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Dun & Bradstreet #795493758 |
| Home | Domes | Pool Covers | Pool Liners | Awnings | Lattice & Arbors | Steel Carports | Boat Covers | About Us | Email Us |
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Dun & Bradstreet #795493758 |
| Rontimco Home | Main Pool Page | Dome FAQs | Dome Details | How to Measure | Pricing, Options & Colors | Photo Gallery | Testimonials | Owners Manual & Warranty | Request Information |
Rontimco receives dozens of requests on a weekly basis for referrals of Swimming Pool Dome owners in specific regions of the US. If we were to provide potential customers with the names and phone numbers of those folks, they would end up with a full time job answering the same questions over and over again. We thought about this situation and considered many possible options to provide you with the credible information you deserve. To make it fair and equitable for the person giving the referral, the idea came up that we could pay them for taking the time to pass on their information regarding their own personal experiences with our domes. But to pay them could possibly taint the information provided to you. We decided to do a customer survey instead. The warranty registration card files were utilized in a random manner to gather the names and phone numbers of Aero-Dome owners for the last 21 years. They were asked the same type of questions we get asked of us every day from the Internet response. Below you will find the most frequently asked questions in red and the answers in dark blue. Answers and comments provided from owners of Aero-Domes are denoted in Blue Italics.
This survey represents the responses of numerous Aero-Dome owners in each the following states; Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada, West Virginia, and Florida.
How much does it cost to operate the blower on the dome ?
The cost to operate the blower on an average size dome (24' x 38') should run anywhere between 12 dollars and 20 dollars per month.
My electric bill went up about $15.00 per month.
I did not notice an increase that I could trace to the blower.
No change in electricity that we noticed.
How does the Dome perform in the wind ?
We recommend deflating your dome before strong winds reach your area - that is, over 30 mph. Although we have heard stories about them withstanding some bad wind storms, you shouldn't put your dome to the test if you don't have to.
If you are aware of an impending storm that could produce these types of excessive winds, simply turn off the power to the dome and open the zipper door and it will collapse in 10 to 15 minutes and lay flat on the water. If you are in a real hurry, unhook the cable in one corner of the dome (opposite of the wind direction) and lift up that corner. It will deflate very quickly. After the event passes, (reconnect the cable if needed), put the power back on and zip up the door and in about 10 to 20 minutes the dome will be fully inflated and ready for use.
Should you not be in a position to deflate the dome prior to such a storm, and as a last resort, temporarily increase the pressure within the dome (see Owner's Manual) to make it more rigid during the course of the storm. Be sure to readjust the pressure switch back to the normal setting after the storm!
I tried to deflate my dome during a bad windstorm with about 60 to 70 m.p.h. gusts and it started to "whip"like a sail ! I should have left it inflated. I had to turn the blowerback on as fast as I could and within a few minutes it was riding out the storm without my "help".
We experience pretty tough winds at times, the dome buffets and bounces in those situations but it has always come out of it OK. I've had mine for nearly 5 years and it appears that it should last another 5.
Snow and Ice Questions:
Many questions have been asked regarding snow build-up and ice situations on the dome. There are so many variables involved, it is impossible to address every one of them.
One of the most important issues about snow and ice, however, is the pressure switch box becoming blocked. The opening at the back of the switch box must be open in order for the switch to work properly. If it is blocked, the blower will run continuously causing a possible "blowout" of the dome!
From our survey we derived the following information from our customers. We know that the vinyl is laboratory tested to 30 degrees below zero, but we do not suggest you put your dome to this amount of stress. Keep reading for more information about heating.
At 12 degrees farenheit (external of the dome) the moisture within the dome created by the heating of the water in the pool (he heats his pool to 84 degrees in the Kentucky winter) will form ice crystals on the ceiling of the dome and eventually bring the domedown due to the weight of the ice. If I had to do it over again, I would buy another dome verses building a structure over the pool. I have friends that have pools enclosed within buildings and they have moisture problems I dont need to deal with and they paid much more money.
When it snows here, our snow is real wet and heavy. If the temperature is fairly warm within the dome, the snow usually melts as soon as it hits the top. When the temperature drops quickly and a wet snow happens, the dome tries to stay up but when it accumulates a couple of inches on top it slowly gives up and relaxes on the water. When we see this happening, we just unplug the motor and when things get a little warmer, we start it up again. It's really great to be able to swim in comfort while seeing the sleet outside and hearing it hit the dome.
I like it when it's snowing outside and I can swim. I leave my dome up all year (Maryland). I have very little maintenace on my pool with leaving it up all the time. The wind gets alittle "hairy" here at times. The first year I was concerned about it blowing away or developing a tear. Now I'm used to the dome and it doesn't bother me like it did at first.
