Going Green is the right thing to do, but it usually means it costs you more time &/or money.  Pentair has changed the rules a little with its Pentair IntelliFlo pumps.  The VS-3050 (VS stands for Variable Speed) now allows you to save money by using a fraction of the electricity when running your pool equipment, as a result you are “going green”.  Traditional pumps run at one, maybe two speeds, but you aren’t able to control what speed that is or the amount of water being moved.  Pentair’s VS pumps allow you to set the speed of the pump to allow for the amount of water you need to move for that application.  Why move 80 gallons a minute when your fountains need 30 gallons, or your slide needs 20 gpm?

This pump utilizes the simple fundamental law of pumps ::
Slower moving pumps consume less power! » Continue reading “Pentair’s IntelliFlo VS-3050 Changes Pump Technology – Lets Go Green”

IntelliBrite^® automated color-changing pool and spa lights feature LED technology is the wave of the future in energy efficiency, lifetime value, quality of light, and controllability. With IntelliBrite, combinations of individual colored LEDs are mixed and matched to achieve a vibrant spectrum of colors. These combinations are power sequenced to illuminate and cycle through colors at varying speeds, and in different sequences of color. Combined with a custom reflector and unique lens design, the IntelliBrite LEDs offers super efficiency while being the brightest underwater LED light available.

An Eco Select^™ Choice: LED (Light Emitting Diode) automated color-changing pool and spa lights are the most energy-efficient pool and spa lighting option available. Plus, they can last 30,000 hours or more, minimizing replacement cost and disposal.

Pentair has finally gotten their act together and come up with an LED light, it came out in 2007 – 2008.  For years Pentair has only had the SamLight, which used a color wheel.  The SAm Light wasn’t as good, in my opinion, as Haywards ColorLogic LED and that is why Penguin Pools used them for years.  We don’t hide the fact that we use, and recommend, all Pentair products over any other manufacturer.

Now that Pentair has an LED light, we will use their IntelliBrite unit over the Hayward ColorLogic.  Truth be told, the units work the same and have the same “brightness” at night.  Since Penguin Pools uses Pentair pumps, heaters, filters, automation, salt generators, valves . . . adding their LED light only makes sense for the customer and us.

» Continue reading “Pentair’s New IntelliBrite LED Swimming Pool Light”

Why do pool builders always skimp or rush through the plumbing?  If it is done wrong or looks like junk, no one will be happy.
Straight lines and having everything symmetric is always more appealing to the eyes, but not always possible.  Excessive use of 90 degree elbows will hinder water movement and add a lot of friction loss.

Penguin Pools builds and designs pools to meet Federal Guidelines for flow, turnover rate, entrapment protection, and placement of returns.  Differences in plumbing setups and equipment sizing will affect water clarity, chemical usage, and overall operating costs from month to month.

Lets try to make this simple.

• As water moves through pipes it creates friction, slowing it down . . . just like the air against your car as you drive down the road.
• Each 45 degree elbow slows the water down a little and even more so with a 90 degree elbow . . . just like taking a turn in your car.
• You can go faster down a straight road, but must slow down at a bend & even slower for a corner.

Each time the water slows down due to friction or an elbow, the less water you are moving though your filter and sanitation system.

Pools without variable speeds pumps should have their water turn over once (1 time) every 6 hours !!!

If something looks wrong, SAY SOMETHING.

There is no way this plumber or pool company got paid, how do you even think to plumb something » Continue reading “Swimming Pool Plumbing”

Automating your swimming pool does one primary thing, it simplifies everything.

Depending on the severity of your swimming pool and how many water and light features you have, will determine the size and cost of your automation system.  The more water features (fountains, waterfalls, spas, cascades, wet decks …) you have the larger the system you need with more relays.  While automating your entire swimming pool can be costly, there are ways to benefit from an automation system without getting ridiculous.

Penguin Pools generally puts a Pentair EasyTouch 4P automation system on each new build to help customers reduce utility costs.  By putting in an automation system you can control key components like when you want your pump and light to turn on / off , what temperature to set your pool at (provided you have a heater), or controlling your salt water system.  Manual timers work well to control your pump, that is until they fail and never turn the pump on (algae growth) or off (wasted energy).
By only running your pump enough to turn your water over 2-3 times day, you can save money rather than » Continue reading “Why Automate Your Swimming Pool?”

Pentair’s Newest Automatic Pool Cleaner — Kreepy Kruiser

The New Kreepy Kruiser features many design elements shared by the most popular suction-side cleaner in history: Kreepy Krauly.  But, the Kreepy Kruiser has its own points of distinction, too.

The Kreepy Kruiser is similar in design to the Baracuda G3 & G4 that have become so popular with inground swimming pool builders and owners.  Pentair’s design utilizes only 1 moving part and 8 parts in total.

» Continue reading “Pentair’s New Kreepy Kruiser”