Frequently Asked Questions
| Q. |
I hear more and more people are getting
safety covers. What are the benefits and are they expensive?
|
| A. |
Safety covers have many benefits:
| • |
Keep your yard looking great
Your pool and backyard look nice even when the pool
is covered.
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| • |
Peace of mind
You can take comfort knowing that children and/or
pets that may fall into the covered pool will not
drown, as the safety cover will support their weight
and keep them safely on top of the cover until they
can get off.
|
| • |
Quality and economy
Safety covers are an investment that will last you
many years. Typically you will go through at least
3-5 solid covers, 40-50 water bags, water to fill
the pool in the spring and countless hours of cleaning
and pumping off the cover.
So over the life of a safety cover, you are likely
to have spent at least the same if not more money,
on an inferior product. Some insurance companies will
even give you a break on your policy if you have a
safety cover (check with your insurance provider).
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|
| Q. |
Are pool heaters worth the investment?
|
| A. |
YES!
With gasoline prices on the rise, more and more people
are spending their recreational dollars and time at home.
A typical pool can cost $40,000-$60,000 these days. Summers
are short in New England, and pools without heaters are
generally used only in June, July and August. Even then,
some people won't use the pool much of that time because
the water is too cool.
Can you put a price on extending your
season from April to October?
...or taking the chill off the water so people will actually
use the pool more often?
Typically pools that are heated get used an average of
50-75% more. You don't need to swim in 90 degree water,
but it isn't that costly to add 4 or 5 degrees, and that
major investment in your backyard will get plenty of use!
|
| Q. |
We have an old heater and the pilot
doesn't seem to stay lit and the heater is very finicky.
Is there something better out there?
|
| A. |
Absolutely.
Heaters used to be operated by a standing pilot, which
in short, created about 1/2 volt of electricity to operate
a large appliance. Being outside, it doesn't take much for
the weather and mother nature to wreak havoc with that 1/2
volt and make the heater undependable.
Most heaters these days are electronic ignition, meaning
you have 120 or 240 volts running the heater and confidence
knowing that when you turn on the heater, it will fire!
You also don't have the wasted gas of a pilot running all
season - a substantial savings.
|
| Q. |
My neighbor just got a heat pump and
says it doesn't need gas to heat the pool and is much cheaper
than a gas heater. Is this true?
|
| A. |
Yes... and yes, sort of.
Heat pumps do not use gas. To put it simply, a heat pump
is like an air conditioner in reverse. It takes the heat
out of the air and heats your pool water.
Heat pumps work very well, but do have their limitations.
The upfront cost is more than a gas fired heater, but it
is a lot cheaper to run.
The heat rise in these heaters are generally slower than
a gas fired heater and in cooler weather they aren't as
efficient, but for the pool owner looking to keep their
pool warmer without the high gas costs, this may be the
heater for you.
|
| Q. |
If I have a heater, why do I need a
solar blanket?
|
| A. |
A solar blanket's main benefit is to prevent heat loss
though evaporation. When you see the steam coming off your
pool on a cool evening, that is evaporation and essentially
you are seeing your pool cooling off.
By using a solar blanket you will maintain the heat your
heater is generating and spend less in gas/electricity and
time heating your pool back up each day.
Some people find solar blankets bulky and a pain to put
on and take off. They do make an alternative that works
like a solar blanket, but without the trouble, called "solar
fish." Contact us for more information.
|
| Q. |
My pool equipment is old and noisy but
seems to run OK How do I know when to replace it?
|
| A. |
If your pump is loud and 8-10
years old, you may want to change it over to a newer, more
energy efficient pump. It will likely save you operating
costs and dirty looks from your neighbors.
As discussed above, newer heaters are
more cost efficient and reliable, so it may not be worth
it to sink money into repairing an older unit.
|
| Q. |
What is considered the best filter on
the market?
|
| A. |
A good Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filter will keep your pool
the cleanest. It filters down to below 5 microns.
Sand filters are the most popular because they are normally
the easiest to operate, but the clarity of the water doesn't
rival a DE filter.
Cartridge filters fall in the middle of the other two as
far as filtering capability. The down side is that you have
to manually clean the filters when they get dirty and replacement
cartridges can be expensive.
It all comes down to personal preference. If you need help
deciding what the best filter is for you, contact
us.
|
| Q. |
I hear people talk about balancing their
water. All I do is add chlorine every day and it looks fine.
Is balancing your water really necessary?
|
| A. |
Yes.
Even though adding high doses of chlorine to your pool
water daily will keep the water clean, if your PH, Calcium
and Total Alkalinity counts (as well as others) are off,
you will get shorter life out of your equipment, damage
to the structure of your pool, and swimmer discomfort.
Testing your pool water on a regular basis is strongly
recommended.
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Still have questions?
Feel free to contact us for more information.
|
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Web Specials
Order a
safety cover
by August 1 and
GET 50% OFF
INSTALLATION
|
Buy a heater by
July 1 and get
$100 OFF
Gas Fired Heaters
and
$200 OFF
Heat Pumps
|
FREE DELIVERY
on purchases of
$200 or more
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