A swimming pool sand filter is designed to remove debris out of the water in your pool. Water should be removed from the pool and pumped through the sand filter. If there are any problems with this sand filter then it can result in particles of dirt not being removed properly. Troubleshooting all of these filters is required so that you can find out what is wrong and put the problem right. There are a number of different brands of filters available and although they all work in a similar way the parts will not normally be interchangeable. Ensure you’re purchasing the right components for your filter. A sand filter uses sand to remove small particles from the water. As these filters will operate for 8 hours or longer each day they need to be properly maintained.
Particles Remain in Water
If particles of dirt remain in the water after back washing then this could be a result of the pump not being powerful enough. If the pump isn’t powerful enough then this will cause debris to remain in the water.
Filter not Effective
If the filter isn’t working properly then this could be because the sand needs to be changed. Under normal operating conditions the sand needs to be completely changed every 2 to 3 years. The sand used must be designed for pool filters. Silica sand 20 is the only sand that you should ever be using.
Sand in Water
If any of the filter sand is escaping into the water then this could be due to damage to the filter unit itself. If the filter is damaged then this will need replacing. You may also be able to replace the individual components inside the filter.
This could also be because the sand particles are not settled. After back washing the filter you should run the rinse function for around 15 seconds. This will ensure that the sand particles are settled.
Leaking Pool Filter
If the pool filter is leaking then the first thing that you will need to look at is where it is leaking from. There are a number of different places where a sand filter can leak from. Over the winter months the water inside the filter can freeze and expand. This could cause pipes or the filter body to crack and become damaged. If this is the case then these pipes or filter components will need replacing.
Leaking water not only creates a mess but it will also cost you extra money. These problems should be repaired as quickly as possible to minimize the amount of water you waste.
Calling in an Expert
Of course, if you struggle to find the cause of the problem yourself then you should call in an experienced pool maintenance engineer. These people will be experienced and able to get to the bottom of the problem as quickly as possible. By fixing this problem you can make your filter much more efficient
What You Need to Know About Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps
Air conditioners and heat pumps keep your home cool in summers, but there are a lot o important facts about these appliances that most people are unaware of. Here is some information about these products that might influence your purchase decision.
R22 Freon Phaseout from Air Conditioners
When buying a new air conditioner, you can now only go for those which use Puron as a refrigerant instead of R22 Freon, which was commonly used before 2010. R22 Freon is harmful to the ozone layer and it has been banned from use in new air conditioners from 2010.
If you already own an air conditioner that uses R22 Freon then you will still be able to get the refrigerant from the market for service or repair purposes. But you should know that as more and more companies will shut down production of R22 Freon, its prices could shoot up. So if your air conditioning system is old and in need of repair then it might be a good idea to replace it with a Puron based system, instead of prolonging your use of R22 Freon.
Heat Pumps – Go for a Hybrid Product
Heat pumps are special appliances that have the dual benefit of providing heat in winters and cooling in summers. The system is able to do it through reversal of flow of refrigerants. In heating mode, the heat pump transfers heat from outside air to inside air and in cooling mode it takes heat from inside to outside.
The problem is that electricity based heat pumps work only till temperatures of -5°C. If the temperature goes further down, then you need to switch to a furnace. With Hybrid Heat systems, this problem is solved by automatically switching to the furnace mode when temperature falls below -5°C.
Such a hybrid heating system is not dependant on one type of fuel – either electricity or gas. They ensure that you can deal with a sudden increase in price of one type of fuel. There are many highly efficient and affordable Hybrid Heat products in the market that you can choose from. One of the best options that you have is the Bryant 18 SEER Evolution Heat Pump.
Another advantage with using Hybrid Heat systems is that some utility companies provide financial incentives for using them. You can avail loans and rebates on purchase of high efficiency heat pumps.
Calyenty was started in 2006 having for some time evaluated the subject and challenge of efficient, economical and ecological swimming pool heating with several years experience with solar heating to draw on. Market research has revealed that property owners with swimming pools would like to have a more consistent temperature in their pool, and to extend their swimming season significantly. A pool is a large investment and it seems a shame that for most of the year it is unused as the water is too cold. If the property is to rent, a heated pool is a far more attractive proposition for your tenants over others without. Other heaters such as gas or electric are now out of the question due to the huge running expenses and their poor carbon footprint. Market research has resulted in the conclusion that by far the best method of heating your swimming pool today is by using an efficient heat pump. Heat pumps:
Provide effective and consistent heat.
Economical to run.
Low investment.
Reliable.
Low maintenance.
Small and unobtrusive.
Ecologically very efficient.
