If you want the pool installed for all the summer fun you can squeeze in, start the process ASAP!

The best part of purchasing an above ground or inground pool in the winter is you will have plenty of time to do your research, compare products, prices, warranties, and companies. Since the swimming pool industry is a very seasonal business doing research in the winter is usually much easier. Sales representatives will have more quality time readily available to spend answering your questions, without you having to wait on hold. We recommend if you don?t have specific items you want to ask the sales team about, then ask about any special offers! Most swimming pool companies run specials in the winter and fall to help drive business. Pool manufacturers normally have price increases in February or March so by buying early you will beat the price increases.

Keep in mind that having your pool designs, ordered, shipped, and inventoried in the winter allows you to build the pool incredibly early in the season (basically as soon as the ground thaws)! This gives you plenty of time to not feel stressed or rushed in case you have any unexpected delays during the building process.

In our opinion, the absolute best time to buy your pool is in the winter. Start now and ensure that you have the most amount time in your new pool this coming spring/summer!

If your a regular reader of my blogs, then youve heard me mention "going green". Whether your getting prepared to install your pool or your searching for new products, Im sure you have seen the boom in products claiming "energy efficiency." Im sure you have also noticed then the increase in price of these products in comparison to the traditional equipment. So, is it worth it? Lets take a look....

The average cost of electricity per kilowatt hour in America is $0.10. During the summer months, it is best to let your pump run 24 hrs a day. According to Pentair, the ordinary pool owner can often spend more than $1000 a year on pump operation alone. A typical two speed model cost's $789 a year. These numbers translate as a savings of about $300 per year. Most two speed or variable speed pumps cost 2-4 hundred dollars more than your traditional pump, so the savings alone pay the difference in the first year! Also, consider that some states such as California and Arizona already have laws in effect that require all newly installed pool pumps rated over 1 HP to be either two speed or variable speed. Some places even mandate the pump be connected to an automatic timer that will shut the pump off after it has run the necessary amount of time. Many other states are also proposing enacting similar laws in an effort to conserve energy. Some cities and power companies are also offering cash incentives to pool owners who switch to more environmentally conscious pumps, so be sure to check with your local government to see if such a program exists in your area.

You can significantly reduce swimming pool heating costs by installing a solar pool heater. The cost of a solar heating system is very competitive with both gas and heat pump pool heaters, and they have very low annual operating costs. Actually, solar pool heating is the most cost-effective use of solar energy in many climates. A solar system consists of a pump, filter, flow control valve, and a solar collector (panels). On some systems your existing filtration system will act as part of the solar system requiring no extra equipment.

Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the panels, where it is heated before being returned to the pool. In hot climates, the panels can also be used to cool the pool. Rather than sending the water through during the hottest part of the day, it will circulate at night.

Solar pool panels are made out of different materials. The type you'll need depends on your climate and how you intend to use it. If you'll only be using your pool when temperatures are above freezing, then you'll probably only need an unglazed collector system. Unglazed collectors don't include a glass covering. They are normally made of rubber or plastic treated with an ultraviolet light inhibitor. Because of their inexpensive parts and simple design, unglazed collectors are usually less expensive than glazed collectors. These type systems will also work for indoor pools in cold climates if the system is designed to drain back to the pool when not in use.

The proper installation of a solar pool heating system depends on many factors. These factors include your climate, local building code requirements, how much sun you get, and safety issues. Always refer to the manufacturers manual for installation and safety concerns.

A heater is a fantastic accessory to add to your pool. Depending on where you live, a heater can add a few months onto your swim season. Like everything else there are tons of options, so which one is right for you? The first thing you must determine is if you need a digital or millivolt heater. A millivolt heater has a constant pilot, sitting just below a small generator. This generator uses the heat of the pilot flame to generate small amounts of power (milli-voltage, or thousands of a volt). This tiny bit of power is then used to operate the rest of the system. A digital heater only generates a pilot when there is a call for heat. Keeping the sensors active requires electrical power, so power must be run to the unit. The internal transformer will accept either 120V or 240V power, and transforms it to 24V for use within the heater.

So, now we know the difference between the two types, but what are the advantages & disadvantages of each? The advantage of using millivolt ignition is that no electrical power needs to be supplied to the heater. The heater can therefore be located in areas where no electrical service is readily at hand, or where it would be extremely expensive to provide. The disadvantages of using millivolt ignition are that you are always using a small amount of fuel, and millivolt current only travels a few feet down a wire, so it is impractical to use a millivolt heater with any kind of outside control system. A millivolt ignition is no longer allowed with natural gas in certain areas (such as California) because of concerns about fuel usage when the unit is not firing.

A digital system only generates a pilot when there is a call for heat. Keeping the sensors active requires electrical power, so power must be wired to the unit. The internal transformer will accept either 120V or 240V power, and transforms it to 24V for use within the heater. The advantages of using electronic ignition are you only use fuel when there is a call for heat, and if the pilot is extinguished during startup it will automatically relight. 24V power travels very well down the wires, allowing this design to be used in conjunction with an external control system, such as the Aqua Rite Plus Salt System.

The disadvantages of using electronic ignition is that there is always a call for small amounts of power. This requires the heater to be wired by a licensed electrician.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was made into law regarding swimming pools, wading pools and even spas. All new and existing swimming pools and spas that meet the criteria have to be in compliance by March 15, 2012. It is very similar to the laws regarding public access to Public Accommodations. Depending on how many linear feeta swimming pool is will determine if it has to provide onepoint of access either by having a sloped entrance or a pool lift, for pools over 300 linear feet there will have to be twopoints of access which can be either a sloped entry, a pool lift, transfer systems or even accessible pool stairs. Wading pools will have to have a sloped entrance, where a spa can have either an operational pool lift or transfer system. There are exceptions to the law. For more detailed information it is recommended to read the Americans with Disabilities guide.Links that pertain to just the pools and spas sectioncan be found hereand alsohere.