Variable Speed Pool Pumps - The Revolution in Pool Building
Variable Speed Pool Pumps - The Future of Swimming Pools
By choosing the proper pump, Swimming pool owners can expect savings of at least $400/year.
Only the energy-aware owners of swimming pools truly realize the high energy usage of their own pool. In fact, the pool motor is probably one of the most energy demanding appliances they have on their property. The reason is that most swimming pool pumps are built using an out-dated single speed motor that runs at a preset speed and horsepower. In the past, energy supply has been in abundance and energy reducing efforts have not been considered - a norm in the pool industry.
So how much energy is my pool and spa pump using? A study recently showed that to run California’s 1.2 million pools requires roughly the same production as one nuclear power or two conventional energy plants (study by Davis Energy Group for Pacific Gas & Electric – 2004). Imagine the energy usage of ALL the swimming pools across the United States, and how this much impact our energy conservation efforts. Arizona also has an incredible quantity of residential pools per home, which is why Phoenix pool companies are switching to these incredible new pumps.
The solution? Pumps working smarter, not harder.
In the past few years, swimming pool pumps and motors have been part of a huge power-saving improvement effort. The variable drive, variable speed pool and spa pump has revolutionized the pool industry and its efforts to save and conserve energy. These new pool and spa pumps are using permanent magnet motors, which have been designed to run with less power. The standard induction motors used in swimming pools actually use more than 30% more power than the new permanent magnetic motors. By simply programming the pump to work at the least required speed for each pool task (heating, cleaning, circulation, waterfalls, etc.) energy reduction can be as much as 90%!
By running a pool pump at its slowest speed necessary to perform a job, it will dramatically slash the energy consumed (simply because it takes less energy to push water slowly than quickly). Did you know? The simple reduction of speed by 1/2 can reduce the energy necessary to 1/8 - to perform the same pool task. Simply put, these new pumps allow the pool owner to program and “dial in” the pump speed to achieve the minimum power use.
Energy Savings of $620 to $1,350
According to Pentair Water Pool and Spa, their IntelliFlo® and IntelliPro™ variable drive pumps routinely reduce energy use up to 90%, depending on the models and circumstances for average savings of $620 to $1,350 annually. Many pool owners are having their out-dated pumps replaced because the huge cost savings will actually pay for the new variable speed swimming pool pump.
Electricity delivery charges are even higher in Arizona, and with Phoenix’s huge swimming pool count, this new pool pump has become an absolute necessity for pool contractors in Phoenix when designing swimming pools. The recent revolution to electricity efficient products makes owning a GREEN industry pump even more desirable in California too.
Specific Examples of how IntelliFlo pumps by Pentair can be used in your pool:
First and foremost, this swimming pool pump can be used for an in-floor cleaning system pump, and it’s set at 3100 RPM, which is about the same as a 2 horsepower pool pump. The same swimming pool pump can be throttled down to a half HP pool pump to circulate & filter the water of the swimming pool. With some easy computer technology, the same pump can be used as a booster pump for the hot tub jets (imagine a slow speed therapy and a high speed jet – all from the same pool pump, and the push of a button!) Another great use is the setting to control the flow of a waterfall or pool water feature (it is also known to be used by high end residential Phoenix landscaping companies to manage the flow & sound of unique landscape waterfalls or waterfeatures). The IntelliFlo Pentair pump can be programmed for two speeds (actually more) - giving the pool owner a low speed fountain for a relaxing evening outside on the patio, or you can turn it higher for MAX PRESSURE for a backyard party!
Dave Money With The Solar Energy Tax Credit
Has the price of setting up solar panels and water heaters put you away altogether from the idea of solar power? Hold your bucks, there! You will be able to earn Federal tax credits for energy productivity. The tax credits came about since the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy boosted a drive to improve the quality of the environment and boost energy efficiency. Therefore you’ll be able to lay claim your solar energy tax credit when you set in motion your solar panels and water heaters in your abode. Did you acknowledge those matters could spare you up to a 3rd of your power accounts?
