Water Pumps

Pool Supplies – Keeping Your Pool Water Sparkling and Healthy

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 07:59:14 +0000

Swimming pools are the perfect distraction on a hot summer day, but most people rarely think of the intricate processes that keep them clean. A pool without a proper sanitation system is unsafe for human enjoyment; pumps and filters are necessary for maintaining bacteria levels in the water.

An unclean pool can house numerous micro-organisms from infected swimmers and, left untreated, can spread hazardous diseases. Swimming in contaminated pools can cause diarrhea/Giardia, eye and skin infections and even respiratory problems if the water is swallowed.

To most of us, a pool is just a big hole in the ground filled with water-but they rely on pool accessories like water pumps, which utilize complex processes to keep water clean. During the pumping process, an electric motor runs an impeller which draws the water from the drains and through a strainer-which removes large debris from the water. Next, the pump moves the water through a filter before returning it to the pool. State law requires that all the water must be processed within a amount of certain time-usually between 30 minutes and 6 hours, depending on the size of the pool. To illustrate the vital role that pumps have in a pool system, imagine a typical apartment-size pool: 167,000 must be treated (pumped, filtered, returned) every six hours to keep the water sanitary!

Filters are also important pool accessories because they catch microscopic debris that passes through the strainer. There are three types of filters: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters.

Sand filters are the most common because they are the most affordable. In these filters, water passes through tanks made of concrete or fiberglass which contain a layer of special grade sand. Gravity pulls the water through the tanks and the sand layer collect small debris before the water is returned to the pool. However, dirt and debris collect and build up over time-thus slowing the flow of water in the pump. When a custodian discerns that there is a blockage, they can reverse the flow of water (backwash) and redirect it into the sewer.

A diatomaceous earth filter is comprised of powder made from fossilized remains of sea organisms. When coated on a grid, these organisms act as little sieves that are efficient at catching microscopic particles. To recharge these filters, owners just pour more DE powder into the skimmers.

Cartridge filters use thin paper or cloth as a medium. These filters need to be replaced every 8 years or so.

Cleaning chemicals (like chlorine) are important pool accessories, but it’s important to consult a professional on how much a pool needs. An overabundance of chemicals can be irritating to swimmers’ skin and eyes.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and outdoor decorating/landscaping. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on pools, please visit Pool Supplies, purveyor of high quality pool supplies.

Obama’s Stimulus Package and Solar and High Efficiency Hot Water Heaters

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:02:09 +0000

Tax credits for solar and high efficiency hot water heaters were part of President Obama’s economic stimulus package. The law brought old tax credits that expired in 2007 back into the effect (like those for energy efficient home improvements) and covers more areas. Home improvements must be made during the 2009 school year and must be made to the primary residence.

There is a 30% credit for the expense of installing a solar heater for use in your home that had no maximum on the total amount. Solar hot heaters for a swimming pool or for a hot tub are eligible for a tax credit. Old laws had a maximum of $2,000 or $4,000 for solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps or wind energy projects. These credits are available until 2016 and cover both labor and material expenses.

Included in this stimulus package is a credit for high efficiency hot water heaters but in this case there is a cap. Gas or electric heaters, such as the tankless varieties, may be eligible for a $1,500 tax credit if they have at least a .82 Energy Factor (EF) rating or have a 90% thermal efficiency. The tax credit depends on what other energy-efficient home improvements you are claiming.

The difference in tax credits between solar and high efficient hot water heaters indicates the importance the Obama administration places on encouraging Americans to use a renewable source of energy. Installing an All Energy Star solar hot water heaters will get you a tax credit. This summer we are going to install a solar hot water heater in our home to work along side our tankless heater.

For tips and facts about how you can benefit from Obama’s Home Stimulus Plan – or to find out if you qualify, visit our no nonsense home stimulus guide: http://ObamasStimulusPackage.net

When Do You Need a Waterbed Pump?

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:04:33 +0000

Waterbeds are great. In winter they can keep you warm, in summer the water can have a cooling effect. A Waterbed can help lower your blood pressure and improve circulation, can reduce eczema, allergies and asthma and for the bed-ridden can reduce the development of bed sores. Yet if you don’t properly maintain your water bed you can quickly run into problems. If you don’t drain the water from the bed from time to time, you can expect algae to grow within the water in the bed, it will start excreting foul-smelling odor over time if left unattended. How gross is that! At this point you need a waterbed pump.

There are a several types of waterbed pump available, the most effective is the electric pump. It can be such a handy tool as it not only drains water beds but other liquid-filled items as well such as hot tubs, boats, aquariums, spas, bird baths, and fountains, to name a few. It is usually characterized as a self-priming water pump. A highly effective waterbed pump can pump up to a maximum of 360 gallons of water every hour. It may also include a puddle scoop attached to the pump so it can also drain water found in flat surfaces, such as the safety liner of the water bed. You may think that a pump is a very bulky waterbed accessory. It is not. In fact modern pumps are often lightweight and portable, especially when equipped with a strong stainless steel handle. Moreover, it can work with effortless priming. It may not be advisable to use with liquids other then water.

