www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
worldNews AUG 2010 SPN Cleaners so energy effiCient you get a rebate
One California utility provider has agreed that robotic automatic pool cleaners are efficient enough to warrant a power
rebate for
consumers. The rebate for robotic cleaners isn’t guaranteed, though it’s recommended. “In addition, before moving
forward with a rebate from the provider, Portland General Electric has to assess demand in the market
and work with
manufacturers to address some wear problems that the utility has found with this category of cleaner in the California market,” said spokeswoman Oksana Harris. “Several manufacturers have been
making improvements to their robotic cleaner lines to address these and other customer concerns,” Harris said. “Thus far, enhancements include anti-kink cords, cleaners with
fewer belts, some propelled more by jets, and a more modular design for easier, local repair.” The next step is for PG&E staff
to submit supporting documents in favour of the rebate. It is not known when the utility will make a final decision. PG&E embarked on a study last
year to determine the efficiency of 18 automatic pool cleaners in a variety of categories. Testing was set up to explore how many watt hours of energy each cleaner used for every square foot of floor covered. “What we didn’t expect to find is
that the root cause of the relatively lower efficiency of hydraulic cleaners was the pumping system and the way the water is supplied, not the cleaner head itself,” said Gary Fernstrom, an employee at PG&E. The robotic cleaners were found
to use the least energy because of their built-in dedicated pumps. “If there’s a difference in the apparent efficiency of
these
products, it isn’t the cleaners’ fault, but the way they are powered by the pump and the water system that provides the water to them. In my opinion, all the products are made well. It’s just the way water works,” Fernstrom said. The study concluded that the
efficiency of hydraulically operated cleaners could be improved with the installation of a valve to separate the cleaning and filtration functions, so that each can be handled separately on the lowest speed possible by a variable-speed pump. The study went on to state that booster-pump- operated cleaners could be improved by using smaller, more efficient pumps.
AUSTRALIA OPTS FOR POOL PUMP EFFICIENCY LABELLING
Australia has started a swimming pool pump efficiency labelling which is likely to become mandatory in October 2011. This programme is aimed at regulating the sale of pool pumps to ensure that pumps meeting minimum energy-efficient standards are sold; and to encourage the purchase of the most environment-friendly models. The
Government
Australian has
Federal identified
swimming pool pumps as major users of household energy, and as such they are being targeted for energy efficiency measures by the Australian and New Zealand energy efficiency
Suppliers of pool pumps can now label their products with the familiar red and yellow energy rating label. In homes with pools, the pool
pump is the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases, unless there is an electric hot water heater present. It uses more electricity than the combined electricity consumption of a clothes dryer, clothes washer and dishwasher. The ultimate aim of
this regulatory agencies.
programme is to ensure that only efficient pumps are put on the market, and that pumps for sale are labelled with a star rating – similar to the country’s star ratings used for white goods – so that consumers are
aware of the more efficient pumps. The standard label will have six
stars, but pumps deemed “super efficient” will have a slightly different label going up to 10 stars. This standard defines the scope of
swimming pool pumps targeted by the voluntary scheme. All single- phase pump-units that are capable of a flow rate of 120l/min or greater and input power of 2.5kW or less will be affected. The voluntary programme will also
assist suppliers in transitioning to mandatory minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and labelling, expected to be launched in October 2011.
108ft deep pool reopens for divers and swimmers
The world’s deepest swimming pool has just reopened. Nemo 33 is a recreational diving centre in Brussels which attracts divers and swimmers from all over Europe. The pool consists of a submerged structure with flat platforms at various depth levels. The pool has two large flat-
bottomed areas at depth levels of 5m (16ft) and 10m (32ft), and a large circular pit descending to a depth of 33m (108ft). It is filled with 2,500,000
litres of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water maintained at 30°C (86°F) and contains several simulated underwater caves at the 10m depth level. There are numerous underwater
windows that allow outside visitors to look into the pools at various depths. The complex was designed by Belgian diving expert John Beernaerts as a multi-purpose diving instruction, recreational and film production facility.
87 IN BRIEF
us sees danger in pool shop ChemiCals thefts A US government campaign to stop terrorists accessing potentially dangerous chemicals has targeted chemical suppliers and included swimming pool retailers in its chemical warnings. Chemicals have been used in
terrorist attacks throughout the world, and these chemicals are commonly available in domestic, agricultural, veterinary, industrial and beauty products. In many cases, terrorists acquire chemicals from the same locations as the general public. The National Industry
Reference Group on Chemical Security put together a media campaign including consumer print, poster and online ads with the slogan “If You Suspect It Report It”. Additionally, they’ve
produced some brochures for chemical retailers including pool shops, asking them to maintain vigilance in ‘Knowing Your Customer’. They focus on being able to
identify whether a customer’s purchase of a chemical product is legitimate.
us launChes pool safety Campaign The United States’ Consumer Product Safety Commission promotional campaign to support pool and spa safety has been launched for the summer. The ‘Pool Safely: simple steps save lives’ campaign is part of the efforts to carry out the requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act which requires a national public education campaign to raise public awareness, support industry compliance and improve safety at pools and spas.
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