Pool / Spa renovation - Dual bodies of water or P/S combo? Want to keep spa at temp.

[ajw22]

Thank you. Attached is how the pool was originally drawn for permitting although when building we removed the 4th pump and idea of swim jets. Is this configuration doign what you're describing - one pump for filter and heater (going to spa jets) and a dedicated spa jet pump (labeled here as a booster)? Do they literally pump to the same pipe at some point in their circuit? That's the way the concept looks to me.

It looks like it does but the devil is in the details that are not shown for it to function correctly.

Water from the filter and heater pump should not go to the spa jets. There should be one or two spa returns on the walls close to the floor.

The spa jet pump is not a "booster." It provides all water flow to the spa jet from a dedicated suction line in the spa floor or wall.

 

[laspalomas]

It looks like it does but the devil is in the details that are not shown for it to function correctly.

Water from the filter and heater pump should not go to the spa jets. There should be one or two spa returns on the walls close to the floor.

The spa jet pump is not a "booster." It provides all water flow to the spa jet from a dedicated suction line in the spa floor or wall.

Thank you and apologies that we're communicating about the same pool on two different threads.

I'm following what you're describing. I guess my only remaining concern / confusion at this point is that it seems with the floor return approach I'm downgrading from hot water immediately coming out of the numerous spa jets. Now it will come from just one location as things heat up, until all the spa water is hot and circulating through the spa jet pump?

 

[ajw22]

We are having two conversations across your two threads, which is why I asked the mods to combine them. Let's keep this in one thread.

So the way the guys originally set it up was not correct/good/recommended where water was going from the heater to the spa jets?

It is often done but not optimal for maximum spa jet pressure.

What our drawings showed as a booster spa pump - would it have pumped into the same jet pipes?

Dunno why they call it "booster". Would need to see actual plumbing.

"as built" is often different than "as designed".

Seeing 8-10 holes in the walls of the spa and looking back at the picture I attached when they plumbed...I can only make out one PVC loop. I don't see a separate spa return and spa jet.

For a 2 pump spa system you need two sets of spa suction lines.

I always recommend a dedicated spa jet pump for more then 6 spa jets.

This is my spa setup...

 

[ajw22]

I guess my only remaining concern / confusion at this point is that it seems with the floor return approach I'm downgrading from hot water immediately coming out of the numerous spa jets. Now it will come from just one location as things heat up, until all the spa water is hot and circulating through the spa jet pump?

I wait until my spa is close to or up to the desired temperature to get in.

 

[laspalomas]

Thanks. It seems like I need to get a handle on as-built. I'm having them run some tests to figure out what's connected to what.

 

[Poolbreh]

It’s possible to run spa close to temp with a cover. It involves multiple spa schedules throughout the day and night, no spa bypass and the occasional spillway to fill the spa from any water lost from spilling over.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks. It seems like I need to get a handle on as-built. I'm having them run some tests to figure out what's connected to what.

Talk to the trades, and they often look at plans, shake their heads, and mutter that this will not work. Then, they do what they think is right without telling anyone or updating the plans.

 

[laspalomas]

It’s possible to run spa close to temp with a cover. It involves multiple spa schedules throughout the day and night, no spa bypass and the occasional spillway to fill the spa from any water lost from spilling over.

Thanks, I think I'm following. What do you mean by "no spa bypass"? Not familiar with that aspect sorry and thank you.

 

[laspalomas]

It’s possible to run spa close to temp with a cover. It involves multiple spa schedules throughout the day and night, no spa bypass and the occasional spillway to fill the spa from any water lost from spilling over.

Also...that's what I was thinking of doing but...

-Cost to keep it heated all the time v/s on-demand with a good heater probably doesn't make sense for our frequency of use
-With the infloor system we're spilling hot water (if kept at temp) or would have to cancel the spa infloor and loose that cleaning/circulation.

 

[ajw22]

-Cost to keep it heated all the time v/s on-demand with a good heater probably doesn't make sense for our frequency of use

Which do you think is more efficient?

-With the infloor system we're spilling hot water (if kept at temp) or would have to cancel the spa infloor and loose that cleaning/circulation.

Do you have an automation system?

Now, you introduce a complication with how your IFCS is set up and how that interacts with your spa spillover. You need to tell us how that is set up.

 

[laspalomas]

Which do you think is more efficient?


Do you have an automation system?

Now, you introduce a complication with how your IFCS is set up and how that interacts with your spa spillover. You need to tell us how that is set up.

It's not set up. All of the Jandy equipment has been removed and trying to figure out what replacement Pentair equipment to order.

I believe heating on demand is going to be more cost effective.

 

[ajw22]

It's not set up. All of the Jandy equipment has been removed and trying to figure out what replacement Pentair equipment to order.

Your IFCS is all plumbed into the pool with valves and heads.

Whose IFCS system do you have? A&A, Paramount, or Jandy Caretaker?

Do you have the IFCS design plan for your pool?

In Floor Cleaning Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I believe heating on demand is going to be more cost effective.

That is correct.

 

[Poolbreh]

Also...that's what I was thinking of doing but...

-Cost to keep it heated all the time v/s on-demand with a good heater probably doesn't make sense for our frequency of use

Two threads got merged, i wanted to point out that isolating the spa and maintain a temp is possible locally. I’ve done it for some
Airbnbs.

The spa bypass is either hard plumbed or an actuator is calibrated to divert a portion of the return back into the spa while in normal pool mode.

So you are basically isolating each body with the occasional spa fill. But I agree with Allan it’s probably not much more efficient. Most spas heat up 30mins or less around here. You would probably have to use the spa everyday to make it worth it.

 

[laspalomas]

Your IFCS is all plumbed into the pool with valves and heads.

Whose IFCS system do you have? A&A, Paramount, or Jandy Caretaker?

Do you have the IFCS design plan for your pool?

In Floor Cleaning Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

That is correct.

Apologies I didn't get the acronym and was thinking about automated controller.

The Jandy/Zodiac infloor has 6 zones. 5 of them go to the pool and baja step. 1 of them goes to the spa.

 

[ajw22]

You will need to compromise on your conflicting requirements. If your contractor tries to build a frankenpool to meet all your requirements, it will end up being overly complicated and problematic.

Accept that you will heat the spa on demand and you can use your IFCS to clean your spa.

Or disable the spa cleaner zone to maintain the spa heat and accept other cleaning of the spa.

I don't have a cleaner in my spa. My spa water is skimmed twice a day when my spillover runs. I will skim the spa further using my pool net. I kick dirt that settles on the floor toward the drains when I am in the spa. Once in a while, I will leave the spa run for a while with the jets and spa blower running to churn up the water and let the filter capture the dirt.

 

[ajw22]

What automation system do you have?