16 Apr

Staggering Energy Savings brought on by Variable Speed Pumps

Intelliflo Hello Wilmington NC and surrounding pool communities! We wanted to share some quick information about some of the newest and best technology in the industry, which is the wonderful world of variable speed pumps. Let’s face it, a lot of people are going through some tough times right now with the lousy economy and pool owners are not excluded. The fact is a lot of pool owners are looking for ways they can save money around the house, and many look to the pool. As the article on poolfyi.com states, "originally reported in industry publication Pool & Spa News, the Davis study concluded that ‘pool pumps are almost always the largest single electrical end-use (appliance in a home), using over three times the energy of a new refrigerator.’”1
This is a significant source of expense for the average home. According to the energy savings calculator on Pentair’s website2, an average residential pool with a single speed pump that runs 24 hours per day 12 months out of the year costs over $1600 per year to operate! However, switching to a variable speed pump would cost just over $100 PER YEAR to operate! That is over $1500 of savings per year! Switching to a variable speed is a no-brainer for pool owners, not just in Wilmington but all across the country. Give us a call (910)622.1329 today for a quote on switching your old single speed energy hog pump for a new energy saving variable speed pump today! You can also  visit our website at bullfrogpoolservice.com and visit our contact page to email us about a quote! Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment! Ecostar

Source: 1. http://poolfyi.com/page/swimming-pools-get-greener
            2. http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-pro/dealer-resources/calculators/pool-pump-calc/index.htm
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06 Apr

Automation and Iphone/Ipad Apps

iAquaLink System enables remote access and control of your pool anywhere in the world!
Greetings Wilmington NC Pool Owners! Check out this Youtube video posted by Zodiac Pool Systems detailing their new app that monitors, adjusts and controls AquaLink pool system controls. If you have a swimming pool that is tired and in need of some renovations to spruce it up for the upcoming swim season, give us a call! We install controls and automation for your pool that enable it to work seamlessly for you! With the ability to control your pool pump, heater, water features, lighting and more from your iPhone, Android or tablet device, there is no more worry while you are away! Great for vacation homes, the app enables you to monitor your pool to make sure it is operating as programmed. Give us a call today at (910)622-1329 or shoot us an email to schedule a free in-home consultation regarding automation or any other pool maintenance or service you are looking for. And as always, stay classy Wilmington!
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24 Feb

What??? Crematorium plans to heat swimming pools?

 

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Hey Wilmington pool owners! Click here for a UK Telegraph article detailing plans to use heat from a crematorium’s incinerators to heat a local swimming pool. It is a real article. NO JOKE. My favorite quote cites the leader of the House of Commons saying that he would die a happier man if he knew heat from his cremation was heating the waters of a swimming pool.

Wonder what the chemistry ramifications are? Apparently, it is safe.

Well Wilmington? Sound off! Your thoughts? Should we use “green” practices such as this to be more efficient or is this a bit too far? Let us know in the comments section below. And I would venture to guess our next blog post will be a bit cheerier! Thanks for looking!

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02 Aug

Chlorine Generated Salt Pools

 

TotallyHayward

Hey Wilmington NC pool owners! Do you own a salt pool? Do you have issues keeping your salt cell clean? Are you getting a warning indicator on your pool control system? Give us a call 910.622.1329! We are an authorized warranty service center for Hayward Goldline Control systems. We can diagnose, repair or replace the parts whether they are still under warranty or not to get your salt pool back into proper running condition. We provide on-site estimates at no charge.

 

We have the trained field technicians who know what is required to solve that pesky issue with your salt pool. Don’t put it off any longer! Give us a call or shoot us an email on our contact form page for a free estimate on any of your pool needs! Thanks for dropping by!

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16 Feb

Install a Heat Pump to Lengthen the Pool Season!

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Greetings Bullfrog Blog followers! It’s FINALLY getting warmer out there, and Wilmington NC is beginning to look and feel like spring again.

But, for most pool owners without heaters for their pool, that may mean being able to relax BY the pool, but not IN the pool. Well, here is a perfect solution to that problem. Pictured here is a heat pump. The manufacturer of this heat pump boasts an 80% lower energy use compared to a gas heater!

A heat pump takes the heat out of the surrounding air and uses that heat to warm the water in your pool without the use of gas or propane. A heat pump requires less maintenance than a gas heater, and does not need the added space and expense of a propane tank.

Give us a call at 910.722.9608 or visit our contact form for a free estimate on installing a heat pump or gas heater for your inground pool today! And thanks for stopping by Wilmington and beyond!

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08 Jun

Salt Technology: Quick Facts

aquarite-saltchlorinators 25000  Greetings! We apologize that it’s been a long while since our last blog post, but it has been a busy spring for Bullfrog Pool Service. We owe it all to our faithful clients and also those who have joined us over the past few months. Thank you! 

Chlorine generators are a great alternative to using chlorine tablets. If you have any questions about converting to a salt system, feel free to give us a call today at            (910)722-9608 or visit our contact form and shoot us a quick email.  Although salt-chlorine generators have been on the market for some time, they are becoming more and more mainstream. However, there are many misconceptions about what exactly entails having a salt-produced chlorine generator and how it works. Here are some quick facts to get you started:
How salty is the pool water?
Typically, most chlorine generators require a salt content of around 3,000 parts per million (ppm). The salinity of the ocean is typically near 35,000 ppm.  Most humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm. So, an extremely mild to no salt taste will be observed.

