Have you been considering which type of swimming pool would be best without taking over all your home or garden?
Endless Pools offer a versatile range of both swimming pools and swimspas designed for smaller spaced installations, either indoors or outdoors.
From Basements to Back Gardens – Choose Your Dream Endless Pool!
The Endless Pool range of innovative feature-packed pools are designed to suit all manner of spaces and requirements.
Featuring industry-leading Swim Current Generators that are ideal for a wide range of low-impact water-based workouts, read on to discover some of the unique benefits of an Endless Pool...
Overcome Tricky Site Access
Perfect for the more challenging site access, modular Endless Pool are delivered in sections then installed by fully trained authorised engineers on site - the ideal solution where access is difficult and could otherwise prove an issue.
Design Your Perfect Endless Pool
With an Endless Pool, you not only have the choice whether to install indoors or outdoors, an Endless Pool can also be installed above-ground or in-ground - a truly versatile pool that will suit your requirements and your home to perfection.
Get a great visual idea on what an Endless Pool would look like in your home by trying out the Vision AR App by Endless Pools - the app allows you to visualise exactly what each option will look like in your own home:
You can aslo try before you buy with our trial swim sessions available in both the Performance Endless Pool and the E2000 Aquatic Fitness System – call us to book on 02920 705059 or email sales@allswimltd.com.
More Economical to Run
The ingenious design of an Endless Pool has the added bonus of being cheaper to run and to maintain than a standard swimming pool.
This is because there is a smaller volume of water to both heat and to treat with chemicals - saving you time and money - a win-win situation!
But what an Endless Pool may lack in size, rest assured it more than delivers in terms of versatility, style and functionality. Whether you're a serious swimmer, want a family fun pool or a relaxation hub at home, an Endless Pool ticks all these boxes and more.
Your Home-Based Aquatic Fitness Centre
While originally designed for swimming (and a preferred choice of many professional swimmers/triathletes), there is so much more you can do in your Endless Pool!
Low-impact walking/running on the optional underwater treadmill will build stamina, cardiovascular fitness and aid recovery from illness or injury - without putting unwanted stress on your joints.
Kids will also love playing or riding their inflatables in the pool too - an Endless Pool leads to Endless Fitness and Fun...
The Compact Pool for the Compact Garden
You no longer need let a lack of space hinder your home swimming pool
dreams. The Endless Pool range is designed to suit even the most compact installations!
Once delivered to site (made simple thanks to the unique modular design) your Endless Pool is then fully installed by fully trained professional engineers on site - ready for you to start enjoying in a fraction of the time a traditional pool installation takes!
For more information on Endless Pool options, or to arrange a trial swim in our Cardiff showroomon contact us on 02920 705059 or email sales@allswimltd.com,
All Swim only supply Endless Pools in the South Wales area.
Finding ways to minimise and reduce the running costs of your swimming pool are always welcomed – particularly with the current energy costs we are faced with. With this in mind, we have put together a selection of recommended products below, all designed to save you money, time and energy in running and maintaining your pool.
Instant Chlorine Stabiliser
Drastically reduce chlorine loss to sunlight by adding Blue Horizons Instant Chlorine Stabiliser to your outdoor swimming pool during the season.
The unique easy-pour formula makes light work of adding stabiliser (no more time-consuming stirring to pre-dissolve like traditional granular stabilisers) and it gets to work instantly, protecting your chlorine* against UV burn off.
Add to the pool on first fill, on emptying & refilling, after backwashing or heavy rainfall for maximum benefits.
*Use with Shock Chlorine Granules, Unstabilised Chlorine and Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine).
Zodiac HPO Heat Pumps
Zodiac HPO Heat Pumps feature full inverter technology, making them both silent and economical to run.
Easy to install, Zodiac HPO Heat Pumps are highly efficient, with around 80% of the energy used to heat your pool coming from the air.
Zodiac HPO Heat Pumps feature intelligent heating regulation, a Power Mode Selection and full inverter technology plus long-lasting patented titanium heat exchangers. With 6 models from 6kW to 17.7kW* the HPO Heat Pump range is suitable for most pools, up to 145m³ for either heating or cooling.