Simple to install,
Calyenty heaters are visually attractive and well built. The Calyenty heat pump is also considerably quieter than its competitors (in fact ½ the sound of a 1kw filter pump). Its stainless steel case also makes it safe against corrosion. The titanium heat exchanger means the pump is safe in any kind of treated water and the Hitachi compressor is renowned for its efficiency and reliability. Calyenty already has a considerable customer base in the Costa Brava and is establishing a dealer network across the Iberian peninsular, the Spanish islands and France.
We are very proud to announce that the Calyenty.com swimming pool heat pump and swimming pool equipment manufacture and supplier website is in the top 12% most visited sites on the internet. That’s the whole of the internet, i.e. for all of the sites covering everything that there is, not just in our rather narrow niche swimming pool heated pools and swimming pool furniture market.
Google announced on 7/25/2008 that it had indexed over 1 trillion unique URL’s. That is 1,000,000,000,000. So we are in the top 120 000 000 000, which doesn’t look so good, but when you consider that there are now 880 000 000 000 websites less used, it makes the warm feeling return.
We used the independent analyzer offered by Hubspot which is a great tool to see how your website stacks up, but also identifies areas where you can improve the structure and content of your site to get you up the search engine rankings and onto page one where you really need to be.
It can also be used to check out how well or badly your competitors are doing in the online arena. Please see our website to see for yourselves how we got such a great grade, you may even like to email us with your comments, good or bad!
To celebrate the fact that our website is doing rather well we are going to make the following unbeatable announcements, so if you have a swimming pool, and you live in either Spain, Portugal, France, any of the Costas or even the UK keep reading.
Swimming Pool Heat pumps: For heated pools in Spain, Portugal, France and the UK. Costa del Sol, Costa Brava, Murcia, Malaga, Marbella, Costa Brava, Costa De Luz, Majorca, Moraira, Costa Blanca, Canary islands etc.
Swimming pool heat pumps are inexpensive.
Swimming pool heat pumps are quiet.
Swimming pool heat pumps are small and unobtrusive.
Swimming pool heat pumps are inexpensive to run.
Swimming pool heat pumps are inexpensive to install.
Swimming pool heat pumps are environmentally acceptable.
Swimming pool heat pumps deliver lots of heat into your swimming pool.
Swimming pool heat pumps are flexible in how and when you use them, we even have sms control so you can control them from wherever you are
Swimming pool heat pumps are durable and will last for a long time if you buy the correct model and look after it. (Calyenty offer a full and comprehensive maintenance package with our excellent range of swimming pool heat pumps.
We also offer a massive range of swimming pool equipment. Contact us for: Fully automatic retractable laminated pool cover for both inside and above the swimming pool. Come in White, sand, blue and solar enhancing laminas.
Summer and winter covers with or without rollers.
LED lights, our LEDS are the most powerful, using a fraction of the energy you would use in a traditional halogen swimming pool PAR 56 bulb. Both flat mounted and niche replacement options are available from Calyenty. The colour changing functionality is fantastic and can be operated by remote controller if there are just a few bulbs in your pool, or synchronized controller if you have a very large or commercial pool. We can supply these LED PAR 56 swimming pool bulbs at an unbeatable price and we will beat any comparable price you may have.
Also: swimming pool filter pumps and filters, salt water systems, solar showers, pool robots, astralpool products, stainless steel ladders and much much more.
As part of our celebration we will beat any price given with a pool in Spain, Portugal, France or the UK with any swimming pool product, swimming pool heat pump heaters, and automatic covers.
Please contact us today for this unbeatable price offer, we carry massive levels of stock and can offer immediate delivery.
Call us on 0034972660467 email us info@calyenty.com or visit the website
This is part of a series of brief posts on ‘clean energy jobs’ opportunities for sparking meaningful employment, quickly, in the United States as discussed in Clean Energy Jobs: Stimulate Me.
Clean Energy Jobs Go Swimming: $300 million per year for 10,000 jobs
Legislation is, they say, analogous to making sausage. Sometimes, in the mixing and mashing, seemingly well-intentioned and sensible options can create counter-productive situations and leave many valued goods on the table. One small example of this could open the door to creating employment, lowering costs for state & local governments (including educational institutions, improving ‘customer’ satisfaction, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
When it came to the stimulus package earlier this year, as part of a politically popular move limiting programs eligible for funding, “swimming pools” were explicitly excluded from ARRA funding mechanisms. While, amid serious economic stress and government investment to keep the economic from continuing in freefall, it might have seemed morally appropriate to do this, this restriction simply flies in the face of reality and good sense.
