Complete guide to a successful pool renovation

Over time, a pool may lose efficiency, comfort or aesthetic appeal. Whether to improve water quality, reduce energy consumption or modernise an installation, a pool renovation is a key way to extend the lifetime of a pool and increase the value of your property. Here we present the major factors to consider for a successful renovation project.

1. Planning a pool renovation effectively: the key stages

A well-managed pool renovation project relies first and foremost on a structured approach. It is not just about replacing an item of equipment, but more about thinking of the pool as a whole. These are the essential steps to take into account:

• Analyse the existing installation
  Pool filtration, water treatment, pump, lighting, heating, pool basin lining, plant room, etc. Each component must be assessed to detect signs of wear, incompatibilities, or efficiency losses.

• Define the objectives
  Technical and budget choices can be guided by objectives such as healthier water, lower energy consumption, automated pool maintenance, or simply a design update.

• Select suitable pool equipment
  The selection is based on several criteria: pool size, use frequency, technical constraints, budget, and desire to include connectivity or not.

• Check the system coherence
  An efficient pool pump is not enough if the filter is under-sized. Correct operation is based on an equilibrium between all the components in the hydraulic circuit.

• Plan the works
  Parameters such as out-of-season works (in spring or autumn), anticipation of delivery times, selection of qualified professionals and coordination of the installation stages must all be managed.

• Commission, test, and adjust the installation
  Once the pool renovation is finished, each component must be adjusted precisely: pump speeds, scheduled filtration times, disinfection, etc. Correct configuration maximises the performance and the savings made.

2. Improving the pool filtration system

Pool filtration plays a central role in water quality. Fixed speed pumps can lead to overconsumption of electricity and unsuitable operation depending on how they are used. Hayward variable speed pool pumps, such as the TriStar® VSTD or the Super Pump® VSTD, automatically adjust their flow to suit requirements (filtration, cleaning, heating, etc.), resulting in energy savings of up to 85 %. They also offer quieter operation, an extended lifetime, and a user-friendly digital screen for precise configuration. 

TriStar® VSTD Pump 

Super Pump® VSTD

In terms of filtration, the high-capacity SwimClear™ cartridge filter is a sustainable alternative to classic sand filters. It performs fine filtration down to 15 microns, with no need for additional flocculant or back-washing. The result is clearer water, significant water savings, and simplified maintenance thanks to rapid access to the filtration elements.

SwimClear™ Filter

SwimClear™ Single Element Filter

3. Updating the pool lighting

Switching to LED lights transforms the pool atmosphere whilst reducing energy consumption. More powerful, durable and sustainable, and available in white or multicoloured versions, these spotlights provide an aesthetic touch and improve visibility, in particular for swimming at night. These lights are compatible with connected management and have a lifetime or up to 50,000 hours of use.

4. New generation water treatment

Expectations are moving towards healthier water, containing lower levels of chemicals, and automated pool maintenance. The AquaRite® UV LS NG system combines salt chlorination and low-pressure UV treatment to provide effective and sustainable disinfection. This process neutralises bacteria, viruses and algae, whilst restricting the use of classic disinfectants. Easy to include in a pool renovation project, this type of automatic treatment improves comfort during swimming, reduces irritation of the skin and eyes, and contributes to more eco-friendly pool management.

AquaRite® UV Low Salinity NG Salt Chlorinator

5. Thermal comfort and energy savings

Heating is a major aspect to consider in a renovation project. Hayward Full Inverter pool heat pumps adapt automatically to the outdoor temperature and the pool requirements. With their technology, start-up cycles can be reduced, consumption restricted, and silent operation ensured, for comfortable temperatures from spring through to autumn.
Hayward models are equipped with Full Inverter technology, which makes fine adjustments to the compressor and fan power. Result: electricity savings of up to 30 %, a sound level reduced to 20 dB during the temperature regulation phase, and stable operation even in unfavourable weather conditions. The R32 fluid used also limits the environmental impact of the equipment.

6. Centralisation and connected pool management

Inclusion of a remote domotic system which controls the main pool equipment: filtration, heating, lighting, water quality, etc. The Hayward connected ecosystem centralises essential functions, makes maintenance easier and increases pool safety thanks to alerts in real time.

7. Frequent errors to avoid during a pool renovation project

A pool renovation project may fail if certain traps are not foreseen. The most common of them are:

• Replacing a single item of equipment without checking the overall impact: each part of the system is dependent on the others.
• Keeping the previous logic (manual, not connected) whereas the entire market is moving towards smart equipment.
• Forgetting to plan for future pool maintenance: it is best to select equipment that is easy to dismantle, clean or program.
• Neglecting use of space or ventilation of the plant room when the format or power is changed.

Renovating a pool involves much more than replacing one or two items of equipment. It is an opportunity for a complete rethink of the performance, consumption, user comfort and value of the pool. Using Hayward technologies, it is possible to modernise a bathing area sustainably, durably, efficiently, and in an aesthetically pleasing way. A well-planned pool renovation not only improves daily life, it also anticipates future challenges: energy sobriety, simplicity of management, sustainability and lifetime of the installations.