A pool cleaner, also known as a swimming pool service technician, is a person who is a service operator and manually cleans either home or commercial pools. There are many pool cleaning companies which train and provide manpower for this particular service.
However, the need for speed and more efficient services led to the development of an automated method of cleaning pools known as automatic pool cleaners. This is a vacuum cleaner that is intended to clean pools by collecting debris and waste with little human assistance.
What are the types of automated vacuum cleaners?
There are three types of automated pool vacuum cleaners:
1. Suction side vacuum cleaners
These types of automated pool cleaners use a suction hose connected to a skimmer box. They are powered by the pool’s main pump. The suctioning action is the motivating force to enable the machine move around. The automated cleaner is connected to the end which uses the movement of the water flow to propel itself around the pool while removing dirt and remains on its path, while following a random course.
Advantages:
- It is the least expensive method of automatic pool cleaning.
- It has minimal maintenance and replacement of parts costs overtime.
- It does not normally miss spots even though the movement is random.
- It climbs the walls.
Disadvantages:
- More prone to getting stuck in corners.
- Setting them up each time is a tricky process because you are always trying to avoid any air being left in the suction hose.
2. Automatic pressure cleaners
In this type of pool cleaners, instead of sucking water through a hose, a booster pump is used to pressurize the pool water inflow. The water with high pressure is then used for high speed movement and to collect debris.
It also traces a random course. The pressure created by the booster pump causes a turbulence which in turn causes a distribution of the dirt on the floors and walls of the pool. Some may be refloated to the surface and sucked into the main filter. Filter bags will then come into force and collect a portion of the dirt.
The most common brands are Jet-Vac and Polaris.
Advantages:
- The have a larger opening for debris to enter compared to suction cleaners.
- They are less likely to get stuck in corners because they are automated to change direction.
- They have less capacity to damage the pumps or the filters.
Disadvantages:
- Installation costs are higher because of the booster pump.
- It consumes a lot of electricity in a day.
- The ability to climb walls of the pool varies.
3. Robotic pool cleaners
They are powered by a set down transformer, which is a separate electric source that is kept not far away from the pool. It sucks in water through a filter bag and then the filtered water is released back into the pool.
It has brushes connected by rubber that help remove contaminated particles from the pool’s floors and walls and send them directly to the filter bags. It has an internal microchip programmed to change directions when it’s necessary.
Advantages
- More energy efficient when compared to pressure cleaners.
- Have rotating brushes for a more thorough clean.
Disadvantages
- It has a very high purchase cost.
- It needs access to a power point.
Hopefully having a look at all the various advantages and disadvantages of the different types of automatic pool cleaners will make your purchasing decision at least a little bit easier! But no matter which type you choose, rest assured that an automatic pool cleaner is the way to go – once you have one, you’ll never want to go back to cleaning your pool by hand ever again!
