Large swimming pools require larger efforts in management and maintenance. Hotel pools and other commercial pools that serve guests can’t afford downtime or potential liability hazards.
If you are charged with the care and management of a large commercial pool, here’s some tips for better commercial and hotel pool management.
1. Reduce Chemical Cost
The use of a controller, to control the Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) is highly recommended to reduce sanitizer expense. In lieu of an expensive controller to automatically shock the pool and control pH, a system of hourly water testing and monitoring with a quality commercial pool test kit, will help you reduce chlorine cost by keeping pH at optimum levels, and accurately shocking to prevent chloramine build-up.
Maintaining a level of Cyanuric Acid in your outdoor commercial pool will extend your chlorine budget as well. CYA, also known as pool stabilizer or conditioner, acts as a parasol for your chlorine molecules, protecting them from the sun’s UV rays.
If you wish to reduce chlorine cost even more, many hotel / motel pools and small YMCA pools use Nature2 technology. Nature2 adds copper and silver ions to the water, and purifies the water – resulting in potentially reducing your chlorine use by up to 75%.
2. Reduce Energy Costs
Pool pumps consume a large amount of energy, and some commercial pools are over-filtered, or needlessly set to run 24 hours per day. It is probable that your county or city inspectors require a certain turnover rate, measured in gallons per minute -and- that they require a certain number of turnovers per day, beyond that you may be able to save some money by installing a time clock to reduce the run time of the pool pumps.
If your commercial or hotel pool is located in energy conscious states like Florida, California and Arizona, you may budget for a variable speed or two speed pump when it comes time for a replacement. Variable speed pumps can save hotels and club pools hundreds per year in electrical cost. These energy misers “dial-in” the correct amount of amperage draw, to keep the water clear, for the least possible electrical cost.
LED pool lights last nearly forever, and consume far less energy than a 500 watt incandescent pool light bulb. Plus, you can add a boost to your coolness factor with dense, saturated colors throughout the pool or spa. Hayward ColorLogic lamps are designed for the commercial pool environment, where pool lights may be used daily.
3. Reduce Staffing Costs
Next to chlorine, staffing a commercial pool with lifeguards and operators can be the largest budget line item. Commercial pools need to meet certain guidelines for pool safety and guest comfort, but many tasks associated with cleaning and maintaining the pool can be automated, to reduce the number of staff hours needed.
Automatic pool cleaners can be placed in the pool at night to reduce or eliminate the need for staff to arrive early to clean the pool before guests line up at the door. Whether pressure (pump) powered, or robotic, hotel/motel pools with a few trees around the pool can be kept clean with quick payback over a year’s time.
Is your pool staff spending countless hours scrubbing vinyl strapped outdoor pool chairs? Stains on these vinyl straps seem to appear overnight and are very difficult to remove. Instead, use our resin pool furniture, made of a lightweight, stain resistant resin. Looks great; low maintenance and low cost pool lounge chairs.
So there you have it – some tips for better commercial pool management. Pool Facility management is not without challenges, I hope these small tips make your job easier, while keeping your guests happy and wet.
