JULY 2012 EDITION SMUD RAMPS UP POOL & SPA ENERGY EFFICIENCY EDUCATION EFFORTS FOR ITS EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS

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1 JULY 2012 EDITION SMUD INVITATION DRAWS PENTAIR S SUE ROBACH TO SACRAMENTO Photo by Brian Long Photography SMUD s Brooks Hillian at the podium addressing the attendees at the SMUD June 2012 Customer Service Seminar promoting energy efficiency for pool and spas. Photo by Brian Long Photography From right to left: SMUD s Brooks Hillian and Paula Robertson present the 2012 SMUD Energy Efficiency sponsorship contribution to FPSIE s Phil Gelhaus, Michael Orr, Carole Dittmer, and Brian Long. SMUD RAMPS UP POOL & SPA ENERGY EFFICIENCY EDUCATION EFFORTS FOR ITS EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS SMUD has again taken a leadership role in promoting energy efficiency for pool and spa operations. In The partnership story with starts its pool here and spa education partner, FPSIE, in 2012 is training more SMUD staff and SMUD customers who are pool and spa owners in a two pronged effort to make more of the 50,000 plus pools and spas in its territory more energy efficient. SMUD recognizes that in the vast majority of homes with pools and spas, the pools and spas are the largest energy consumers in those homes. With so many pools and spas in its service territory, making as many of them energy efficient as-soon-as-possible is a priority. To accomplish this goal SMUD has partnered with FPSIE to train selected SMUD staff in pool/spa operations and an initial group of eight staff members recently attended Certified Pool Operator (CPO) training at FPSIE. They will next enroll in FPSIE's Certified Aquatic Energy Auditor (CAEA) training. In June, SMUD and FPSIE jointly conducted (please see article to right) a Customer Service seminar on pool/spa energy efficiency that was attended by fifty-two (52) SMUD pool/spa owner customers. More customer service seminars are in the planning stages and it is anticipated that they will be offered at the FPSIE Education Center as well as at SMUD's Customer Service Center. The customer training includes many energy conservation measures in addition to an introduction to the more energy efficient equipment that is available to those that wish to maximize efficiency to achieve more energy conservation. When Pentair, the world's leading manufacturer of equipment for pools and spas, received the invitation from FPSIE to have a member of its training team present at the SMUD June 2012 Customer Service Seminar to promote energy efficiency for pools and spas, Sue Robach, Pentair's National Training Manager, heeded the call. Sue stated that Pentair views SMUD as the Nation's leader in promoting energy efficiency for pools and spas; "So we want to give them all the support that we can." Besides, it gave Sue an opportunity to return to her roots. She operated her own pool service business for several years here in Sacramento before catching the "training bug" and becoming a world traveler for Pentair. Sue honed her training skills at Sacramento City College where she was part of the industry trade Pentair s Sue Robach presenting at the SMUD June 2012 Customer Service Seminar. (Continued on Page 2) 1 The Foundation JULY 2012

