Refurbishment continues to dominate the attention of the home swimming pool sector with owners eager to upgrade for greater efficiency and sustainability as well as all-round enjoyment. Typically, priorities include reducing running costs, enhancing sustainability, adding new features and delivering a more modern design. By combining innovative products and industry know-how, leading suppliers help their trade partners unlock opportunities in the refurbishment market. Plastica encourages its trade customers to respond promptly to refurbishment enquiries and to follow-up with irresistible tenders. Starting with site surveys to evaluate the current pool’s condition, first steps involve identifying potential issues and assessing the scope of work. “Determine the goals of the refurbishment, whether it’s addressing safety concerns, improving energy efficiency, upgrading aesthetics, or a combination of these,” Plastica’s Fraser McCallough advises. “Establish a realistic budget and timeline for the project, factoring in potential delays and unexpected issues,” Fraser adds. “Performance and safety should be a priority.” When it comes to advice, Plastica’s 
dedicated Technical Team on hand with over 50 years of industry experience to draw on. The team also offers a surveying service for prospective work relating to its products, such as domestic liners, airdomes, and commercial cover systems. They send out free samples of materials, to share with customers. “When refurbishing a swimming pool, key considerations include assessing the pool’s structural integrity, identifying necessary repairs (like leaks or cracks), and choosing suitable materials for finishes, liners, and equipment upgrades,” says Fraser. “Also, consider enhancing energy efficiency, improving water quality, and updating the pool’s overall aesthetic,” he continues. “Safety should be of paramount importance. Do a full inspection before starting and ascertain what your customer is expecting. Don’t overlook other potential pool equipment – such as pumps, filters, skimmers and lighting, when visiting a site for a refurbishment, Fraser continues. “Finally, consider what time of year to commence your work. Weather can be detrimental to success. We advise establishing a regular maintenance schedule to keep their pool in optimal condition and obtaining a strong relationship with your customer. Fraser emphasises: “Communication is key, make sure you and your customer are on the same page. Don’t scrimp on cost when it comes to materials or contractors! You have your businesses reputation to uphold, and Plastica are here to help you along the way if required.” Typically, customer wish-lists will include heat pumps, variable speed pumps, counter current units and improved appearance.
TAILORED APPROACH
“By focusing on customer motivations, installers can tailor proposals that resonate and inspire,” advises Golden Coast General Manager, Adam Clark. “We reinforce the customer-first approach by equipping our trade partners with knowledge and tools to succeed,” he adds. From bespoke training days and GC Academy sessions to in-house marketing support, the Golden Coast team ensures its customers are ready to deliver solutions that stand out. “Accounts are not only allocated to the team by geography but also by expertise, ensuring that our customers always get advice from the right person,” explains Adam. “This combined approach allows Golden Coast to offer support that goes far beyond distribution, from technical training and on-site guidance to design and marketing assistance.”
SLASHING COSTS
In an era of rising energy prices, the operational costs of a swimming pool can be a significant concern for end-users. “Our innovative, energy-saving technologies are designed to drastically reduce annual running costs, providing a swift return on investment and a more sustainable solution for every pool owner,” says Ocea UK’s Alan Thorne. “The pool pump is the single largest energy consumer in a typical swimming pool setup,” Alan continues. “A traditional single-speed pump operates at full power 100% of the time it is running, regardless of the filtration needs. “This is like driving a car in first gear on the motorway—highly inefficient and wasteful.” Ocea’s Inverhero, Inversmart, and Invermaster pool pumps use super-efficient Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM). Unlike traditional induction motors, these fully controllable pumps adjust their speed and power output to match the precise flow and time required for your pool’s filtration cycle. The results is a dramatic reduction in energy consumption and a whisper-quiet operation.
For a standard 75m3 pool, Ocea UK compare the running costs of a typical 1kW single-speed pump against its high-efficiency Invermaster pumps. Variable-speed pumps, such as the Invermaster, can achieve energy savings of up to 80% compared to traditional single-speed models. This is due to the ‘pump affinity law’ which dictates that a small reduction in pump speed leads to a massive reduction in energy consumption. With an assumed pump cost of £650 (ex VAT), the Invermaster pays for itself in just under a year. (£650/£794.24≈0.82 years). This is a compelling return on investment that clients cannot afford to ignore.
