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Indoor pools have always been more expensive to operate than other comparably sized buildings, because the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system must run continuously to control humidity and protect the building. However, technological advancements, such as new energy-efficient equipment and add-ons for existing indoor pool HVAC units, offer aquatic facility operators the potential to significantly reduce monthly operating costs.

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By: Pool and Spa Marketing

To maximise the features and benefits of this equipment, it is important installers select the right size and place each piece correctly—both in relation to each other, as well as to the pool itself and other on-site aquatic features (e.g. splash pads, water fountains). This article will discuss best practices for designing aquatic facility pump rooms, with a focus on efficient operations and maintenance.

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By: Pool and Spa Marketing

Energy efficiency; consumers demand it and product development teams strive for it. These days, it is also the focus of advertising and packaging designs for nearly all home and industrial equipment. From light bulbs to dishwashers to automobiles, the amount of energy consumed is a major factor in the research and development (R&D) of new products, not to mention their ultimate purchase by the end-user.

Pool heaters are no exception. In fact, the various types of pool heaters on the market are often compared to each other based on energy efficiency. The four available heating technologies in the pool industry are: gas (natural gas or propane), heat pump, electric resistance-style (very few pools use these systems anymore), and solar. It is generally understood that heat pump technology is more energy efficient than gas, while electric resistance-style heaters are less efficient. Solar heating is the most efficient in terms of the cost of generating heat (it is free from the sun), but there are variables in how efficiently water is pumped from the heat source (e.g. roof-mounted panels) to the pool, as well as in the cost of the solar collectors.

That being said, this article will focus on gas heaters as they are the most commonly used for pools and have changed the most over the past 30 years.

By: Pool and Spa Marketing

https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/a-look-at-the-evolution-of-pool-heater-technology/print/

As swimming continues to grow as a preferred method of exercise and physical therapy for the young and elderly alike, commercial aquatic facilities continue to experience an increase in patronage year after year. This can be witnessed by the escalating number of people who use pools for water aerobics, muscle strengthening, and water walking/yoga; not to mention traditional swim lessons, and competitive swimming and diving.

Aquatic facility operators and managers need to keep abreast of the many safety products available to keep the pool, deck area, and locker rooms as safe as possible for patrons of all ages and physical abilities. It is important to equip today’s pools with products that help prevent accidents and injury such as padding for dive stands, slides, and water features, slip-resistant flooring for pool decks and locker rooms, properly maintained perimeter grating, and even padding for custom rails and ladders. Renovating aquatic facilities to make them safer benefits staff and patrons. Further, adding these safety products can also provide a facelift for older commercial pools.

https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/minimizing-injury-risks-at-public-swimming-pools/print/

By: Pool and Spa Marketing

For all of the criticism and market pressure brought to bear on traditional chlorination, proponents point out that despite popular concerns and a spectrum of available alternatives, chlorine has remained indispensable for many professionals and consumers alike — a fact that is not likely to change anytime soon.

https://aquamagazine.com/features/inside-chlorine-s-staying-power.html

By: Aqua Magazine

Maintaining appropriate levels of calcium hardness is a key balance factor in basic recreational water care. Typically, water in a vinyl-lined or fibreglass swimming pool should contain a calcium hardness level of 175 to 225 parts per million (ppm), while the recommended range for plaster-surfaced pools is a little higher at 200 to 275 ppm. In addition, the overall balance of calcium hardness is directly related to other key balancing factors, total alkalinity (TA) and pH. Managing calcium hardness is extremely important due to the problems that can occur if it is not properly controlled.

By: Pool and Spa Marketing

https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/controlling-calcium-hardness/print/

By Dale Papke

While portable acrylic hot tubs have dominated the residential market for almost 30 years, pre-manufactured acrylic or other non-concrete commercial hot tub materials have only become popular in the last 10 to 15 years as an increasing number of architects, developers and operators are selecting these products for commercial projects.

The reason for this is their lower upfront costs, integral waterproofing characteristics, lighter weight loads, ease of installation and less upkeep in comparison to traditional concrete commercial hot tubs. However, the growth and acceptance of acrylic and other concrete alternative materials has been a slow process.

While most concrete swimming pool specialists have considerable experience specifying, selling and installing commercial concrete hot tubs, only a small percentage of residential hot tub dealers sell into the commercial market. With a two- to three-year turnaround (from design to completion), along with extended payment terms and multiple contact involvement in the commercial sector, some residential hot tub dealers often pass on this type of business.

As a result, architects and designers (unless successfully approached and marketed by a company experienced in commercial acrylic installations), tend to specify products they are familiar with, i.e. conventional concrete hot tubs.

Tips on breaking the commercial barrier

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One of the best ways for an acrylic hot tub manufacturer to overcome the obstacle of entering the commercial hot tub sector is to market its products to the appropriate audience, with the goal of having them specified by an architect. This can be accomplished by consistently advertising commercial acrylic products in magazines and attending trade shows, which cater to architects, designers, developers as well as managers and operators of commercial facilities such as resorts, hotels, health clubs and day/destination spas.