Around the country, whether in schools (K-12 and universities/colleges) or public parks/rec facilities, state and local governments (and independent public recreation authorities) own and operate swimming pools. Many of these, especially as one moves away from the sun belt, are indoor pools heated for good portions of the year. For example, Fairfax, Virginia, has nine recreation centers with indoor swimming pools. Dependent on many factors, the annual heating bill for one of these (large) pools can run $10,000s to even $100,000s.
Such utility bills typically continue, often under the radar, even amid reduced local tax revenues as a ‘fixed expense’ with seemingly no good choice: continue to operate the pool (perhaps saving some $s by lowering the temperature a few degrees and angering swimmers; perhaps raise entry fees significantly and cut into usage) or close it down for months at a time. Few localities choose the shutdown option, unless near bankruptcy, thereby almost guaranteeing above-inflation rate increases in the utility bills even as local revenues fall. Another option, however, exists — one that was precluded by the ARRA restrictions and that should be opened with a jobs package: solar hot water.
Solar hot water for pools represents one of the fastest payback options for renewable energy systems. Without even accounting for any outside assistance, according to the Department of Energy:”Between 1.5 and 7 years” to payback? That is, roughly, stating that there is an ROI of between 10 and 60+ percent per year of energy savings versus the cost of installation. This, as well, doesn’t account for reduced maintenance costs and lower future system replacement costs.
This Energy Smart choice, however, falls through the cracks in many local government planning systems. Solar isn’t well understood and, often, viewed as some form of ‘enviro-liberal luxury’ item. Utilities come out of a different budget than infrastructure investments. Utility costs are often undifferentiated, thus the $100,000 to heat a pool is simply wrapped up in the $300,000 (example) of utilities to run a rec center. And, amid economic constraints, investment budgets for ‘enviro-liberal luxury’ items are often the first to go to the wayside.
Here, however, is a straightforward way for the Federal government to spark local business activity throughout most of the nation, help local governments reduce operating costs (SAVE MONEY!) while providing better public services (warmer pools at lower cost), foster improved infrastructure for renewable energy projects throughout the nation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs.
At a rough estimate, putting in solar hot water heating in an enclosed public pool might run roughly $100,000 on average. A Federal program could combine direct payments along with additional assistance: a direct payment of 50 percent along with, as necessary, a ten-year loan program for the remaining portion. In essence, this would provide local governments a path toward $10,000s a year in savings on every heated pool’s operating costs, money that could be used to keep teachers and policemen on payroll or pay for other threatened local government expenditures (and/or reducing the burden on taxpayers).
Such a program would be a highly effective leveraging tool as part of Federal assistance to state and local governments. The Federal assistance would pay back, a high rate of return, in terms of local and state governance costs. And, it would foster jobs.
Due to the leveraging amount, assuming that the Federal costs would end up (at the high end) at about 66% of installation costs, every million invested should support about 30 direct and indirect jobs (which, of course, includes the teachers not fired due to local government savings).Let’s take that Fairfax County recreation department case: nine large indoor pools. Assuming (almost certainly low) that each pool costs $50,000 to heat each year, this totals some $450,000 in annual heating costs. Pool heating percentage of total costs varies, but a 50 percent figure is a reasonable working number: thus, annual savings would be $225,000 (or roughly 3 teachers with benefits). Let us assume that it would take $1 million to put in solar hot water heating for all of these large pools. The upfront costs for the solar heating would be paid back in just under 4.5 years (at a 22.5% per year savings), assuming that energy costs don’t rise. If the Federal government paid half the costs, the County would see its investment paid back in just over two years. A two-year, 40% per year, payback seems quite sensible for funding via a bond program that might cost the County’s citizens about 5 percent per year in interest. And, by the way, this does not count the various tax and other economic benefits that would accrue back to the County of Fairfax, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Federal government due to business activity, employment taxes, and other financial implications of such a program.
A $200 million per year program, assuming the Federal government’s costs total 66% on average, would mean some $300 million per year invested in solar heating for public swimming pools (local & state rec centers and parks; K-12 schools; public universities). In just a few years, the majority of the nation’s public heated pools could be converted to solar heating. A $400 million program ($600 or so total investment) would support the conversion of roughly 6000 public swimming pools around the nation. This program could, as well, easily be extended to Federal pools (such on military bases), assistance to non-profit pools (notably private educational institutions), and assistance to backfitting solar heating to commercial pools (such as water parks). (The program could, as well, be expanded to energy efficiency in these facilities from pool covers to more efficient pumps or otherwise.) Let us say, with that additional effort, a $300 million / year program would leverage to $500 million / year and rapidly transform the heating of America’s large pools from fossil fuels to renewable energy and increase energy efficiency in America’s recreational swimming.