Solar Panels
You can obtain a solar energy tax credit of 30% of the cost of your solar panels regardless of the total cost of installing solar panels, or photovoltaic system, in your home. This tax credit applies to existing homes and those currently under construction, running from 2009 through 2016. To qualify for the tax credit, your solar panels must come with a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. That’s a signed assertion from the manufacturing business affirming that the solar panels measure up for the tax credit. Retain a copy of this certificate. Nonetheless, you will not need to submit it with your yearly income tax return. Merely there are a a couple of stipulations. Your photovoltaic system must provide electricity for your home. It must as well come across altogether with the fire and electrical code necessities in your State. In addition, the system must have been placed in service before 31 December 2016.
Solar Water Heating System
You can also get a 30% solar energy tax credit for solar water heating systems with no upper limit on the cost, either. There’s a catch though. In fact, there are a few, truth to be told. Your solar water heating scheme has to allow water for use within the house only. You are able to enforce the system to heat up your swimming pool, whether it’s outdoors or indoors. And no hot water from solar energy can be used for your hot tubs. The scheme has to be operating before the 31 of December 2016. The sun has to be the author of at the least one-half of the energy returned by your house. Most significantly, the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation must have endorsed your solar water heating scheme. And you unquestionably require the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement.
Claiming Solar Energy Tax Credit
Save the receipts for the expenditure you’ve incurred in installing solar panels and a solar water heating system in your home. Keep score of the cost and make sure you can patronage your cost with the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. Home advances held in 2009 can be laid claim in your 2009 income tax return, which you have to file with the IRS by April 15, 2010. Use the 2009 version of the IRS Tax Form 5695, which will become available in late 2009 or early 2010.
When you reckon that you’ll be gaining a third of your consumption on solar energy back from the collector of internal revenue, I would say that’s a merry good deal. What have you got to miss? Consequently get your home weaponed with solar power now and take your solar energy tax credit! Visit my site right away!
You can learn more about how to become an independent energy producer and save on energy costs at Solar Power Lights visit us now!
Begin acquiring confident action now towards your savings and planet and you will be astonished just how matters can be bettered and converted.
A. Arvizu
Building Your Own Steam Shower
Fortunately, you don’t have to tear up your bathroom or break the bank to build a steam shower, but…
If you want to build your own steam shower or have one built for you, there are some important things that you will need to do.
The mission, should you choose to accept it is to…
- cover the roof of your shower enclosure
- seal the enclosure with a special door
- install a steam shower generator
- optional: include something to sit on, like a folding or fixed bench or a tiled bench
If you decide to build a steam shower suite, which includes…
- a shower,
- steam jet, and
- built in seating,
it would take up about the same amount of space as an average bathtub enclosure.
You can convert a small walk-in shower into a steam shower, but the enclosure may not turn out big enough to include a bench. That means you would not be able to relax during your steam shower. You would have to stand the entire time.
Steam Shower Structure and Sealing
The structure
The walls and ceiling of your enclosure must be made of waterproof material such as tile, marble, granite, limestone or fiberglass.
Cover the roof
Many standard shower stall doors stop short of the ceiling by a foot or so. You’ll have to…
1) buy a lightweight acrylic dome top, or
2) install a cover made of a material like fiberglass or stainless steel.
Steam condenses, so the ceiling should be sloped or curved. If the shower ceiling is flat, condensed water will constantly drip down on you.
Believe me, it’s not fun when a few of those drops hits you in the eye while you’re trying to relax and enjoy the moment.
Seal It
Your enclosure needs to be sealed very tight. If water vapor escapes, it will ruin drywall, paint, or wallpaper.
You’ll also have to deal with rotting problems if steam penetrates into your walls, ceiling and floor.
That wouldn’t be good.
Home steam showers are meant for enjoyment, not ruining bathrooms.
You can’t have a vapor-tight enclosure without the right kind of door. Manufacturers sell steam shower doors in a variety of styles and colors.
Now, what about the steam?
If you want to build a steam shower, obviously you’re going to need something to produce the steam, right? So…
You’ll need to install a steam generator.
You may need a plumber and an electrician for this job. The steam generator needs to be hooked up to the water line and a 240V line voltage.
Deciding where to place your steam shower generator can potentially be one of your biggest design challenges.
Steam showers are growing in popularity because people enjoy the soothing relaxation that they provide.
After all, it’s a great option to be able to come home after a busy day or a tough workout and unwind in your very own steam shower.
Terrence Banks has written about building a steam shower and buying a steam shower door.