Both the compressor and fan operate on a 10 speed-range, guaranteeing an adjusted energy consumption and noise level, according to the exact need of power.
Zodiac HPO Heat Pumps feature 3 modes for ultra efficient operation:
The COP or coefficient of performance is the ratio between the power supplied to the water in the pool and the electricity consumption of the heat pump. For example, a COP of 5 means that for 1 kWh consumed on the electricity meter, the heat pump supplies 5 times more energy to the water in the pool (that's 5 kWh). So, the higher the COP, the more efficient and economical the system.
Complete with 3 year warranty.
PoolSolar / Solar Pods
Once you've purchased your solar heating system every Kilowatt of heat produced for your swimming pool is totally free - a sound investment indeed!
PoolSolar utilises the suns' rays to heat your pool water for free. Filtered pool water passes through strips of EPDM* (Ehtyleen Propyleen-Diene_Monomer) PVC Solar Matting and is then heated via the sun's rays. The matting is pre-fitted to P.V.C manifolds that are connected to each other, then the manifolds are plumbed directly to the filtration plant.
As a guide, you need 50% of the pool surface area in solar matting. PoolSolar comes in either 4m² or 5m² size kits, which can be connected together if necessary for the pool size (providing there is sufficient space for installation). A capable DIY enthusiast should be easily able to install Poolsolar, which is supplied in a kit box complete with all the necessary components for you to install a solar collector. Please note pool plumbing is not included and, for roof installations, support angles and adhesive will also be required.
For smaller pools, the Solar Pods and Solar Pod Plus are a great choice of solar heating system for your above ground or in-ground pool. One Solar Pod kit is ideal for pools with a water volume of up to 4,500 litres and for larger pools you can simply install additional Solar Pods. The Solar Pod also has a compact size of 58cm x 58cm so it won't take up much space at all. The semi-spherical shape of Solar Pods enable them to always collect the sun’s rays, without having to specify a pre-determined orientation or inclination.
Solar Pods can either be used as a top up for your existing pool heater or as the sole form of heating. Either way, Solar Pods are an economical & environmentally friendly method of heating your pool.
Geobubble
Reduce your pool water heating costs by up to 70% simply by adding a GeoBubble Solar Pool Cover!
Adding a GeoBubble cover will eliminate up to 98% of water evaporation (the main cause of heat loss from a pool) while adding a layer of insulation providing further heat retention. The GeoBubble Solar Cover range includes a variety of designs to suit specific needs – from algae prevention with the EnergyGuard Cover to superior heat retention with the new RaeGuard option.
Additional benefits of adding a GeoBubble Solar Pool Cover include:
* Eliminate water evaporation by 98% - the leading cause of heat loss from a pool.
* Gain FREE solar heating, as much as +7°C.
* Further retain the heat by providing a layer of insulation.
* A reduction in debris entering the pool (a reduction in filtration demand will result in less frequent backwashing, and also a reduction in chemical consumption).
* Reduction in the breakdown of chlorine by sunlight – further reducing chemical usage.
* Save money on energy and chemical bills.
* Reduction in energy consumption due to a lower heating demand.
For advice on which GeoBubble cover best suits your requirements check out our previous blog post https://www.allswimltd.com/how-to-reduce-the-heating-costs-of-your-pool
Heatsavr
Heatsavr Liquid Pool Cover greatly reduces heat loss and evaporation from your exposed pool surface and replaces the need for conventional pool covers, making it ideal for non-standard shaped pools.
Heatsavr is a mixture of carefully chosen ingredients which are lighter than water and that float to the water surface automatically. The particles of the liquid are attracted to each other, so that they always try to form a perfect very thin layer over the entire pool surface. They are individually so small that they are 500 times smaller than the spaces in a super high quality filter.
Unlike a conventional pool cover which has to be removed from the pool for swimming, Heatsavr breaks apart whenever the water is sufficiently disturbed and reforms whenever the water becomes calm again. Heatsavr adjusts perfectly to the changing activity levels in the pool throughout the day. Heatsavr is a variable and flexible cover that automatically works whenever and wherever the pool surface is calm, making it the perfect solution for pools where a traditional cover would be difficult or impossible to install.
