One of the hot topics surrounding swimming pool design today is the installation of a solar pool heater instead of a traditional electric heater. Many people are shifting their focus to greener, more sustainable amenities—not to mention systems that require little to no maintenance and have quieter operation. Solar pool heaters fit the bill on all accounts!
When trying to understand how a solar pool heater differs from a traditional electric one, many homeowners will first consult with their swimming pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of jargon that might be confusing, and it’s not always easy to understand the nuances of a solar collection system.
Breaking Down the Solar Heating System
To make it easier to understand, we’ve broken down a basic solar pool heating system step by step below and simplified it. If you’re interested in making this eco-friendly upgrade to your pool, take a look at the process of how a solar heater works:
Water is pumped out of your pool, where it’s run through a filter to remove any debris. Once it passes through the filter, it’s pumped to the next stage of the circuit where it will become heated.
Sunlight is collected by a solar panel array, generally located on your roof or other nearby sloped structure. Within the solar panel is a conduit, where water runs through the collection panels and becomes heated by the sunlight being absorbed.
Once heated, the water is returned to the pool. The process is cyclical, meaning water is always being pumped out and returned to the pool, creating a circuit of heated water that’ll keep your pool warm.
The process isn’t really as easy as 1-2-3, but the concept is. There are a lot of intermediate parts to consider as well, including a flow control valve that dictates how much water is being pumped out of the pool.
Additional Variables to Consider
There are also a ton of individual variables to consider with a solar collection system—each of which can have an impact on how effective the system is. For example, the tilt of your solar panels can determine how much UV light is being captured, just like the size of the solar panel can determine how much conduit is run and how long the water is heated. Even something simple like adjustment of the flow control valve can determine the flow rate of water being sucked out, which affects the temperature that it’s heated to!
All of this is to say that solar pool heating isn’t as easy as hooking up a few panels to a pump! It’s a complex process best left to swimming pool contractors in Los Angeles, CA, and one that needs to be adjusted based on the size and capacity of your specific swimming pool. Getting the most out of your investment in a solar heating solution only pays off when all of the variables are properly calibrated and coordinated properly throughout your system.
Building a pool on your property is an exciting prospect, and it is an investment that is certain to bring years of enjoyment for you, your family and your friends. Even though kids and adults of all ages can enjoy swimming pools, whether they’re swimming laps or sunbathing in a lounge chair, the kind of pool you construct should be based on the needs and preferences of your family. The problem is that deciding what kind of pool you want can be a challenge, especially when you are confronted with an overwhelming number of features and options to choose from.
To simplify the process, start out by asking yourself some key questions to help guide you when you meet with a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA to begin the process of designing a swimming pool:
Who will be using the pool? You should think about the ages of the pool’s main users and how they will likely be using the pool. If you have one or two young children, you probably don’t need a huge pool. In addition, you should factor the ages of the children into the depth of the pool. A gradual decline in depth can be a great compromise that offers a shallow area for the kids and a deeper end for teenagers and adults.
What features do I want around the pool? Installing a swimming pool can add so much more to your home than just a place to cool off. Think about the features that you want in the area around your pool, like a new deck or a grilling area. This will have an impact on the amount of space you will need for construction, as well as your total costs.
How much space is available for pool construction? The constraints of your space will have a big impact on the design of your pool. If you have an expansive backyard, you have more freedom to install a large swimming pool. If, however, your yard is on the smaller side, you will need to be more creative with your design to ensure that you are making the most out of your space. Your swimming pool should be proportional to the space that you have.
How many people should the pool accommodate? If you want a pool that’s exclusively for your immediate family’s use, you probably don’t need a gigantic pool. For entertaining guests, though, you will definitely want some additional room in the swimming pool.
It can be difficult to determine exactly what kind of pool you want—and that’s why you should get assistance from the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. We have been helping create the perfect pools for our clients for years as a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA, and we continue to deliver quality in all of the services that we provide. Take a look at our website to see some of the work that we’ve done, and then give us a call to get started with a consultation.
Making the decision to install an in-ground pool on your property is a big one. It’ll take no small sum of money, combined with construction phases and some serious planning to ensure you end up with exactly what you envision. And while many homeowners are stuck worrying about the cost or the construction-related disruption, it’s also important to consider the type of pool you want before everything gets set in motion.
Most don’t realize it, but there is no “regular” type of pool. The variables are broad and diverse when it comes to what you might need or want from your pool. And when you start speaking one-on-one with a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA, they’re going to ask you questions you might never have even considered about your family’s dream pool—starting with what type of pool you want.
Understanding Your Options
The “type” of pool you want refers to how the pool itself is constructed. You might know that you want a 12’ x 20’ rectangular pool or that you want an attached hot tub, but do you know what type of liner material you want or what construction material is right?
Choosing the ideal “type” of pool for you and your family means knowing the options and understanding each. Let’s take a look at the common three types of pools and which you might end up leaning towards:
Vinyl liner pools
These pools are the value pick. They cost the least amount of money to install and maintain, lasting a moderate amount of time to give you a simple, smart investment. Best of all, vinyl won’t limit your pool design. If you want curves or accents, vinyl can be conformed to them, for a seamless pool design that’s beautiful and effective.
The downfall? Vinyl liners need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years or they’ll deteriorate away. Vinyl can also look “cheaper” in comparison to other pool options.
Concrete pools
Also called “gunite” pools, concrete pools are strong, sturdy and value-additive to your property. They’re a great middle-of-the-road option because they cost more than vinyl, yet will stand the test of time. They’re also very diverse and easily customized.