Waterbed pumps can also be useful when you’re moving the bed to a different room, position or even a new house. It is quite risky to try to move a bed filled with heavy water, right? So get a pump! Fortunately, there are a number of places you can find a suitable pump. You can look to purchase a pump online or locally. You may be able to rent a pump for a certain number of hours (or days) for a certain fee from tool or equipment hirer in your local area. Or you may find that a local pool contractor/cleaner/maintainer can provide a service for you.

If you buy your own waterbed pump, or hire a pump to change your water for hygiene reasons or just to move the bed, you must take some basic precautions when using the pump. First, to avoid any untoward accident, unplug the water heater and remove the seal and cap from the mattress. You should also remove the extra air circulating in the mattress by sliding your forearm from bed’s head to the fill hole to evacuate excess air. Then connect a special reinforced hose, which prevents the mattress from collapsing during suction. A water hose is then connected to the drain or pump outlet and start draining.

It usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes to complete this process with a standard double bed, yet all throughout the operation you must be on site so you can monitor progress and quickly stop the operation if necessary. When you hear the pump changing sounds or there’s no more water flowing, stop draining, and immediately re-turn the cap and seal to maintain vacuum.

Find out more about useful accessories and waterbed conditioner at http://aboutwaterbeds.com

Lennox Heat Pumps Are an Alternate Way to Heat Your Home

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:06:23 +0000

The name Lennox is synonymous with heating and cooling equipment. Lennox heat pumps are one of their most popular products. The company sells units to residential and commercial customers. Besides heat pumps, they also sell furnaces and air conditioners. When people look for economical ways to heat and cool their home they want a name they can rely on. There are quite a few reliable companies out there. If you do your homework and you should be able to find a product that works as described.

We will focus this article on Lennox heat pumps and the Lennox Company. Back in 1895, Dave Lennox developed his first furnace. Only nine years later, he sold the company and it was re-named the Lennox Furnace Company. It stayed that way until 1955, when it was re-named to Lennox Industries. They have sales offices all across North America.

Lennox heat pumps provide homeowners with a cost saving method in which to heat or cool the home. The pump transfers heat between the inside and the outside of your home. This allows it to heat the home in the winter and cool it in the summer. An example of one of their newer units is the PowerSaverT heat pump. It operates at a low speed when the weather is mild and when the temperatures are extreme it will operate at a higher speed. The two-speed efficiency will improve the air filtration and protects the machines compressor from wearing out due to the frequent stopping and starting.

Many experts believe that a geothermal heat pump is the best means in which to heat or cool your home. This type of pump requires only a small amount of electricity to run. This, it is good for the environment because it reduces the reliance on electrical power plants. They are also considered the quietest pump on the market.

In conclusion, when choosing a efficient and cost effective way to heat or cool your home, why not look into Lennox heat pumps. The more information you have about different methods of heating and cooling your home, the more informed you would be to make a good sound decision.

We provide information for the consumer on heat pump prices along with information on various models such as Lennox heat pumps, Trane heat pumps and Carrier heat pumps.
By D.Karlson

Oase Pond Pumps – Are They the Answer to Your External Pond Pumps Needs?

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:09:10 +0000

Water features give off such a calm and relaxing atmosphere that lures us to want to sit and take in their beauty for hours. But if you are going to the time and expense to install one, or even have it done, then you want to make sure that you incorporate the best quality equipment to get the job done. Oase pond pumps will ensure that you have that quality at your disposal.

When you first set out to have a pond built you really need to know what you want. Since the pump is the very heart of the system it is vitally important that you pick the right size with the right features. One of the main problems with picking a pump is that most of them are not designed for continuous use in a pond. They are designed to be worked intermittently and therefore only last a fraction of the time length that is required for a water feature. This manufacturer makes sure that their pumps can stand up to the demands of ponds and give a long life of use.

Another key point is what function will the pump serve? Is it more for function as in circulating or is it going to operate a water feature such as a fountain or sprayer? Is there a waterfall involved? If so, the size has to be calculated by taking into account the amount of water for a feature, the size of the waterfall, etc. Even the surface of the rock used will lend to the water usage. If all of this is not considered, your pump will not be sized properly and it will burn up.

You also much take into account the size of the pond. To function adequately, the total volume of water should be cycled completely once every hour. So, for example, if you have a 2000 gallon pond then you will need a minimum 2000 GPH (gallon per hour) pump. Oase pond pumps can handle any configuration you have and still get the job done right and bring out the beauty of your water feature. There is a model for any job you need help with.

Find out more about Oase Pond Pumps? Click now for the best deals and pricing on http://externalpondpumps.com.

DuroMax XP650WP 3-Inch Intake 7 HP OHV 4-Cycle 220-Gallon-Per-Minute Gas-Powered Portable Water Pump (CARB Compliant)