded because the maximum thermal contribution window for roof solar panels is between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm (April through September). This time window corresponds to what many title companies refer to as “Peak Usage” hours and they discouraged consumption between 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm by affixing a higher Kilowatt Usage Costs in that time window.

Solution: Consider different solar options and pumping options that can reduce electrical consumption while still providing thermal contribution.

In-Deck Solar Heating

By incorporating a thermal absorption grid within your concrete decking you can capture radiant heat that is stored in the concrete. Concrete that is exposed to long periods of daytime direct sunlight far exceeds the ambient air temperatures and holds heat long after sundown. This condition will allow solar heating operation to take place during off-peak energy conservation hours. Solar operation can be programmed as a lower volume independent mode of pumping operation, separate from the higher flow filtration requirements. The pool decking elevations will usually correspond to a friendlier energy usage relationship than that of roof tops elevations. Therefore, in-decking solar systems can reduce the energy required by a solar system and together with independent pumping rather than parasitic pumping you can gain the maximum heating value for the least electricity consumed

Solution: Have professionals design your solar systems so that they use energy much more wisely.

Electrical Wiring Sizes

When deciding what the correct wire size for the appropriate electrical loads are the builder should consider the entire functional operation, not just the filter pump. Pool equipment locations generally involve installing an Electrical Sub-Panel. This panel will have a group of wires that provide electricity from the Main Electrical Panel. The distance from the main panel together with the anticipated electrical load (ampere draw) will determine the wire size. Electrical loads are measured in Amperes (Kilowatts) which is the measurement of energy consumption.

As electricity travels from the main panel to the sub-panel through the selected wire size, some energy is lost along the distance. The loss is measured in volts (allowable voltage losses) (AVL) and should not exceed 2% of the line voltage under full load conditions. As an example, 240v (AVL) = 4.80 Volts. This voltage loss is wasted power that you are being charged for as part of your kilowatts of consumption. Lost voltage is much like the loss of piping pressure while moving water through a pipe. Voltage is the pressure whereas Amperes or Kilowatts are the gallons per minute being used. The greater your losses, the greater your waste and that waste will be on your electricity bill.

Depending upon the ampere draw (pumps & components operating) being demanded for electricity by each component a total calculation can be assessed and a selection for the main wire sizing can be made.

Often in swimming pool sub-panels assessments the filter pump’s operation is the basis for selecting wire size because most often the secondary functions would not be considered to be operating simultaneously. In this scenario the builder could size the sub-panel’s wire feed smaller at less expense to the installation. This savings is very one sided because it marries the customer to higher voltage losses (lost kilowatts) under full load conditions.

This is common practice in the industry much like the piping systems pipe sizing being smaller and less expensive to construct yet more expensive to operate. In today’s economy a builder’s installation costs will directly affect the bid price you receive. In evaluating the real worth of what you are going to receive you should be sure to measure the performance of what is being proposed.

Solution: Design wire sizes to the full load values at 100% operational functionality conditions while staying at less than 2% AVL.

Chlorine Generators and Salt

Every few years new technologies are introduced to the swimming pool industry. Some of these are more beneficial than others. Some, although providing benefit have side effects that become more problematic than beneficial.

Maintaining swimming pool equipment generally isn’t something a new pool owner wants to spend a lot of time thinking about but, depending upon the type of equipment you are sold, it can be something that will have greater demands on your time and or your wallet.

Chlorine Generators use electricity to convert high concentrations of dissolved Salt to Chlorine as your pool water travels past the internals. These internals must be kept clean in order to accurately determine the rate of conversion. Additionally salt concentrations must be elevated to between 3,300 and 4,000 PPM TDS by adding salt to you pool water.

One problem with this technology is maintaining your pH chemistry. pH is affected by the exchange process in converting salt to chlorine. Therefore this technology requires much more attention to be paid to maintaining your pool’s pH values. pH balance is crucial to your pools longevity of plastered surfaces together with providing a friendly suitability for human contact.

Another issue is that the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) or Total Dissolved Salts (as some refer) at 3,300 plus PPM are consider unsuitable for ingestion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the maximum concentration of water chemistry’s constituents for potable water are 500 PPM/TDS. In weighing in sensibility, one should evaluate our internal organs sensitivities and tolerances to higher concentrations with that of our largest permeable organ’s (our outer skin) ability to cope with being immersed into a solution that represents more than six times (WHO) recommendations.

Several Cities’ now require a special permit in order to drain pool water that has been treated with salt and they dictate that this treated water must be drained into the sewer system not the storm drain system. This clearly exhibits their concerns for water quality issues together with the risk to fish, fowl and other animals. Salt concentrations at these levels are unhealthy for your domestic animals ingestion, as well.

Other issues concern water features that have water spraying or water flowing and coming in contact with a tile, rock or concrete product’s surface that will periodically become dry under non-operation conditions. When this situation occurs the water chemistry’s constituents will precipitate onto that surface as the liquid water becomes vaporized during the drying process. This will be an ongoing maintenance problem causing a build up overtime if not regularly kept clean. In a similar light, issues involving electrolysis corrosion on some components constructed of metals that come in contact with pool water can experience an accelerated deteriorating condition.

Finally the longevity of a titanium cell’s typical warranty duration is about one year, in a few cases two years. The replacement of this cell after that period will cost between $600.and $800.

When compiling the information regarding the inherent problems of salt / chlorine generating together with the higher energy consumption (as compared to feeders) it’s difficult to imagine how such a technology became promoted as a better option to sanitizing your pool water.

Often the allure of the latest technologies subordinates our ability to reason with the façade that the latest is the greatest. The latest needs to be validated by knowledgeable professionals that are involved in implementation and making observations. These are our opinions and critiques as we have come to appreciate a sensible approach to building a quality product with integrity.

We are hopeful that you will gravitate toward the sensibilities suggested herein and if this information helps your decision to build a pool better, we will have been part of that success.

There are several very big differences in the industry wide swimming pool construction practices of today’s economy. We employ all of these “Best Practices” mentioned above as our standards.

When selecting your builder we highly suggest that you investigate whether or not an equal level of commitment prevails dedicated to your long term satisfaction. Measure the benefits of a short term profit taking that will result in you paying for something that will cost you more over time.

“Be aware of what you are paying for today and what will cost you tomorrow.”