Glass Pearls
Switching to Waterco Glass Pearls filter media will help you save water and time - a win win in our book!
A new generation of filter media, Waterco Glass Pearls has a unique combination of features that reduces the need to backwash your pool (using 20% less water than filter sand). The spherical shape and small yet effective size of Waterco Glass Pearls allow a fast set up and a more in depth filtration than other types of filter media, extending the period of time between backwashing - saving you precious time in the process.
In addition to saving water and time, Waterco Glass Pearls are a Climate Care Certified Product - the benchmark in sustainability for pools and spas (an initiative of the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia Ltd).
So, if you are a swimming pool owner looking to save water, energy and your time this season, it's definitely worth consider switching to Waterco Glass Pearls.
Certikin iSaver Pool Pump Inverter
The Certikin iSaver Pool Pump Inverter features a timer which allows up to 4 different speed programmes to be set each day; transforming a standard single phase pump into a variable speed pump!
The Certikin iSaver Pool Pump Inverter can save you up to 80% on pool pump running costs (on low speed)!
Features:
Multicyclone
The Waterco MultiCyclone is a pre-filtration device that can help you save up to 7,000 litres of water a year in an average pool and reduce filter maintenance.
An average sand filter requires approximately 4,000 to 8,000 litres of water a year to maintain it and also needs backwashing and rinsing regularly. If you backwash every month, your pool filter requires approximately 8,400 litres of water a year, which is drastically reduced with the inclusion of a MultiCyclone.
The addition of a MultiCyclone:
The MultiCyclone is ideal as a pre-filter to extend the life of your existing filter.
Backwash Water Saver
The Backwash Water Saver catches the dirt inside the sand filter in a 50ft² filter cartridge, which allows the water that would normally be wasted when backwashing to be redirected back into the pool - saving water in the process.
Pre-fitted with 2 x 1.5" hose tails and supplied with a 3m length of flexible hose which connects to your sand filter using the jubilee clips also supplied. The water is then directed back into the pool via your back wash hose.
The filter cartridge should be cleaned between backwashes with a filter cartridge cleaning product and the filter element replaced every 6 - 8 cycles.
Please Note: The Backwash Water Saver is recommended for use as a temporary measure during water shortages or restricted supply times - standard backwashing should be resumed once conditions allow (to introduce fresh water back into the pool).
As always, if you want to discuss any aspect of maintaining your swimming pool feel free to contact us on 02920 705059.
Compared to gas and electric swimming pool heaters, a swimming pool heat pump uses a fraction of the energy to generate the same amount of heat.
Unlike solar heating, heat pumps work without any reliance on the sun, as they work by taking the latent heat within the air, upgrading it substantially then transferring the heat into the pool water.
Swimming pool heat pumps work using refrigeration technology, with an in-built heat exchanger that transfers the heat captured from the air into the swimming pool water.
How Do I Know Which Size Heat Pump I Need?
To correctly size a heat pump for your pool, you firstly need to identify the surface area of the pool, the pool water temperature you want to achieve and what period of time during the year you intend to swim.
The UK outdoor swimming season is typically classed as May to September (also referred to as Summer Season) while April to October is classed as Extended Season, which the Waterco range of heat pumps are ideal for. Waterco offer the Ultra Inverter Top Mount Heat Pump and the Aquaflow XL Inverter Side Mount Heat Pump both of which have the flexibility to vary the speed of the fan motor and compressor to maintain a constant temperature, allowing them to use less energy than traditional heat pumps.
If you wish to swim for a longer period of time than this, Zodiac HPO All Year Round Heat Pumps will achieve a water temperature of 28°C all year round as long as the air temperature is not below -2°C. (Assuming a cover is in situ whenever the pool is not in use and that there are no groundwater problems). Featuring intelligent heating regulation, power mode selection, full inverter technology and a long-lasting patented titanium heat exchanger, Zodiac HPO Heat Pumps are both silent and economical to run.
