Hitting Fifty

Green construction and the use of eco-friendly products are on the rise nationwide. According to a recent report posted on Inc.com, the “overall green building market is expected to more than double from $49 billion by 2013,” and companies selling products that cut down on energy costs are “well positioned for future growth.”

The swimming pool design business is part of this emerging trend. As consumers grow savvier about saving both money and the environment, pool construction companies are now offering a wide variety of products and services to help people build eco-friendly, energy-efficient and aesthetically beautiful swimming pools for their homes or businesses.

Here in the Peninsula and South Bay areas, Palo-Alto-based Lifetime Pools continues to improve and expand its role in the eco-friendly pool design area.  Founded in 1962 as a small, family business, the firm has emerged as the preeminent pool builder in the Peninsula, South Bay and Santa Cruz areas. This year, the firm is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Lifetime Pools specializes in swimming pool engineering and construction, and offers innovative ways to cut energy consumption and the use of chemicals while simultaneously lowering costs. “Our forte is creating pleasure, recreation and stunning masterpieces that enhance the lives of our clients,” says Ray Whitford, president and CEO of the firm. “Creating a sanctuary for them, while being sensitive to what’s going on with the environment in terms of energy savings and the traditional chemical considerations that people would have with maintaining pools.”

Whitford believes the key to his company’s success is its depth and sense of innovation. “Through the years, there has always been strong competition, but we’ve been able to set ourselves apart in terms of what we do. We’re a construction and engineering oriented company, not just a sales organization,” he explains. “We continue to be on the cutting edge and be as creative as possible in everything we do.”

That means using the most innovative, and environmentally-friendly pool design products on the market. Popular eco-friendly pool features include:  magnetic variable speed pumps controlled by digital keypads (which can save on energy usage and cost); thermal/solar heaters, and most recently, geothermal heaters which use ground heat to cool the house and heat the pool at the same time; UV sanitation systems that reduce the need for chemicals; and in-floor cleaning systems that not only remove debris from the pool, but also circulate the water so that the temperature remains more uniform, thus cutting down on energy usage and costs.

Automation is also a key new component. “It’s computer automation for controlling different functions and effects of the pool,” says Whitford. “You can now control your pool from your PC and smart phone. With lighting, you can program sequences of lighting in the pool so lights will fluctuate and you create a wave of light in the pool. All diagnostics now for filter operation and heaters can be done via laptop. With automated controls, we can make equipment come on at certain times, or increase filtration time but decrease the rpms of the motor,” he explains. “Energy savings are huge.”

With five decades in the business, Whitford proudly boasts a list of clientele ranging from newcomers wanting brand new pools to old-timers he’s had for up to 40 years. “We’ve had customers we’ve built two or three pools for. We have people who remove their existing pool and put something new in because they want something different,” he laughs.

Pools can range in cost anywhere in price from $40,000 to $100,000 plus. “We can do pretty much everything in terms of automation,” Whitford says. “What drives the cost is how creative the customer gets. We can do things as simple as automatic pool covers, or pools with vanishing edges, to grottos, waterfalls, water features, and water slides. It’s limitless in terms of what can be done.”

Whitford is proud of the lifetime of his pools, his company, and his clients, and hopes his business will continue indefinitely. “It’s a milestone that we’ve made fifty years. We’re creating lifetime pools for lifetime customers.”

Or more information and how to build you backyard paradise contact Lifetime Pools linked below: