Water saving
As explained in the introduction and under how it works, backwash water is fed through a fine filter bag, back to the swimming pool. This may be likened to a vacuum cleaner bag for collecting fine dust as well as larger debris.
No backwash water is thus discarded into a garden or down a drain as would normally be the case with most existing filters installations.
Larger debris caught in the motor leaf trap collects in the filter bag during the auto-backwash procedure. The filter bag is emptied or replaced from time to time.
Chemical saving
In a normal system, discarded backwash water is replaced with untreated water. George! filters backwash water and returns it to the pool. The returned backwash water still contains pool chemicals. This of course results in a chemical saving.
Auto-backwash
The working of the auto-backwash feature of George! is explained under how it works.
As a result of the auto-backwash feature, the sand filter remains clean. The sand filter thus works optimally and does not cause unnecessary pressure build-up against which the pump motor must operate. Some may argue that a dirtier sand filter provides better filtration. This is true up to a point maybe. The irregularity of the sand particles causes entrapment of fine dust particles. If you have enough sand and/or enough circulation, the sand works without any artificial assistance causing pressure build up.
The auto backwash occurs every time the motor is switched off i.e. at least once a day. Larger debris collected after storms and the like in the motor leaf trap, is thus removed from the system and collects in the filter bag where it does not interfere with the working of the installation on a regular basis. You can thus do away with your weir leaf trap basket as the system is cleared regularly.
Electricity saving
As a result of the auto-backwash procedure every time the pump is switched off, the filter media (sand) is kept clean and larger debris, such as leaves etc., are removed regularly from the leave basket. There is thus no unnecessary pressure build up. The system operates less hours per day as a result of it running more efficiently (it remains clean and filters properly). Less pump hours mean less electricity.
The pressure required to energize the pressure vessel does not have a significant enough impact to negate the above advantage. Alternatively, the pressure can be energized a few moments prior to backwash occurring i.e. just a minute or two before the pump is switched off.
Other advantages
Some advantages referred to but not specifically mentioned:
No more manual backwashing: In most current systems this involves switching of the pump, setting the multiport valve to “backwash”, turning on the pump and backwashing about 1500 liters of water over a few minutes, switching off the pump, setting the multipoint valve to “rinse”, switching on the pump and again discarding water over a minute or two, switching off the pump, setting the multiport valve to “filter” and finally turning on the pump again.
No more weir leave trap cleaning:
The weir leave trap or leave basket has to be removed and cleaned in most existing system. The auto backwash feature cleans the (only one) leaf trap every time the pump is switched off i.e. at least one a day. In this system, there is no requirement for a weir leaf trap.
No more pump motor leave trap cleaning
In this system the pump leaf trap cleans itself each time the motor is switched off and auto-backwashes.
Less topping up:
In existing systems, water discarded during backwash and rinse cycles is manually replaced from mains supply and usually requires that more pool chemicals be added to the pool. In this system, the backwash water is returned to the pool after it is passed through a fine filter bag (somewhat similar to a vacuum cleaner bag).
Backwashing, cleaning of the leaf trap and return of filtered backwash water to the swimming pool happens automatically using simple and reliable mechanical components. Auto backwash systems are available in the market but are electronically controlled making them unreliable, especially in areas where lighting occurs regularly, as well as more expensive.