Note: If you do want water temperatures higher than this or want to have a guaranteed water temperature all year round please contact us for heater sizing - these parameters can be achieved but not with the heat pump sizing in the chart above.
Using our handy Guide To Heating Your Pool Chart, find your swimming pool size column (or the closest size up if not exact) then the required swimming season to find the recommended model of heat pump in each of the ranges.
Are Pool Heat Pumps Economical to Run?
Pool heat pumps are by far the most economical method of heating a pool compared to other options such as Gas or Oil Boilers and Electric Heaters.
An example* of running costs based on a 24' x 12' pool that is used May to September (and covered for 20 hours per day with a good quality heat retention cover), here are the typical cost differences:
Heat Pump = £514
Natural Gas Boiler = £798
Oil Boiler = £864
LPG = £1,186
Electric = £2,025
* Please note heating costs will vary dependent on energy costs and environmental conditions, these prices are meant as a guide only. If you would like indicitive running costs for your pool project please contact us with pool size, heater requirement and your current energy costs. As energy costs fluctuate as will estimated running costs and this example is therefore meant as a guide only.
Does a Pool Heat Pump Stay On Permanently?
Yes - but the heater is thermostatically controlled, so it will only come on when there is a demand for heating. On first set up, the heat pump stays on 24 hours a day until the pool water reaches the set temperature, then only turns on or off when it needs to in order to maintain the temperature. Leaving the heat pump on is more economical than turning it on and off as more energy is consumed heating the water up when it has been allowed to drop beneath the required temperature than to maintain it.
Can I Run a Heat Pump On a Timer Clock?
We would not recommend this, as it takes less energy to keep the pool water at the set temperature than allow it to drop then bring it back up.
Should I Run the Heat Pump Overnight on Economy Tariff?
This is not recommended because the warmer the outside air, the more efficiently the heat pump operates. The heat pump will therefore transfer more heat to the pool water during daytime hours than overnight when the outside air temperature is lower.
Are Heat Pumps Suitable for Above Ground Pools?
Above Ground Swimming Pools have traditionally been heated by electric heaters which are costly to run. The PoolStyle Mini Heat Pump has specifically been created to suit small above ground pools up to 35m³ with 2 sizes available. We highly recommend the PoolStyle Mini Heat Pump as an economical pool heater option for above ground pools.
Looking for further advice? If you want to talk through the most suitable heat pump for your pool, contact us on 02920 705059 or email us on sales@allswimltd.com.
As energy prices continue to surge, so do the costs associated with running and maintaining a pool. Discerning pool owners are now, more than 
ever, looking for the best ways to keep costs from spiralling.
Adding a solar cover to your pool is potentially the most simple, yet cost effective way to significantly cut pool running costs - by merely preventing evaporation, you can reduce heat loss from your pool by around 70%.
By controlling heat loss due to evaporation alone, you will be well on your way to saving big money on your running costs.
Benefits Of A Solar Pool Cover
So you’ve decided to cover your pool, but with many choices how do you know which cover is right for you? Once you have decided to cover your pool you will reduce running costs, energy and chemical consumption and time maintaining your pool. Which cover you choose however, will determine the value for money you get from your cover.
Things to consider
What Savings Are Most Important To You?
New 500 Micron Raeguard™ – HEAT RETENTION
RaeGuard™ is the latest addition to the high-performance GeoBubble™ Guard product range, designed specifically as a heat retention cover to minimise heat losses through its tailored reflective properties. Identifiable immediately from its silver top layer and white bubble.
Note: Whilst Raeguard maximises heat retention, it offers little in the way of solar gains. As such, All Swim would recommend the use of this cover on heated pools only.
500 Micron Sol+ Guard™ – SOLAR GAIN
For those pools where maximising temperature using free heat from the sun is the number one priority. Sol+Guard™ has been optimised for solar gains, whilst also reducing heat loss through evaporation control and providing insulation.
