Q: Why is brushing the pool so important? Won’t my automatic pool cleaner keep the surfaces clean?
A: The Automatic pool cleaners only remove the debris and sediment from the surfaces. Manual brushing removes the microorganisms that are invisible to the naked eye but that are beginning to develop, colonise and establish themselves (Biofilms). Once established, biofilms cause damage to the surfaces and affect the water quality. They are also extremely hard to remove. Think of brushing your pool as the equivalent to the reason we floss our teeth. Brushing breaks up these biofilms before they create problems, and lifts them from their habitat enabling the chlorine to kill it and the filter to remove it. Q: Do I have to clean and clear the skimmer baskets? A: Big YES! For 2 important reasons:
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Q: How do I reduce the amount of electricity my pool pump uses?
A: Pool pumps often run longer than necessary and can account for 20% of your electricity bill. The pumps purpose is to circulate the pools water to keep the chemicals mixed and to remove debris. You can reduce the filtration time to 6 hours per day if you add the chemicals in while the pump is on and by removing the bulk of the debris by vacuuming or using a skimmer. Reduce your pumping time to 6 hours a day. If debris is a problem, split the 6 hours into 2 shorter 3 hour pumping times. You can also install a timer to control the pump cycle. Reduce or increase the 6 hour pump time until you find a balance between water quality and your electricity consumption. Reducing your filtration time to 3 hours a day can reduce your electricity bill for pumping up to 60%. Also ensure that your intake grates and baskets are clear of debris. Clogged baskets and insufficient backwashing makes your pump work harder which uses more electricity. Don’t backwash too frequently as this wastes water and the filter will not reach its cleaning potential. |