We have been at it again - and text-lock is the latest big idea.
We have already invested heavily in the text-lock, and CE mark testing starts this month, but we would like to know what you think by helping us with your answers to eight simple questions on our on line survey which will take you less than a minute to complete.
Text-lock is a remote controlled padlock which can be opened by a mobile phone, mobile device or pc from anywhere in the world, while logging an electronic signature of everybody who uses the text-lock for access.
We are utilizing the latest in GSM and power storage technology which is now not only very powerful in what it can deliver but is small enough to engineer into a product such as this.
Why?
In 2008 in the UK alone 80 million deliveries failed on their first attempt and 20 million collections were also failed at the first attempt. This alone results in massive financial losses, frustration and inconveniences to both customers and parcel service companies. The impact on the environment is also staggering, when you consider the huge waste of human, equipment and fuel resources doing everything twice or inefficiently.
Today’s online community provides us all with more and more opportunities to make purchases and sales without visiting the shops. This is because it fits our current lifestyle to do such activity from our pc screen as we like to maximise our time either working, socialising or involved in leisure activity. However this online convenience generates its own new challenges such as: how do we take delivery or organize collections of such online trade ?
Text-lock makes all this possible. It is very simple, economical, secure and convenient.
All you need is a safe box, store, room or enclosure which is secured shut with a text-lock. Set up the delivery/collection with the parcel service, and that’s it, you never need to make a special journey or hang around all day or pay somebody or inconvenience somebody else to meet a driver – its all done automatically and remotely.
How flexible is it?
The text-lock comes in two forms:
1. Firstly the text-lock padlock is perfect for securing boxes for deliveries and collections, gates, enclosures, containers, sheds , storage facilities, garages etc.
2. Secondly the text-lock controller is supplied as an auxiliary device which can be connected to electric edge locks or existing electrical locking mechanisms such as electric doors found in hotels, electrically operated gates and garage doors etc.
Electronic signature:
Each text-lock comes with a unique electronic serial number ID. The text-lock can only be opened by an authorised command linked to its unique serial number. The text-lock works hand in hand with our signature server which logs every access event to the individual text-lock owners account which is based around the unique text-lock serial number.
You can even set up an access event on the signature server with an access code, for example a tracking number. The server will only allow access to the authorized requester (such as a parcel service driver) with the correct code. This leaves you free to work late, go for drinks with colleagues, or indulge in a leisure activity like the gym a swim or squash etc.
Anyone trying to open the lock without the correct code will be traceable as he will have left his phone ID on your signature server log. This feature makes the system almost impossible to abuse.
How secure is it?
The text-lock comes with an integral secondary link which enables you to secure the padlock itself so that it cannot be taken away. This also prevents such as a drop box from being removed.
Most standard locks are actually quite insecure in that they rely on a barrel and tumblers which are quite simple to crack or pick with a little knowledge.
With the text-lock there is no external route from the lock catch to enable this lock to be cracked or picked in any way. The only way it can be opened is with the right command which even in its simplest form is millions to one against being guessed.
If anybody tries to tamper with the text-lock it will text you to alert you to the situation.
If anyone leaves it open it will text you and him to remind him to secure the lock again.
Other features include: email alerts, low battery warning text, audio and text-alert tamper alarm and i-phone app.
We are now at a very advanced stage with our development of this product and most of the technology has already been tested with 100% success. The text-lock padlock will be CE mark tested this month (December 2009) and we hope that it will be available for general distribution sometime in the first Q of the new year 2010.
There just remain some outstanding issues for us to address and this is where you can help us with your valuable feedback.
In recognition of your help we are giving five of these fantastic and exciting new products away and every completed online form that we receive back will enter a prize draw. The first five out of the hat will receive a brand new text-lock. The draw will be made on December 22nd 2009, so please take a minute and send your feedback to us today.
The online form can be found by clicking here.
Rest assured we will not share your email address or any other personal information with any other party.
This week the Intercontinental Hotel in Beirut is bathed in a beautiful mauve light, and it had nothing to do with exploding phosphorus bombs.
The lighting comes from the complex of new swimming pools surrounding the hotel which have just had state of the art LED lights installed, all supplied by Calyenty - the pool products manufacturer and supplier based in Girona Spain.
Some weeks ago Calyenty were approached by a UK based lighting consultant to provide a bulb which would project a specific purple shade of light which could not be sourced anywhere else in the world.We contacted our factory in China with the request and within less than six weeks the lights were installed and wowing guests staying at the Hotel.