The drawback of concrete, as any pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA will tell you, is the resurfacing process that’s needed every 8 to 10 years and the rough surface of the pool itself. They also take a long time to build!
Fiberglass pools
Fiberglass is a top-tier choice with a price to match. These pools require the least amount of maintenance and last for years without major service requirements. They can also be installed in a flash compared to other options. They look crisp and luxurious, and are absolutely a value-add for your property.
The chief downfall of fiberglass pools is that they’re premanufactured, meaning the entire pool needs to be transported to your property for installation! This can get tricky if there’s not a lot of space to maneuver in your yard. Cost is also a setback—expect to pay top dollar. Finally, you’re limited by design to what a manufacturer already creates.
Bring Home the Right Option
When you’re planning a swimming pool investment, look beyond the shape or size you want and think instead about the value you’re going to get for your investment. Consider the above three options for your family’s pool, so when the time comes to meet with a contractor, you’ll already have an idea of where you stand.
Many pool owners choose chlorine to sanitize their pool to keep contaminants from spreading in the water and to keep the water clean and clear. But is chlorine really the best option? If too much of this chemical is used, it can cause skin and eye irritation in swimmers. Use too little, though, and it won’t treat the water properly. Luckily, there are several options available to pool owners who want a different pool water treatment system. Because not all systems have the same features, it’s important to read up on the maintenance, water quality, cost and health benefits of each.
Are you looking for a pool sanitation system that does not require chlorine? The following information from a professional pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA can help you choose between popular chlorine alternatives.
Salt water systems
Salt is the most popular alternative to using straight chlorine for your pool’s sanitation. This type of system was introduced in the 1980s and gradually gained popularity in the pool industry before pool owners discovered that salt made the water feel soft. A great thing about saltwater swimming pools is that they actually use salt to generate chlorine in such a way that the solution does not irritate swimmers’ eyes, dry out skin or give off an unpleasant odor.
When compared to chlorine systems, salt systems require less maintenance and have less harmful effects. But keep in mind that, although it’s a more powerful sanitation system, it can be a pricy investment.
Ozone
Ozone generators are designed to aid in the breakdown of organic contaminants that find their way into swimming pool water. Taking this route may lower chemical usage by as much as 60 to 90 percent, but an ozone generator cannot sanitize a pool by itself. It does reduce the amount of chlorine that’s needed and can be 10 times stronger than traditional chlorine systems, but to provide continuous sanitation, it also requires a residual sanitizer—like chlorine—to be in the water all the time.
An ozone system is a good but often expensive investment. Get it and you’ll enjoy soft, clean water to swim in, and little to no calcium scaling.
Non-chlorine shock
If you want a pool water sanitation system that is great for oxidizing organic pollutants—like sunscreen, body oil and urine—then non-chlorine shock is for you. But like ozone generators, a non-chlorine shock system cannot sanitize a pool on its own. It too needs an additional sanitation method like chlorine to sanitize your swimming pool.
Because sunlight naturally oxidizes organic pollutants and there is little sunlight indoors, non-chlorine shock is a great option for indoor pools and spas. Also, you can swim in it immediately after application.
Choosing the best water sanitation system for your swimming pool doesn’t have to be hard or confusing. Call us at Avanti Pools, Inc. to speak with an experienced pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA. We offer a wide range of sanitation options—including ozone systems and salt systems—and will be more than happy to answer all your questions!
The benefits of self-cleaning pools are not talked about nearly enough, because most people assume that this added convenience will cost too much money. With help from a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA, let’s take a look at a few of the benefits this type of system offers. With luck, you’ll never have to worry about cleaning your pool ever again!
Save on maintenance costs
Hiring a pool cleaner for weekly cleaning could cost you anywhere from $75 to $165 a month for four visits. If you decided to take on the cleaning maintenance yourself, it would cost you around $100 every month for the chemicals, as well as the cost of any additional equipment you might need, such as test kits, skimmers and brushes. While these prices might not seem like a lot by themselves, when you add up all these costs at the end of each swimming season, they can easily take the joy out of pool ownership very quickly.
Efficient circulation
The cleaning that this type of system provides is important enough in itself, but it is just as important that the system also circulates the water in your pool to keep the water fresh and safe at all times for you and your family. Because the water on the top of your pool is affected the most by the sun’s rays, this part of the water is usually the most comfortable, and you might find that the temperatures below the surface are much different.
With the circulation afforded by a self-cleaning pool, the clean, warm water from the top of your pool will be circulated throughout the entire pool with greater frequency. This will allow you to run your pool heater less often during the cooler months, while also limiting how much money you have to spend on expensive cleaning chemicals.
Not nearly as expensive as you think
Not only is the installation of a self-cleaning pool system not nearly as expensive as most people might expect, but the money you will save over the lifespan of your pool will help pay for the installation costs in short order. You won’t have to worry about paying a pool cleaner to come to your house to get all of the debris out of your pool every week, nor will you have to worry about taking care of this maintenance yourself.
The cost-effectiveness and convenience of a self-cleaning pool system far outweighs the initial installation costs, and you will quickly realize how sound of an investment the system actually is. If you are ready to have a pool contractor in Los Angeles, CA add a self-cleaning system that begins paying for itself with each use, contact the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. today. We have experience in adding self-cleaning systems to pools of all kinds, and we are ready to take the burden off of you and make sure that your pool is as clean and safe as it can possibly be. Get in touch right away to learn more!