What are advantages of salt-produced chlorine over chlorine tablets?
Traditional chlorine tablets can help contribute to chloramines, which can cause irritation to skin and eyes and a strong chlorine odor. Also, there is no need to store and handle chlorine tablets or shock.

Can I convert my existing pool to a salt generator system?
Yes. If your pool is sanitized using chlorine tablets, once the system is installed and the salinity is in the correct range, the pool is ready to swim!

How does the generator produce chlorine from salt?

A computerized control unit converts household AC current (120 or 240 volts) to low-voltage DC current and sends it into an electrolytic cell that is mounted in a plumbing fitting. This current is passed from one electrode to the other (anode to cathode) and chlorine is generated as the salted pool water passes between the electrodes. Chlorine production varies by either adjusting the production level or by varying the hours the generator operates each day.

 

 

kid_in_pool

Will my skin feel dry after swimming? 

Actually, many clients report the water being “softer” than with chlorine tablets. They prefer the feeling of the salt water in the pool.

 

What type of pools can have salt systems?

All types. Vinyl liner, fiberglass, and gunite pools can all use salt generators.

 

Are there any chemicals other than salt needed?

Yes. Salt is used to sanitize the water but other aspects of pool chemistry still need to be observed and adjusted as necessary.
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25 Feb

Bullfrog Pool Service Submits Commercial Pool bids in Wilmington!

Commercial/Community pool in Wilmington

Attention all property management companies and Homeowner’s associations in Wilmington, NC with pools: Bullfrog Pool Service is currently submitting competitive bids for pools in Wilmington and Leland! We are currently maintaining several commercial properties in Wilmington and are excited about our commercial division growing even more! We look forward to hearing from you!

There are over 500 pools in Wilmington and within New Hanover county that are labeled as “commercial or semi-private,” so we know there are plenty of pools to maintain! Our rates are competitive and our staff is highly qualified and experienced to service your community pool consistently and with quality care.

Community pools are regulated by the County Health Department, so they are required to be visited each day in season.  Normally, a typical pool season starts in April and ends the 1st November. But, before a pool can open for swimmers for the season, it needs to be inspected by the Health Department.  That’s where we come in! Give us a call today at (910) 622-1329 or send an email using the contact page on our website and we will come out to the pool and submit a quote for maintenance and any other service needed for the upcoming pool season. We are fully insured and certified, so you can rest easy knowing you community pool is being well-cared for.  We look forward to hearing from you and once again, thanks for dropping in!

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09 Dec

Bullfrog Pool Service Services Fountains and Water Gardens too!

Wilmington NC Pool and Fountain Maintenance Service

Wilmington NC Pool and Fountain Maintenance Service

Do you own or lease a commercial property or residence that has a decorative fountain or water garden like the one in the photo?  Bullfrog Pool Service maintains, services, and will repair these features in the Wilmington area too.  We are not only partial to pools, but we also love taking care of fountains!  It can be as intricate as several features and different pumps, or as simple as one pump; call us if you need service assistance or repair at (910) 722-9608 or (910) 622-1329 today.

Even though a decorative water feature is not a pool, it functions very much like one.  Some have filtration systems and some do not.  The bottom line is whether or not they filter water, decorative fountains and water features need regular maintenance in order for the equipment to remain in efficient working manner and the water to remain clean and chemically balanced.  Even though nobody is swimming in the body of water, if allowed to get out of balance, a fountain can become unsightly and unpleasant.  It can even become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.

Do your water feature or fountain a favor and call Bullfrog Pool Service today for a free on-site estimate for service or maintenance needs.  Also, if you know anyone who has a pool that needs service, please pass us along!  We really appreciate it, and thanks for stopping by.

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20 Nov

Bullfrog Pool Service carries pool slides!

Wilmington pool slide

Wilmington pool slide

Check out this beautiful backyard pool complete with slide!  If you have a pool in Wilmington, NC and would like to add something extra for even more fun, give us a call at (910)622-1329.  We carry several different models and styles of pool slides.  We can have it ordered and installed within a few days.  Check out our website for more information about us at http://www.bullfrogpoolservice.com.  Feel free to leave a comment and thanks for stopping by!

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28 Oct

Bullfrog is on Facebook and Twitter!

Bullfrog Pool Service Facebook Fan Page

Bullfrog Pool Service FB Page

Bullfrog Pool Service Twitter Page

Bullfrog Pool Service Twitter Page

Bullfrog Pool Service is getting on the bandwagon and now has accounts on Facebook and Twitter!  You don’t have to live in the Wilmington, NC area to keep up with us!  If you have an account for either website, you can follow our Facebook posts and our Twitter tweets!

Just click on the links above to be taken to our pages to sign up.  Keep watch, we will offer specials and deals periodically through these pages, so stay tuned and you might win something!

If you live in the Wilmington, NC area and have a pool or know someone who owns a pool, send them our way if you like what you see!  Call us today at (910) 622-1329 or (910) 722-9608!  We provide consistent and quality service, maintenance, and repair for commercial and residential pools in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas!  Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think about us!  Thanks for stopping by!

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