Beyond the pump, heating is another major cost for pool owners. Older or inefficient heating systems can eat up huge amounts of electricity. Upgrading to an Ocea Vertical Outlet Air Source Heat Pump offers a smart and eco-friendly solution.
Developed and optimised specifically for the UK climate, Ocea UK’s Vertical X heat pumps extract free heat from the ambient air, transferring it to the pool water with incredible efficiency. With a Coefficient of Performance (COP) up to 16.3, our heat pumps can produce up to 16kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity consumed. This translates to substantial energy savings, allowing your clients to extend their swimming season for a fraction of the cost of traditional electric heaters.
BUILT TO LAST
The pool pump is the heart of the swimming pool and for decades people have been using single-speed pumps, which have high energy consumption and generate significant noise. InverSilence technology has been developed to address these problems and it is this intelligent technology which features in the new Certikin Inverter Pool Pump. Engineered for performance, designed for sustainability, and built to last – this game-changing pump redefines what’s possible in pool circulation: powerful performance with whisper-quiet operation and unmatched energy savings, all in one sleek, robust unit. Unlike traditional single-speed pumps, the Certikin Inverter Pool Pump with its InverSilence technology automatically adjusts its speed to meet demand – using up to 90% less energy. That means lower running costs and a more environmentally friendly pool all year round. While many inverter pumps use IE3 motors, Certikin’s IE4 motor offers superior energy efficiency for even greater peace of mind. Thanks to its precision engineering and variable-speed operation, the pump runs at 36dB, a 40% reduction on traditional on/off single speed pumps. Whether it is filtering or backwashing, the inverter technology provides consistent water flow, adapting intelligently for optimal performance and longevity of your entire pool system.
With a user-friendly digital interface and rugged, corrosion-resistant components, the Certikin Inverter Pump is built for hassle-free operation and years of reliable use – even in tough pool environments. Ideal for eco-conscious pool owners, this pump significantly reduces carbon footprint whilst meeting the latest energy-efficiency regulations.
LEAPING FORWARD
Velocity, from Lighthouse Pools, represents a leap forward in home fitness technology, bringing professional-grade swimming experiences to personal spaces. A high-quality, pioneering product, the Velocity Swim allows swimmers endless laps without ever having to make a tumble-turn. The first of its kind to be designed and manufactured in the UK, the Velocity was brought to market in GALA POOLS carried out this award-winning refurbishment of an existing indoor holiday park pool, upgrading to variable speed filtration and Kuntze neon controllers, available through Golden Coast. 2022. Velocity is a hydraulically driven counter current system which uses the latest in inverter drive technology and composite engineering. This innovative energy- efficient design keeps costs low whilst compromising nothing on power output. It boasts an impressive flow capacity of 1000m/h for the standard unit, which is the equivalent of 58 seconds for 100 m, suitable for an elite swimmer. Dan Phillips, Managing Director at Lighthouse, comments: “Since its launch we have continually upgraded and improved Velocity and we are confident, in terms of quality, performance and price that this the best and most powerful jet on the market. “We were proud to achieve the patent for its unique invertor drive system. This crowning accomplishment was due to our development team who collaborated with swim coaches and professional swimmers to refine the jet,” continues Dan. “We placed particular emphasis on noise reduction and optimising flow sensation. The collective process resulted in a current that is deep, broad and exceptionally smooth, closely resembling that of a natural river.”
Importantly, with ten customisable speed and intensity options, the jet caters for everyone—from competitive swimmers or triathletes looking for resistance training to leisure users desiring a gentle current for relaxation or low-impact exercise. Its versatility extends the functionality of a pool, making it a space for both rigorous workouts and serene aquatic therapy. Designed with flexibility in mind, Velocity is easy to install and fits on almost any pool. It can also be set up behind a bespoke cover panel, hidden away and maximising the main swim area.
John Whiteside, the Business Development Manager at Lighthouse, notes: “The hidden Velocity has become very popular recently with many customers preferring an unfussy and clean finish to the pool. “Following recent feedback, we have been actively developing new accessories, including a robust swim mirror designed for users aiming to improve their technique and body positioning in real time, as well as an advanced pace display board.”
COMPANY CONTACTS
Certikin
www.certikin.co.uk
Golden Coast
www.goldenc.com
Lighthouse Pools
www.lighthousepools.co.uk
Ocea UK
www.oceauk.com
Plastica
www.plasticapools.net
