ECOsmarte Chemical-Free Pool and Spa

    Frequently Asked Questions

Is Copper in the water safe for me? -- Absolutely. We run our pools at 25% of the safe drinking water levels according to the EPA. In fact, if you drank 2 gallons of pool water, you would ingest the amount of copper found in a multiple-vitamin.

How does the ECOsmarte Pool System work? -- Simple. Every time your pump runs, the ECOsmarte oxygen electrodes deliver a non-chemical shock to your water when the water passes through your pressure line. Once per week you test your pH and copper levels. You will switch the button on your Electronic Control Unit and ionize for 4 - 8 hours depending on your pool size and bather load. This will put copper in your pool which is a great algaecide and deadly to viruses.

Is the system easy to install and operate? -- Yes. As mentioned in the installation and operation sections on our pool and spa products, installation of the Standard and Turbo models can easily be completed in 30 minutes. Operation of the system requires weekly testing of the pH and copper in the pool water and simply flipping a switch, much like a light switch on and off a couple of times.

How long do the copper bars last and how much do they cost to replace? -- Life of the copper bars will depend on the length of your pool season, the calcium hardness of the water and the size of your pool. Normally, they will last 2-3 years and cost only $125 to replace. They can be replaced by the pool or spa owner with a screw driver.

Do you mean that I will never use chemicals again? -- The only reason to add chemicals to your pool will be to control pH. You need to neutralize pH to maximize the kill rate of our oxygen and copper. The ECOsmarte system works best with a pH of approximately 6.8 – 7.2, which is slightly below neutral. If it becomes necessary to increase the pH of the water, we recommend the use of baking soda. If it becomes necessary to lower the pH of the water we recommend the use of muratic acid which can be purchased from any discount building supply store. If you mismanage your pH or copper level and get an algae bloom we might suggest using a quart of non-metal algaecide or a few pounds of non-chlorine shock, but the pool requires no regular chemicals for sanitation.

How does the ECOsmarte compare to salt-to-chlorine generating devices? -- The ECOsmarte system is superior to salt-to-chlorine generators in many ways. First, pool and spa water treated with the ECOsmarte system is preferred by virtually every person that has had the opportunity to swim in a pool treated with ECOsmarte versus a pool treated with a salt-to-chlorine generator. Secondly, water in an ECOsmarte treated pool is free of all sanitizing chemicals and has the feel and taste of bottled water. Salt-to-chlorine generators produce chlorine and can adversely affect pool equipment, liners, covers and the swimmers. The discharge water from a pool treated with a salt-to-chlorine generator can contaminate soil and ultimately kill vegetation and sterilize the soil. For a complete list of comparisons between ECOsmarte systems and salt-to-chlorine generators read this PDF.

My pool man says this will not work. What should I do? -- Would you ask him which pool he knows of where the ECOsmarte System did not work? Chances are that he is not familiar with the ECOsmarte system or has confused ECOsmarte with another alternative system. All of our equipment comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. We would be interested in the name of the unsatisfied customer. We get very few returns.

If I have other questions about the system, who can I call to discuss the system in more detail? -- You can call us toll-free at (888) 329-2705 and we will gladly answer any questions you may have.

How much savings will there be? -- If you currently use any chemicals for sanitizing, algae control or clarifying your water, you will no longer need them. If you are currently running your pump more than 8-12 hours per day, you will save electricity. If you currently need to backwash more frequently than twice a month, you will likely save water. The actual savings amount will very depending on the size of the pool, the type of sanitation currently being used, the length of the season and other factors too numerous to list here. While the system will easily pay for itself in a few years, money is only one of the reasons a pool or spa owner should buy an ECOsmarte system. The health and safety issues are equally if not more important than the economics of owning the system.

Will the copper stain my pool? -- The amount of copper being added to your pool is significantly less than would begin to cause staining. If the system is not operated properly and the pH rises significantly and the system is left on ionization for a prolonged length of time staining could possibly result. ECOsmarte technicians can provide instructions on how to correct such staining in the unlikely event it should occur.

If the ECOsmarte is such a good system, why haven’t I heard of them before? -- ECOsmarte has been installing pool and spa water purification systems for over 12 years. They have over 12,000 installations worldwide. Until the last few years, they have marketed their products only over the Internet. In the past few years they have begun building a worldwide network of distributors, dealers and resellers. They currently have over seventy dealers in North America and the network is growing every year.

Who will come to my house if the system needs to be repaired or replaced? -- Any pool problem you may have, including problems with the system, can be diagnosed by an ECOsmarte technician over the phone. If a component has failed, we will ship you a new component and you will ship back the defective one. It is as simple as that. There is no need for costly service calls to trouble shoot ECOsmarte systems.

If I purchase the Totally Automated System where can I buy the CO2? -- CO2 can be purchased from air supply companies, beverage companies or welding supply companies. Depending on the company, you may have the option of either purchase a tank or rent one. In many markets, these companies will actually come to your house on a regular basis and change your tanks out for you. Some pool owners simply purchase two tanks.