The benefit for a manufacturer in getting its products specified, and listed in the blueprints by an architect, is to make it more difficult—however, not impossible—for a dealer to sell builders a commercial acrylic unit or even a stainless-steel model from another manufacturer.

However, the lack of a dedicated dealer network is a common problem for most commercial acrylic hot tub manufacturers. Unlike the residential market, where a dealer can consistently sell up to several hundred hot tubs a year and in the same time become an expert in all required areas of marketing, sales, installation and service, the average commercial dealer may only quote two or three projects a year. As a result, some dealers who do not do enough commercial business to gain the required experience or knowledge must rely on the manufacturer to provide assistance.

In this sector, manufacturers can easily bring on as many new construction projects to its dealers as the dealer will bring on itself. However, manufacturers rely heavily on its dealers to bring in retrofit orders where they may already have a service relationship with the commercial client (end-user). For example, if a small motel or health club has their hot tub serviced by a local pool or hot tub dealer, they will likely go to that dealer to get a cost estimate on a replacement hot tub as opposed to calling the manufacturer.

In some cases, if the manufacturer is successful in getting its products specified, this can quite often close the sale on behalf of the dealer. Some manufacturers will even ship the pre-plumbed shell, with factory-installed bracing and pre-plumbed equipment package to the dealer or directly to the job site. This allows the dealer or mechanical contractor to simply supply and run the plumbing and perform the startup and training. In most cases, a subcontractor will complete the decking and electrical work.

Future looks positive

Even after the economic downturn experienced last year, one bright sign is the emergence of several dealers who experienced double-digit sales in 2009.

One reason for last year’s positive sales figures, which is also a good sign for future sales, is the fact more concrete hot tub dealers are considering acrylic hot tub units. Instead of passing on the opportunity to sell acrylic hot tubs, these dealers are becoming more open to quoting less-expensive, pre-plumbed hot tubs.

Not too long ago, developers had no problem paying $50,000 for an installed concrete hot tub (including deck and electrical). Today, developers are quite interested in hearing about a product, which includes installation, deck and electrical for approximately $30,000 to $35,000.

Many small condominiums and boutique hotels are being designed with rooftop hot tub locations, with installations favouring lighter, prefabricated acrylic hot tubs. Replacement units, required as a result of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA), have also opened up opportunities for installation of prefabricated commercial units.

Commercial sales to increase

With the limited market for commercial prefabricated acrylic hot tubs and the support expertise required, this sector will not see any drastic changes in the number of manufacturers producing these products. This market is limited because only a small percentage of health clubs, hotels and condominium recreation centres are built on a year-to-year basis in comparison to the residential housing market. However, more dealers should see an increase in commercial sales and as they become more comfortable with the market, sales of prefabricated acrylic or other non-concrete hot tubs will continue to grow, thus increasing market share.

 HydroTher Commercial Hot Tubs, a Mississauga, Ont.-based manufacturer of commercial hot tubs, therapy tubs and swim-in-place exercise pools. A Division of PPL Aquatic, Fitness & Spa Group Inc., which specializes in design, construction, service and staffing support for commercial pool and recreational facilities. Contact info@hydrother.com for more information

Ask this question to 10 aquatics professionals and you may well get 10 different answers.

This may be due to the brand, the service contract, pool usage/how quickly they foul, sensor age and of course maintenance routines.

You might think that is a long list of factors to consider, but fortunately everything has a known average to it with the pool industry.

By; TMI Sustainable Aquatics:  Know When To Replace Your Chemistry Controller Sensors

Not long ago, pool maintenance required a fair amount of personal attention and effort. Managing water chemistry, maintaining the filter, and cleaning the pool and surrounding area were some of the tasks pool owners wanted to minimize in favour of having more time to relax and reap the benefits of their backyard investment.

Pentiar Intellichem System: https://commercialpoolandspasupplies.com/mechanical-equipment/new-products/pentair-intellitouch-load-center-for-pool-with-intellichlor-transformer

Pentair Intellichlor: https://commercialpoolandspasupplies.com/mechanical-equipment/new-products/intellichlor-ic15-16128

By Pool and Spa Marketing: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/how-technology-is-transforming-the-backyard-pool-experience/print/

With the goal to bring affordable, reliable pool and spa access to everyone, Aqua Creek Products offers a range of pool and spa lifts—many of which meet Canadian accessibility requirements for commercial and residential use.

Follow the link below to discover more about the Aquacreek Ranger Pool Lift

https://commercialpoolandspasupplies.com/ranger-lift-w-anchor-350lb-cap

By Pool and Spa Marketing:

https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/features/pool-lift-meets-canadian-accessibility-requirements/