We actively use our dome all the way up to the beginning of December. At that time it just becomes too expensive for us to heat the pool. We leave the heater set at a low temperature and keep the dome inflated. About the middle of March, the heater is turned up and with minimal last minute maintenance, were back in the water. Our dome is removed usually in May and reset in October.
Cable Anchoring System Verses Waterbags:
Due to the high profile of a dome, waterbags are normally not strong enough to hold a dome down in a windstorm. We do offer waterbags for our domes but suggest them only in the case of temporary unit, (one that is moved from location to location) or in the rare instance that the dome will be fully protected from the wind at all times. NOTE: Watertube domes also have an anchoring system built in, and the warranty calls for the dome to be anchored for the warranty to be in force. Waterbags require tedious cleaning, anti-freeze in colder climates, and a long hook to "fish" them from the bottom of the pool where they like to reside.
Waterbags or sandbags can be used in conjunction with the cable anchoring system when your dome is to be mounted on grass or ground in order to maintain a good airseal on the inner flap. Long auger anchors have been used by several of our customers who do not have a concrete deck.
We used to have one of those pool covers that had a bunch of waterbags around the edge of the pool. We were always removing them from the bottom of the pool and the cover seemed to be half in and half out most of the time. When it came time for us to store them, they needed to be scrubbed down individually and every drop of water had to be squeezed out in order to store them properly.
Are there any savings on heating and chemicals?:
Chemicals:
When an Aero-Dome is employed over any swimming pool, the savings in chemicals do add up over a period of time. Keep in mind that the chemicals previously released into the atmosphere primarily through condensation are now "trapped" within the dome and stay in the water. This means that less chemicals and other types of water treatments will be used. Cleaning of the pool will become much less frequent due to the fact that the foreign materials (leaves, dirt, pollen, bugs, etc.) will be outside of your dome.
Heating:
While there are no 2 pools alike, and environmental conditions vary to such extremes, there are no "pat" answers to actual figures on heating costs. As a rule of thumb, (all things being equal) an Aero-Dome does provide substantial heating cost reduction due to the following:
On an average dome, the heating costs should be cut approximately in half. Some of you will get a bit less and some will get slightly more of an effect.
Some owners in the extreme cold climates save even more money on heating by using a thermal cover within the dome to help retain the heat within the body of the water. The usual report indicates an additional savings of about 30 percent of the figure mentioned in the paragraph above. By leaving about 10 percent of the thermal cover off of the water, it is usually enough heat is released within the dome to help warm the air a noticeable amount. Using a thermal or solar blanket will also cut down on the amount of condensation inside the dome.
Although it is not necessary to do so, some dome owners use a flameless space heater to add a little extra heat in the dome during especially cold days. DO NOT use a space heater with exposed electrical coils as the condensation in the dome will cause it to short out. And, when using other space heaters, be sure they are safe for enclosed spaces. Another option, used on a "baseball dome" that doesn't have a pool, is to place a space heater by the blower - Before using the dome, open the zipper to deflate it a bit, then close the zipper and allow to reinflate with the warmer air. Another customer actually ran a sheetmetal duct from his house to the blower so that the air from his house was used to keep the dome inflated with warm air.
Irregular Shapes: Kidneys, Ovals, "T"s, "L" s, etc..
Our specialty is odd shaped pool domes ! We do not charge extra for the manufacture of irregular shaped domes unless it is "spectacularly" irregular. After 27 years there isn't a lot we haven't seen. We have devised simple methods that easily enable you to measure the exact dome proportions. When your order is placed, we go over it with you thoroughly on the phone. Using our methods, your dome can normally be constructed to within an inch of the measurements provided. Please note that severe "inside"corners can not be accomplished, however they tend to exert excessive strain on the dome and can promote a failure in the material or the "welding"on the seams of the dome. It is much more preferable to use a radius corner in such situations.
Warranty:
The Warranty on your new Aero-Dome is for 3 years against defects in the material or workmanship. The first year is 100%, the second and third years are pro-rated. In reality, a dome should last about 7 years in areas such as the Southwest, and about 10 years in the Northeast. Our factory recently made a replacement dome to replace a unit that was sold 18 years ago ! An annual mild scrubbing with a soft bristled brush and a mild soap solution will extend the life of your dome as this helps prevent the "imbedding" of minute particles into the actual fabric of the vinyl. See the last page of the Owners Manual for warranty information.
Location of Entry and Internal and External Clearance Allowance.
