Running An Efficient Pool - Saving You Money

In today's economy, tips on how to save a few dollars here and there are always valued. Even though it's winter in Cleveland and most pools/spas are closed, we can always plan for the future.

Times are tough and everyone is feeling the effects one way or another. We have to be optimistic and hope for the economy to turn around, slowly. If you already have a pool/spa, it can be considered your "staycation." Sprucing up the backyard, having pool parties and enjoying the backyard you've worked hard for can turn into a rewarding vacation. You're saving money by not traveling, so why not save more money by making your pool/spa more energy efficient?

Maria Slaby from HubPages has some very good tips on saving you money whether your pool/spa is still up and running or when you open in the Spring. First, your pump: make sure it's on a timer, reduce your run time in the winter to save on your power bill and look into a variable speed pump. This pump runs at a lower speed to circulate, sanitize and filter your water. The pump can be ‘kicked up' to a higher speed to run your water features. Spend a little bit now to save for years to come.

Second, Slaby talks about pool heating. Gas can be used to heat a spa quickly but it is not recommended for a pool - it would be too expensive in many parts of the country. Electric heat pumps are very efficient for heating your pool. Of course, there needs to be heat in the air for the heat pump to 'steal' to heat the pool. If you are in a cold climate, the heat pump might not make sense. Solar heating is the virtually free cost of warming up your pool.

Finally, for a gunite pool, a chlorine generator is a must. They take salt and through electrolysis, make sodium and chloride which is what sanitizes the water. Because of the great demand for chlorine in a gunite pool, this investment will pay off in several years. As a side note to this, the price of chemicals is on the rise!

Make sure the pool and spa stay clean. Cleaning out the skimmers and baskets from debris can avoid putting pressure on the pump and filter to work harder. Saving a little money now can make it more affordable to have a service technician from High-Tech Pools, Inc. service your pool/spa, leaving more time for family, parties and fun! High-Tech Pools, Inc. offers full service, everything from routine cleanings to making your backyard look spectacular for your next outdoor event! Call us today!


Slaby, M. Make your Pool Go GREEN - In a good way! Retrieved November 19, 2009, from HubPages http://hubpages.com/hub/Energy-Efficient-Swimming-Pools.

Did you know spas can help fight sickness?

The swine flu has become everyday vocabulary for people everywhere. With all the hype about flu season and the swine flu, people are taking every precaution possible; washing hands, getting vaccinations, not going to work/school if feeling sick, etc. But did you know relaxing in a spa could help as well?

Spa therapy is also known as hydrotherapy and works by stimulation. According to Holistic Online, spa therapy relieves the body's natural pressure from gravity, then stimulates the nerves and circulatory system. By adding jets and bubblers to the hot water, the nerve impulses work to enhance the body's immune system, increase circulation and digestion and even lessen sensitivities.

Holistic Online also says for an effective hydrotherapy it's important to:
1. Use water temperature between 102 to 106 degree F for loosening tight, tense muscles and reducing the pain of stress-related conditions such as backache.

2. Take a cold shower after you step out of the bath because this brings an immediate rush of blood through your system, as well as a rush of energy.

3. Stay in the bath no more than 15 to 20 minutes. If you have high blood pressure or cardiovascular problems, don't stay long enough to raise your body temperature.

4. Evening is the best time to soak in water. A study conducted in England found that people who took a soaking bath before going to bed slept more readily and deeply.

Imagine a cold, winter day spent relaxing in your own hot tub. High-Tech Pools, Inc. can design and construct the perfect indoor or outdoor hot tub. The picture above is just one design we have done. Please visit our website at www.hightechpools.com and take a look at our photo gallery of award winning spas!


Source: Holistic Online (1998-2009). Hydrotherapy. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from http://www.holistic-online.com/hydrotherapy.htm.

Swimming Laps

A deer in Gastonia, North Carolina swims laps after falling into an indoor pool. The deer apparently fell through the ceiling and and decided to make a splash in the indoor swimming pool. According to The Huffington Post, the deer swam around, and at one point, appeared to actually be swimming laps, within the lap lanes. The whole scene was caught on security camera. The video can be viewed by visiting: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/31/deer-swims-laps-in-north_n_341061.html.

