Pool Equipment Repair & Replacement: Ultimate In Pool Care | Spring & Summer Activities

The pool pump is the workhorse of the system. The pump pulls water from the skimmers and main drains, and pushes it through the filter, heater and sanitizer so clean, clear (and warm) water comes back out through the returns. Variable Speed Pumps are now Federally mandated. Their higher up-front cost is quickly recouped as they typically run on 1/3 the electricity of old-school pumps. Variable speed pumps utilize magnetic motors, like electric cars, and they’re designed to run slowly, offering huge energy savings. The speed is “variable” and can be increased to run a heater or cleaner, and decreased for optimum efficiency at other times.

The Chaikin Ultimate Group proudly installs Jandy Pro-Series Side Mount Filters with glass media. Many filters were originally installed much too small for the size of the pool, and have a hard time keeping the water clean and clear. After time, the sand itself deteriorates and no longer traps fine debris. Although there are other types of filters on the market, we recommend filter replacement with glass media in most instances. Diatamaceous Earth (DE) filters were very popular, but they require constant maintenance and have intrinsic health and safety concerns. Cartridge filters are appropriate in many instances with challenging site conditions and don’t require backwashing, but the basic economy versions do not filter very effectively.

Benefits of glass media:

Recycled glass filtration was first introduced in the 1990’s and has grown in popularity since then. We use a recycled glass media in your sand filter because it is just simply the smarter option.

• It is super fine, providing the benefits of D.E. filtration with the ease of sand filter maintenance. Glass media can filter particles below 9 microns, compared to the 20 microns of traditional sand
• It is long lasting. Glass shouldn’t need replacement for 10 or more years vs. sand replacements required every few years.
• Its environmental. Recycled glass media is produced from glass bottles that manufacturers don’t want. (It’s safe and easy to use. There are no sharp edges.)
• Glass doesn’t clump like silica sand and utilized the whole filter, not just the top few inches like sand does.
• You will use less water because your filter will require less backwashing and a shorter backwash cycle with glass.

Gas pool heaters use either natural gas or propane. As the pump circulates the pool’s water, the water drawn from the pool passes through a filter and then to the heater. The gas burns in the heater’s combustion chamber, generating heat that transfers to the water that’s returned to the pool.

Gas pool heaters are most efficient when heating pools for short periods of time, and they’re ideal for quickly heating pools. Gas pool heaters can be a good choice for pools that aren’t used on a regular basis. Unlike heat pumps, gas pool heaters can maintain any desired temperature regardless of how cold the weather gets.

Heat pumps use electricity to capture heat and move it from one place to another. They don’t generate heat. Although it seems strange given Long Island’s high cost of electricity, electric heat pumps are actually a more energy-efficient way to heat your pool vs. gas-fired heaters. In fact, they’re considered to be Energy Star appliances and earn a $600 PSEG-LI Rebate!

The heat pump heater works like an air conditioning condenser in reverse. It draws in the outside air and directs it over the evaporator coil. Liquid refrigerant within the evaporator coil absorbs the heat from the outside air and becomes a gas. The warm gas in the coil then passes through the compressor. The compressor increases the heat, creating a very hot gas that then passes through the condenser, which transfers the heat from the hot gas to the cooler pool water circulating through the heater.

Heat pumps generally cost about 30% more than a gas-fired heater, but they don’t require a propane tank or upsizing and piping natural gas to the heater. They take longer to heat the pool, but run more efficiently once the pool is at desired temperature. The main downside for Long Island users is that they do not run efficiently at cooler temperatures in the 60’s or below.

This technology has been in use in Europe for decades, and became very popular in the United States in warmer climates where pools run all year because of great cost savings vs. purchasing chlorine tablets. Here in the Northeast, the systems are popular because they allow you to swim in more comfortable water, with lower chlorine levels.

For a chlorine generator to operate, pool-grade salt is added to the existing water until it reaches the proper level as indicated by the equipment manufacturer. The salinity of the water is more like human tears than the ocean, and is still considered “fresh water” and should not corrode equipment or feel very salty to the taste or touch. The chlorine level can be adjusted higher or lower depending on bather load and each pool’s individual need for more or less sanitization to remain clean and clear. An electrolytic cell is installed onto the pool’s existing plumbing system, and creates pure chlorine by passing the pool water (now a saltwater solution) between titanium plates that are electrically charged. When the saltwater passes through this electrical field, a chemical reaction produces pure chlorine and some hydrogen gas. This treated (chlorinated) water enters the pool and within minutes kills any biological or bacterial growth.

The salt used during the process to generate chlorine is returned to the pool as salt when the chlorine breaks down. Since salt does not evaporate like the water does, you will not add salt very often.

While automation systems can be a substantial initial investment, they can go a long way toward making your pool more efficient and enjoyable. When automation is installed on new pools, coaxial cable is generally run back to the home internet source. For a retrofit on an existing system, you must be sure your have a strong upload and download signal at the pool equipment, as everything depends on the strength of the wi-fi.

Most homeowners control their pools through an app on their cellphone or tablet. Some prefer to use a touchpad, which can be at the pool equipment or in the home. Pool filtration systems and heaters can be programmed to run at certain times and/or set to certain temperatures, which will help save on energy costs and eliminate wear and tear on equipment. Automation systems can be upgraded when and if equipment is added, and can control lighting, water features and more.

The Chaikin Ultimate Group’s staff is here to help assess what you’re looking for in automation, what equipment you currently have and how we can help put a system together that works best for you.

Old-style incandescent bulbs are no longer allowed to be manufactured and sold as of 2023’s United States Energy Efficiency codes. But that’s not a bad thing for pool owners, because upgrading to LED lighting not only saves about 85% on energy, but they’re also safer, brighter and give you the option to create endless mood effects.

• The Chaikin Ultimate Group proudly installs genuine Jandy “Hydrocool” nicheless lights in all new pools and many renovations
• Standard-size LED lights are used in existing light niches. Jandy lights fit into either Hayward or Pentair niches.
• The additional upfront cost vs. incandescent pays back in energy savings. Incandescent pool lights use the energy of 17 household bulbs lit at the same time!
• LED lights don’t heat up, so they last much longer and never cause a fire hazard.