The zippered should be located away from the center of a wall but no closer than 6'6" from the corner. This prevents strain of the walls of the dome. The zipper is 60" high and easily allows a person to enter and exit the dome. Extra zippered entry locations are available for a $70.00 charge. For those situations where a larger entry is required for the movement of furniture or special needs for physical limitations, an "L" zippered entry is available for an additional $150.00. The "L" zipper option is 60" high and 4' wide across the bottom. A plexiglass airlock is available for commercial applications, or full wheel chair accessibility.
When planning the dimensions we urge you to keep this in mind for safety purposes: If at all possible, allow at least 2 to 3 feet around the entire inside perimeter of the dome should the need arise for anyone to leave or enter the water at all locations within the dome.
The walls of the dome with our cable anchor system do not take up much room. A 14 to 16 inch flap is attached to the walls of the dome and sits on the pool deck within the dome. This flap is what makes the air seal from the walls of the dome to the deck. An average wall will "bow" out about 6" when the dome is fully inflated. Please allow enough clearance around the exterior perimeter of the dome to accomodate the movement all domes will experience during severe wind conditions. 2 feet is recommended for this movement and to make the installation and removal of the dome easier, but we have accomplished quality installations in much less space.
Installation:
An Aero-Dome is usually installed by the average homeowner. Due to the weight and bulk of the dome, it is suggested that a minimum of 2 (three is better) persons work to accomplish this. The initial installation takes about 6 hours for the novice. Subsequent re-installations take about 2 hours. Removal, cleaning, and repacking the dome for storage should take about 4 hours.
Shipping and Handling:
Shipping costs obviously vary based on weight, distance, etc. Rontimco will give you an exact quote on shipping and handling.
Repair Kit:
Should the need for a repair become necessary,a repair kit comes with each dome. We don't expect any problems, but if an accident should occur which needs attention, you would be prepared to deal with it. Patching a tear is like patching a bicycle innertube or an air mattress, and if done carefully is hardly noticeable.
Blower Location:
The Blower and pressure switch mechanism is designed to be installed anywhere you choose at the time of installation. The only place the blower system is not recommended to be installed is at a corner (within 4') or at the location of entry. Although the blower is encased in a molded plastic housing, we include an "unfinished" plywood "dog house" to enclose the blower with every dome kit. This will keep any rain or snow from directly falling on the blower assembly. The blower is shipped wired and ready for installation.
Dome Height:
As a general rule, the larger the dome, the higher the center will be. On an average size dome (24x42), the center ceiling height will be approximately 12 - 13'. Height can be affected by temperatures and inside air pressure. The normal wall height on a dome is approximately 6' high. We can make domes with shorter walls, but cannot guarantee the center height. In the case where we would be making a shorter wall system for you, the zippered entry would continue up into the roof of the dome. There would be a slight additional charge for this service.
Fabric and Colors:
Fabrics:
There are only 2 to 3 main suppliers of the raw vinyl materials used to manufacture swimming pool domes and covers in the US market. It is likely that whomever you purchase a dome or cover from, the vinyl for the product will have come from one of these sources. That being said, the quality of the actual vinyl product should vary only to the extent of the manufacturers designs and manufacturing processes used to create the end product. This is where the proven Aero-Dome designs and our manufacturing processes becomes the major factor. With our new Internet Pricing program, our pressure activated economy switch, and 30+ years of experience in the vinyl fabrication industry the choice becomes much easier to make.
Colors:
There are 5 colors available for your Aero-Dome.
Clear, White, Blue, Tan, and Aqua (light green)
Most domes utilize clear walls and a solid color top. Stripes on the top is also a popular choice.
One or more specific walls of a dome can be a color other than clear at minimal charge if privacy is a concern.
For all clear domes, add 15 percent to the base cost of the unit. Clear tops are not recommended as clear dome material "fries out" when exposed to direct sunlight and leads to premature aging. There is no warranty available for clear top domes. The clear material typically ordered for the sidewalls of most domes does not get exposed to the direct ultra-violet rays for long periods of time and therefore lasts for the entire life of the dome.
Time Frames:
During the early summer months we are running about a 10 day turn time. As the summer progresses and more orders are processed from the Internet, this most likely will turn into a 3 to 4 week turn time. These time frames begin upon payment and confirmation of each individual order. This is our 10th season on the Internet and these times will increase or decrease depending on the actual volume of orders generated from it.
It appears we will have another great year in both our Swimming Pool Domes and Swimming Pool Covers. We thank you for your business. It truly is a joy to serve you!
If you have gotten this far, you now know more about swimming pool domes than most sales people ! We Hope This Information Helps You to Make an "Educated" Decision.
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| Rontimco P.O. Box 1696 Chico, California 95927 Int'l phone 530-589-9000 fax 530-5267-7729 email: info@rontimco.com |
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