2 SMUD INVITATION (Continued from Page 1) SPECIAL THANKS FOR SUPPORT COURSE SPOTLIGHT association's, National Spa and Pool Institute (now Association of Pool and Spa Professionals), training team presenting its training materials. At Pentair, Sue has continued her tradition of training excellence and has been rewarded by her rise to the top of her profession in a field previously dominated by men. At the SMUD Customer Service Seminar, Sue exhibited all the attributes that have propelled her to the top of her profession; she is a polished presenter, she was well prepared, she had excellent training materials and, best of all, she spoke in a way that literally everyone understood what she was conveying. Her presentation began with a power point presentation of drawings of a typical pool and its equipment with the equipment labeled so that everyone became familiar with "poolterminology." She then discussed each component of the circulation system and its purpose. She emphasized the importance of the plumbing and taught a lesson in hydraulics that even a novice could understand. So much so that afterwards one lady was heard to remark that: "I can't remember when I've enjoyed learning this much before; I don't see my pool as so complicated anymore." Sue continued her presentation with a segment about routine maintenance emphasizing the importance of keeping the filter clean to conserve energy usage; the roles of the weir door, the skimmer basket, the pump hair and lint pot basket along with periodic inspections that should be performed. She talked briefly about circulation pump downsizing possibilities as well as about the more energy efficient pumps and motors which are new and available now. Sue concluded her presentation with a segment about water chemistry and engaged the audience in a fun discussion about the different types of disinfectants and types of sanitation and how often to test the water. She made a discussion about ph, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Cyanuric Acid and Salt levels in pool water, sound like a "normal" discussion topic. For Sue's list of "what to look for to make your pool/spa energy efficient," plan to attend a future SMUD/FPSIE event or write to: Sue Robach, c/o FPSIE, 598 Display Way, Sacramento, CA Left to right, FPSIE s Carole Dittmer and SMUD s Paula Robertson at the SMUD June 2012 Customer Service Seminar. The FPSIE Education Center will turn seven this coming December. While its roots go back much farther, my roots with FPSIE began with the education center. During the past six plus years FPSIE has participated in many projects with the help and support of past and present sponsors, manufacturers, distributors, volunteers and every level of aquatic professional in our industry. FPSIE has received many accolades for many of these projects. However, I can't remember any prior accolades that have been more heartwarming than those that have been received from the SMUD June 2012 Customer Service Seminar. We want to share a letter from one of the attendees. FPSIE is grateful to receive feedback like this from program participants, and, of course, we always strive for positive results. We want to take this opportunity to thank SMUD for the opportunity to help educate swimming pool and spa owners and for being an excellent business partner. FPSIE would also like to thank and mention our supporters who provided tabletop demonstrations and materials; for donating raffle prizes and gift bags goodies: Regal Beloit, Natural Chemistry, Hayward, LaMotte, Taylor Technologies, IPSSA and Pentair Water Pool and Spa. - Carole Dittmer Letter from SMUD customer I just wanted to thank SMUD for putting on a really GREAT Seminar this past Saturday. I sat next to a lady who attended last year and she said this one was better because it was more "practical" than "technical". I was grateful for the free seminar and to learn better pool savings tips and was pleased to find out I'm doing OK since I remodeled my pool equipment in 2009 and am in line with what was being recommended by the speaker from Pentair. My remodeled equipment was with Pentair so that was one of the reasons I came to the seminar. The gift packets with the waste or fanny type pack, acrylic cup, lighted pen, Phosphate free, test strips were so very thoughtful and unexpected. The raffle prize giveaways were fantastic and as one of the many winners I can only say sincere appreciation for such generous prize gifts. I was overwhelmed with my prize basket. THANK YOU! Although you conveyed concerns about the seminar attendee s response to the fact that there are no rebates available for new pool upgrades...i just wanted to share that I am grateful when I get any kind of rebate and don't expect it. I have been a long time SMUD customer and have always appreciated my service and how SMUD works at keeping costs down for its customers. I continue to look forward to other educational seminars. My sincere thanks and appreciation for the efforts of all the SMUD employees who made the seminar educational and fun and for having a really good speaker. It was very welcoming from the door greeting to registration to continental breakfast to seminar and very well thought out and implemented. Basic Electricity WHAT MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND? COULD IT BE ELECTRICITY A PRODUCT OF ENERGY? Service Techs, there is one thing in our industry that has the potential to double or triple your present income, are you interested? Understanding manufacturers equipment, installation manuals, and how it all fits together both mechanically and electrically can be very profitable. As an example, there are sales-installations pending in excess of 5 billion dollars over the next 5 years for just the Utility Companies pool-conservation programs with their rebates and energy star rating programs. How does one acquire the knowledge which is needed for you to be at the top of your game, bring in the business, and increase your wealth? One of the starting blocks is the FPSIE Basic Electricity Course. This course will prepare you for other education direct from the manufacturers training programs about their various electric pool components. Having a firm grasp of Basic Electricity principles prior to attending training or using the manufacturers manuals dramatically increases your retention & understanding of the subject matter. SO, DON T FIGHT THE BATTLE WITH ONE ARM TIED BEHIND YOUR BACK Enroll in our Summer Special Basic Electricity Course and receive a 25% discount from the posted price and learn the following: 1. Electrical Safety 2. Basic Electrical Terms and their meanings 3. Electrical Theory 4. Components & Testing 5. Electrical Systems 6. Circuits & Functions of Circuits 7. Controllers 8. Pumps & Motors 9. Chlorinators & Underwater Lighting To enroll, call (916) or go to and click on BASIC ELECTRICITY: For more information please us at info@fpsie.org. FOLLOW US ON 2 The Foundation JULY 2012

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9 A round of applause and sincere thanks goes out to all of our wonderful supporters who have made the FPSIE Education Center possible. It is their dedication that has made FPSIE a success. In their honor, with their continued support we continue providing education for our industry. We are now in the third phase of development. If you wish to be recognized on this list with our other sponsors/donors, please contact Michael Orr to discuss countless opportunities. We need sponsors to donate time, materials or funds on our countless educational projects. A.O. SMITH APE, ADVANCED POOL ENGINEERING ADVANTIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC ALPHA WEST MARKETING GROUP APSP AQUA CREEK PRODUCTS AQUASALT, LLC AQUAVATIONS ARCH CHEMICALS BIO-DEX LABORATORIES BIOLAB, INC BLAKE SALES AND ASSOCIATES BURKETT S POOL PLASTERING CCS CONTRACTS CHEM QUIP, INC CHIEF POOL PLASTERING DAL PINO QUALITY POOLS DEL OZONE DELTA UV FIBER CLEAR GENERAL POOL & SPA SUPPLY, INC GEREMIA POOLS HACH-ETS COMPANY HANLEY WOODS / POOL & SPA NEWS HASA, INC HAYWARD POOL PRODUCTS, INC IKERIC, INC INDUSTRIAL TEST SYSTEMS INFUSION POOL PRODUCTS LLC INTER-FAB, INC INTERMATIC, INC IPSSA LAMOTTE COMPANY MARQUIS CORP MASTER POOLS GUILD NATURAL CHEMISTRY NEIL O. ANDERSON AND ASSOC. NIDEC MOTOR CORPORATION NSPF OASIS POOL SERVICE OREQ CORP PARAMOUNT POOL & SPA SYSTEMS PENTAIR WATER POOL & SPA POOL & HOT TUB COUNCIL OF CANADA POOL CHLOR POOL CORP POOLVERGNUEGEN RAYPAK, INC ROBB S COMMERCIAL POOL SERVICES S.R. SMITH SERRANO POOL PLASTERING SGM, INC SHASTA INDUSTRIES - A&A MANUFACTING SMUD SWIM, INC SWIM CHEM TAYLOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC THE SOLAR DEPOT UNITED CHEMICAL CORP VANSON HALOSOURCE, INC ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC 9 The Foundation JULY 2012