Chemicals work in conjunction with water circulation and filtration. Even with a vast and superior understanding of water chemistry, pool water can suffer if water circulation is too limited or if filtration is poor. Therefore, allow the equipment to operate for the recommended amount of time. Also clean the filter as part of your routine maintenance schedule.

Equipment run time is an issue of constant debate and argument in the pool industry. Many pool professionals demand that the equipment is run continuously 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. Other pool professionals disagree and argue that the equipment only needs to be run 8-10 hours per day.

Supporters of continuous run time (24/7) provide numerous justifications for their claim. They argue that:

• The electrical charges associated with operating the equipment continuously is a minimal fee.
• There could be a much more significant increase in your electrical bill with the daily start-stop-restart pattern. A substantial amount of electrical energy is used during the initial start-up of the equipment.
• Chemicals rely on circulation and filtration. If water is stagnant, filtration will be by-passed, and water chemistry will suffer.
• If water chemistry is lost, it will cost a lot of money to purchase the additional chemicals that will be required to re-attain water chemistry. Once water chemistry is lost, it will take 2-3 times the amount of chemical to re-attain water chemistry than it would have to simply maintain water chemistry.

Supporters of the 8-10 hour run time offer a rebuttal as well as their own justifications. They argue that:

• Pumps and filters are properly sized by the pool professionals. The equipment that is installed on each pool is done so on a case-by-case basis. The pump will be able to send the entire volume of the pool water through the filter within 8-10 hours.
• Just as you cannot make something that is already wet any wetter, you equally cannot make something that is already clean any cleaner. Therefore, since the equipment can clean the water in 8-10 hours, the additional 14-16 hours of operating the equipment is useless. The only noticeable effect will be an increase in your electrical bill.
• It is best to run the equipment overnight. It is cooler at this time, which will be easier on the equipment. But, if swimming will take place during the day, make sure the equipment is operating just before, during, and for at least an hour after swimming.
• The supporters are actually stating to run the equipment every night and during all encounters in the pool, which totals in the area of 8-10 hours. 8-10 hours, then, is not a mandate. Rather, it is a guideline.

Both sides make a convincing argument. So, who is right? To an extent, both are. The pool professionals that install the equipment on your pool must do so with the correct sizes. They will calculate the gallons of your pool, take the diameter of the plumbing into consideration, see how far your equipment sits from the pool, see how high above or below the water level the equipment sits, install the correct size pump and filter for your pool. Properly sized, the equipment only needs to run 8-10 hours. But, even with your properly sized equipment, if you use the pool daily, and at times, multiple times per day, then operate the equipment continuously. Also, regardless of use, if you are in a period of hot temperatures, unbearable humidity, and intense sunlight, operate the equipment continuously. Finally, if you traditionally have problems with maintaining water clarity, allow the equipment to operate continuously.

This issue of equipment run time will constantly be a source of debate. Much of the debate also involves the tap water from your particular region. Some water sources are very volatile (unstable) while other sources remain fixed (stable). Therefore, this is a regionalized issue. CHI recommends that you run your equipment between 6 and 10 hours per day.

Choosing Pool Equipment

Choosing Filters

The filter, when correctly chosen and sized to suit the specific requirements of the pool, can significantly add to the enjoyment of the pool by helping to keep the water sparkling clean with very little care. The most common types of filters are:

1. HI-RATE SAND

This type of filter utilizes a fine bed of silica sand or zeo-lites  through which the pool water flows

The dirt particles are trapped in the upper layer of the sand, and from time to time, when the loading of the dirt reaches a certain point, it is necessary to flush the sand clean by “backwashing” the filter.

2. DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

This type of filter contains a series of grids covered with a durable fabric. The fabric covered grids are “pre-coated” with a fine powder (diatomaceous earth) and as the water flows through, the dirt particles collect on the powder covered grids. When the dirt loading reaches a certain point, the filter must be “backwashed” , then re-coated with the powder.

3. MODULAR MEDIA

This filter contains either a single “cartridge” or a series of cartridges made of filter fabric. The pool water is forced through the cartridge and the dirt particles become trapped on the surface of the fabric. When the dirt loading becomes excessive the cartridge must be removed and cleaned. No backwashing is required.

It is very important to be aware that certain communities have restrictions on the types of filters that can be use. Your builder will be aware of the codes and should be able to offer advice on the most appropriate choice for your pool.

Choosing pumps

The recirculation system of your pool is as important as the one in your body is to you! It consists of piping, a pump and filter. The choice of all three for each pool is a science in itself.

Providing the properly-sized pump and filter to keep the pool water sparkling and refreshing, while efficiently using the electrical energy for low-cost operation is an integral pat of you builder’s planning.

The pump is the “heart” of the recirculation system for the pool. Some of the things to consider with respect to the pump are the following:

• Is the quality of construction of the pump the most suitable for the application?
• Is the flow rate of the pump ideally suited for the application?
• Is the motor of standard efficiency or high efficiency?
• What is the warranty on the pump?
• Does it have features which make it easy to service?

In most areas a pool heater of some type will prolong the swimming season and the hours during which you could swim comfortably. There are many types of heaters to choose from, such as natural gas, liquid propane gas, oil fired, electric, solar powered, and heat pumps.

Each type of heater has its own efficiency rating and the relative costs of the various energy sources have a large role to play in determining the type of heater most suitable. Discuss your options with your builder and select the type which represents the most benefit.

To compliment the heater and to reduce the heat loss from the pool, a pool cover should also be considered. There are many types of covers, each with their own features including efficiency, durability, and safety.  Discuss the option of a cover with your builder to determine if it is in your best interest to use one.

A flow reversal system also compliments a heater.  It improves the heating by two to three times.  A flow reversal system returns warm water to the bottom of the pool instead of the top, taking advantage of natural heat circulation.

Choosing Pool Cleaners

An item of great convenience which can add to the enjoyment of your pool is an automatic pool cleaning device. There are a large variety of mechanical random action cleaners available.

These cleaners need to be installed in the pool for cleaning but must be removed from the pool for swimming. Recent advances in the design of these cleaners make them quite effective.