500 Micron EnergyGuard™ – HYBRID
The hybrid EnergyGuard™ cover maximises solar gains whilst also inhibiting algae growth through its innovative and patented light filtering technology.
EnergyGuard™ offers the best balance between free solar heating and reducing the chemical consumption of a pool.
For advice on which Swimming Pool Cover best suits your needs, or on reducing the running costs of your pool, give us a call on 02920 705059 or email sales@allswimltd.com.
Naturally, price is a key factor of consideration when buying a hot tub. Aside from the initial cost of the physical spa, the running costs once you have the hot tub are equally as important, and with the rise of energy costs we thought it worth going into some detail on how to keep your hot tub running costs to a minimum.
What are the main costs involved in running a hot tub?
The running costs will depend on factors including:
Electricit
Hot Tubs have a variety of power supply requirements, based on the number of and size of the pump/s and the heater kW size and additional features such as lighting and music systems. Bigger spas will typically require more power and the amount of time the jets are on for will also have an impact. Your electricity tariff will also factor into how much you will be paying.
When choosing your hot tub, it is advisable to consider the following:
Heat can also escape via the base of the spa, so a reinforced and insulated base pan is beneficial to minimising heat loss. Using a well-fitting, insulated cover when the spa is not in use will also help keep the water hot and ready for use while preventing heat loss through water-surface evaporation.
Typical electricity costs for running an energy-efficient hot tub on current energy tariffs (approx. 12-13p per kWh) are around £1.00 per day, which is based on using the spa for an hour at a time and keeping the hot tub covered when not being used.
Chemicals and Maintenance
The amount of chemicals needed to maintain clear and safe spa water depends on the volume of water, how often the hot tub is used and how well maintained the filter cartridge is.
It is more difficult to restore water clarity if the water becomes cloudy, so it is certainly good practice to stay on top of regularly testing and balancing the water to avoid the need for additional products,
Some tips to help minimise the amount of chemicals needed include:
Routine and Timing
Establish a routine from the start of testing the water with test strips and familiarising yourself with
the sanitiser, pH and hardness levels. This will help you understand how often you need to adjust the water balance based on your usage.
The best time to add your water sanitiser (typically chlorine or bromine) is once everyone leaves the hot tub – the sanitiser then gets straight to work killing off bacteria and cleansing the water, as opposed to putting the cover on and sanitising the next day when bacteria will have had hours to breed.
For more on looking after a hot tub have a read through our previous article:
https://www.allswimltd.com/how-to-look-after-your-hot-tub
Keeping the spa water balanced not only reduces the need for additional products, it also protects your hot tub equipment from damage caused by acidic water or scale build up, ensuring your hot tub will last longer without replacing any parts or paying for a spa engineer to service the tub.
Depending on which chemical products you are using, you can expect the typical costs to be in the region of £250 – £350 per year.
As retailers with 50 years’ experience, All Swim are committed to supplying hot tubs from reputable manufacturers who focus strongly on building spas with high quality components backed by good warranties.
Fantasy Spas
Featuring an internal thermostat, energy efficient full foam insulation and locking thermal cover, Fantasy Spas offer low monthly operating costs and a variety of features at an affordable price point.
https://www.allswimltd.com/fantasy-spas-hot-tubs
Cove Spas
Made by Nordic Products in the USA, Cove Spas are made from thermoformed High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) in a matte finish – this is the most indestructible type shell material, so is built to last the duration of the 10 year warranty.
WeekEnd Spas
A ‘Reflective Thermal Barrier’ RTB insulation inside the cabinet and built into the spa cover, plus an insulated ABS Polymer Floor Pan ensure these hot tubs retain the heat efficiently – minimising your operating costs.
Caldera Spas
Made by leading US manufacturer Watkins Wellness, Caldera Spas conform to the strict guidelines set by the California Energy Commission.
Featuring their own unique FiberCor insulation, which is four times denser than standard insulation foam, Caldera Spas provide a superior level of heat retention.
The Paradise and Utopia Series spas are also fitted with the EnergyPro System, including a circulation pump that operates at very low wattage – 80% of the energy used to operate the pump is transferred back into the water as heat!