This is a great reminder of how important it is to have a pool cover. Even though this incident occurred in an indoor pool, this could easily happen with an outdoor pool. Covers can help this from happening to animals and humans! Covers also help with debris. Winter covers a especially important on pools for the long winter. When leaves fall in the pool, they tend to stain the plaster. This makes for a more extensive clean-up in the Spring. If you are in need of a winter cover for your pool/spa or maybe need a new winter cover, we can help! Just give us a call 440-979-5070 or visit our website, www.hightechpools.com!




Source: The Huffington Post (October 31, 2009). Deer Swims Laps In North Carolina Pool. Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/31/deer-swims-laps-in-north_n_341061.html.

Fall and Bobbing for Pumpkins in a Pool!

The Arne Hanna Aquatic Center in Bellingham, Washington takes on an interesting approach to getting the community interested in the aquatic Center; swimming with 200 pumpkins!

In light of Halloween coming up in a few days, the aquatic center holds their annual "The Pumpkin Patch in the Pool" and has done so for the past 10 years. According to The Western Front, participants paid $5 to take a swim through the 200 pumpkins bobbing on the surface and eventually chose one to take home.

The aquatic center also offered a bob for apples after the swim. "All funds raised by the Pumpkin Patch in the Pool event go toward programs being run at the aquatic center."

Does your community aquatic center offer anything like this? If not, would it be something you and your family would be interested in doing? We would like to hear from you!



Source: Prosser, K. (October 27, 2009). Kids Pick Pumpkins from Public Pool. In "The Western Front." Retrieved October 27, 2009 from http://westernfrontonline.net/2009102711476/news/kids-pick-pumpkins-from-public-pool/.

CPSC In Full Charge

If your pool is not Virginia Graeme Baker compliant, you should probably contact us for help! The Consumer Product Safety Commission's staff (CPSC) has started making their rounds checking pools. Although, they will not say where the target areas are or where they have visited, we can tell you they have been in Northeast Ohio.

It seems the CPSC is targeting larger community pools. According to Pool and Spa News, "As of press time, the agency said it had checked approximately 900 pools and 300 spas in 700 locations. Approximately 80 percent were found to be compliant."

For those pools found to be non-compliant a letter was given. "The agency gave pool owners 10 working days to indicate in writing how the vessels would be fixed," this from Pool and Spa News. Fines can be anywhere from $100,000 to $15 million or even jail time.

The sticker shock may take your facility by surprise, but the price of main drain covers for larger facilities does run high. Beware of pool contractors that say they can make your facility compliant while asking for a larger than normal fee to do the job. High-Tech Pools, Inc. made The University of Akron, Kenyon College, Penn State campuses, water parks, hotels and residential pools compliant. We have experience, and we also have contacts to registered engineers.

Get compliant with High-Tech Pools, Inc.!



Source: Robledo, R. (October 7, 2009). CPSC’s Enforcement of VGB Signals Change in Approach. In Pool Spa News. Retrieved October 27, 2009. From http://www.poolspanews.com/2009/102/102n_enforcement.html

Playing Catch Up!

Two words: Closing Season! We apologize for the lack of posts for the month of September and most of October! Pool closing season gets busy! Please look for a few blogs today updating you on important happenings at High-Tech Pools, Inc.!

Pool Exercise for You and Your Pooch

Nowadays, people take their dogs just about anywhere: car rides, plane rides, dog parks, you get the point. Now, add swimming pools to the list.

Swimming is a great way to exercise, not to mention, great for rehabilitation workouts and other medical conditions. According to a tampabay.com article by Dawn A. Marcus, M.D., new research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that 24 weeks of pool exercise has marked health benefits for women after menopause; women assigned to pool exercise experienced a 15 percent drop in body fat and an 8 percent drop in blood pressure.

The numbers may make you want to splash in the pool, but what about getting into that bathing suit? You are not the only one that may have a fear of putting it on. So you work up the courage to get in the swimsuit, but now you need a work out buddy. Who better to work out with than your pooch. They need exercise too!

With tough economic times, people may find it more difficult to pay for the sometimes very costly gym membership. Why not have a pool in your own backyard that you can use whenever and bring your best friend to? Obviously, gyms don't allow pets and public pools may only host a few days out of the swimming season to allow the dogs to take a dive. With a private swimming pool, you can enjoy exercising with your best friend, whenever! High-Tech Pools, Inc. can help from start to finish in planning for your pool. Please visit www.hightechpools.com for pictures and inquiry information!