Ionizers Are a Cheap Way to Purify Pool
Question: I am considering using a no-chemical electric ionizer pool-spa purifier. Chlorine irritates my eyes and skin, and just smells bad. Will using an ionizer purifier greatly increase my electric bills?
Answer: Using an electric ionizer is an excellent method to improve the feel and smell of pool-spa water. In addition to the concerns you mentioned, chlorine also slowly attacks pool liners, filters and equipment. Unhealthful chemicals may form when chlorine reacts with certain impurities.
The electric cost to use an ionizer is negligible, as much as a 20-watt night light. If you really want to save, consider using a tiny solar model that floats in the pool or spa. It produces its own electricity from the sun and takes about five minutes to assemble and drop in the pool.
The method of using metal ions, copper and silver, has been used for centuries to purify water. NASA perfected this method in the 1960s for space travel. In ancient times, copper bars were placed in water. Drinking water was often stored in silver containers and drunk from silver cups.
Ionization purifiers are simple water-purifying devices. The water passes over one or two electrodes made mainly of copper, a slight amount of silver and other minerals. A safe, low-voltage electric current causes copper and silver ions to be released from the electrodes into the water.
The copper ions do the brunt of the work to kill algae and some bacteria and viruses. The silver ions are also a strong bactericide. The concentration level of the copper and silver ions is very low (less than one-quarter as much as allowed in drinking water), so they are not harmful.
You should still shock-treat your pool periodically with chlorine to oxidize body oils, suntan lotion, etc. Also maintain a very low residual chemical level (so low that you will not notice it).
The better models have electronic controls to maintain proper levels of ions in the water. Some also have digital readouts to indicate how fast ions are being produced, and include pH sensor-readouts.
Most of the ionizer kits include the tees, fittings and hardware to attach the unit to your existing pump filter-pump plumbing. It is simple to do. Other models simply hang in the pool or spa.
Write for (or instantly download at https://www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 566, a buyer’s guide to 12 electric and solar ionizers showing pool-spa size purifying capacities, unique features, controls, diagrams, prices and tips to keep water crystal-clear. Please include $3 and a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope and mail to James Dulley, Los Angeles Times, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.
Sun Rooms Need Strong Framing
Q: I am planning to build my own simple sun room-greenhouse in my backyard. You have written about post-and-beam houses before. Does this construction method also work for a sun room?
A: Almost every sun room built, whether from scratch or from a purchased kit basically uses wood or aluminum post-and-beam framing. Since the glass or plastic cannot provide support, a strong frame is needed.
Even though it may be easier to build it with a slanted front (lean-to) design, a vertical front is best. The lean-to design tends to overheat more in the hot summer sun and has less usable floor space.
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Take an online tour of James Dulley’s house to see the money-saving products he tests. There are nearly 100 pictures with links to the various columns that describe the improvements and products. Go to https://www.dulley.com/house.