LED lighting has several benefits over traditional bulbs, but are particularly attractive as they can project a variety of colours in addition to the standard white.This is perfect for hotels or other such commercial enterprises as they can create themes tailored for promotions and special events.
Calyenty LEDs come complete with a mini computer which can be phased to create several fixed colours such as green, blue, white, red and our now famous purple. They can also be phased to create bleed effects or even disco beats – great for parties.
LED lights are far more environmentally acceptable too, as each bulb only consumes just 15watts per hour compared to traditional bulbs which consume between 300 and 500 watts to generate a similar light output.
Our bulbs are PAR 56 which means that they are interchangeable with most standard swimming pool bulbs. A common misconception is that it is necessary to drain the pool to change the bulb. This is not true and any competent person can change a bulb in less than half an hour.
Why is a pool cover such an important addition to my pool?
Pool covers are essential to a keeping an efficient and more useable pool for many reasons, but firstly it is important to understand the different types of cover that are available.
Summer covers.Summer covers are temporary in that they must be able to be removed simply and quickly when it is time to swim, usually by having the cover attached by straps to a roller positioned at one end of the pool.Summer covers are made from materials that have good insulation properties the most common being bubble or foam.
The main benefit from having a summer cover is that it keeps heat in the water, especially where a heater is used.Most climates experience a drop in temperature at night, frequently climates where daytime temperatures are high the converse drop when the sun goes down is greatest, making the use of a cover at night essential to retaining a high water temperature.This cover will also significantly reduce the amount of evaporation from the surface of your pool.This is often overlooked by pool owners, but during hot summers you can lose the equivalent of the whole volume of your pool through evaporation, which is hitting you in the pocket and is terrible for the environment.By cutting down on evaporation, you are also reducing the amount of chemicals that are needed.
Summer covers also reduce the occurrence of algae attacks and reduce the amount of debris entering the water.
Winter covers.Winter covers are employed where a pool owner closes the pool down during the winter.These covers are frequently referred to as debris covers or safety covers.These covers are usually made from a tough woven fabric and are fixed down overlapping the edging stones of the pool basin securely by straps to anchors in the hard ground around the pool. The main purpose for using these covers is safety, where if the pool is not being used and supervised it prevents anything falling into the water.They also prevent the build up of leaves and other debris while the pool isn’t being maintained on a regular basis.
Automatic covers address the issues for both summer and winter situations and have the convenience of touch button automation.These are more expensive, but look fantastic and really help to keep the health of the pool water throughout the year, keep the heat in and provide peace of mind safety.
The Lib Dems are today up in arms and the attorney general, baroness Scotland (yep the same that passed the legislation outlawing Samoan cleaners without passports from being cleaners, then promptly employed one because she only cost 10p a day) is bringing action against Bae for unethical sales techniques - (A curry and a night at Spearmint Rhinos for a couple of Czech arms dealers) when securing massive arms deals abroad, citing that such practices brings into question the equity and fair-mindedness of the British when conducting business on the international stage - and that this will look bad and nobody will want to buy sausages or Scotch Whiskey off us any more.
Bae generates more revenue than any other UK company, and they build fighter bombers, fighter bombers that kill people, kill lots of people. Either we stop making killing machines per se, or we sell as many as we can and to hell with the ethics or how many pole dancers it takes to do it, if our politicians think they can have it both ways they are delusional.
Oh, I think one of the Czech arms dealers was offered a years worth of Chlorine for his 6m above ground swimming pool.
Heating the water is essential if you want to make the most of the investment you have made in your swimming pool.Extending your season and more comfortable swimming are just two of the good reasons for doing this.The challenge for any heating system is that an average pool contains about 50 tonnes of water and has a large surface area to lose temperature when the temperature drops at night.
The options you have are: direct electric induction heaters, gas, solar or heat pumps.Induction heaters are cheap to buy but incredibly expensive to run.Gas is both expensive to install and run.Solar is expensive to buy and maintain, challenging to install without major visual impact to your property and fails to warm the water when really needed.
It is now widely accepted that the only feasible option to economically heat a pool is to use a heat pump.
Why are heat pumps so efficient?They use a technology which has been around for several years, similar to that used in your fridge only in reverse.Recently this technology has been improved to make them even more efficient.
How can they produce up to seven times the calorific output compared to the energy they consume?Power consumption is only used to power a compressor and a fan.The fan draws surrounding air across a condenser coil. The energy from the air passes into the condenser coil which is then passed to the pool water via a heat exchanger.
Because a heat pump utilizes the energy that is already present in the atmosphere it is by far the most effective and economic way of providing warm water for you pool.We always recommend that a cover is used at night when the pool is not being used to keep all that valuable heat in the water.