Geremia Pools

Ninety Years!

2012-01-23T15:19:00.000-08:00

Fortunately, our history is well chronicled. Here is a section from our web site.

A company built on values

When Frank Geremia Sr. immigrated to California in 1915, he did so with a vision of building a company of unsurpassed quality. By 1922, he formed Angelo and Frank, a business partnership in cement contracting. You can still see the Angelo & Frank stamp on concrete curbs in downtown Sacramento. In 1949 when Angelo retired, the company became known as F. Geremia & Sons. In 1970 , the building of the Chinatown Gate that overlooks the Chinatown Mall in downtown Sacramento was one of their most profiled construction jobs. This construction business provided the foundation that flourishes today in the hands of third and fourth generation Geremia pool builders. With family roots in Venice, Italy, you might say the Geremia family has "water in their veins."

The early years

The business diversified into swimming pools in 1937 and eventually became the most prominent pool builder in the Sacramento Valley. The first pool was an above-ground combined water-reservoir and swimming pool on Spanish Ranch in Pleasant Grove.

Chinatown Mall

Cal-Expo Moats

The transition to the next generation started when Frank passed the torch to his eldest son Gene. Shortly thereafter Gene's brother Robert (Bob) joined what was then called F. Geremia & Sons. Then in 1949 Anthony (Tony), another brother, joined upon graduating from the University of the Pacific -finished on a Friday and started that Monday. It was a small company at the time with only six to eight people working hard to develop the business. Ten years later, Frank Jr. graduated from Notre Dame turning away a football career to join the company, which had then diversified into a concrete, engineering and swimming pool construction company. Frank was shoveling sand into the gunite machine within a week of graduation.

F. Geremia & Sons grew by building such landmark projects in the Sacramento area as the Chinatown Mall that links Down Town Plaza to Old Sacramento. They also built the South Land Park Pumping Plant, the canals that meander throughout the central part of Cal Expo, the fountain at Cal Expo, and the multi-level concrete steps that lead to the exposition buildings. The company built the sewer and drain system for Orangevale and parts of Citrus Heights. They worked with other contractors too, doing all of the concrete work in the construction of St. Mary’s Church in East Sacramento.

Over the years the commitment to “Quality without Compromise” along with good customer service and superb construction techniques became the company hallmark. With society becoming more affluent, the back yard swimming pool became a reality for more and more families. By the early 1960’s, the sons developed Geremia Pools, Inc. into the foremost pool company in the Sacramento Valley.

When commercial swimming pools became a popular feature in schools, sports clubs,apartments, and hotels, Geremia Pools, Inc. became the builder of choice. Early commercial projects included the swimming pool at California State University, Sacramento, most of the local high school swimming pools and the Clunie Pool at McKinley Park in East Sacramento. Today they continue to be the contractor’s choice, building commercial pools for major hotel chains, schools, and sports clubs.

In 1962, Geremia Pools, Inc. was a founding member of the Master Pools Guild—a group of top swimming pool builders across the United States that shared professional business and technical ideas in order to better meet the challenges of the growing swimming pool market place.


Gene	Tony	Bob	Frank Jr.

Third and fourth generation

Each generation has learned the business from the bottom up, working with the crews during school summer vacations. It has been no different for the third and fourth generations. They joined to fully embrace the family business that has been such a part of their lives. No longer a small company, each family member who has joined the company has specialized in a different area of expertise—from construction, service, sales, administration, and management—all committed to the ultimate goal of building a quality swimming pool and providing excellent customer service.

Today, Mike Geremia is president of Geremia Pools Inc. He oversees the swimming pool design team and the office staff that is made up of some family members along with committed long-term employees. Robbie Geremia runs the construction end of the business managing all of the in-house construction crews and dedicated area supervisors. Cathy Del Chiaro (Geremia) and Patty Roth (Geremia) manage the Service Department. Marc Del Chiaro, Katie Roth, and Brian Geremia represent the fourth generation.

Robbie & Mike Geremia

“It works because everyone has put in their dues and has worked up through the organization” says Mike Geremia. “We are all proud of our heritage and have an undisputed commitment to quality, and customer service that make us all work so well together and earned us an unparalleled reputation for dependability and quality within the greater Sacramento region."

Already Three Weeks at Geremia Pools

2011-07-22T10:42:00.000-07:00

Marc Del Chiaro, Brandon Koch, Jean-Michel Richard, Robbie Geremia

Hello readers, this is Jean-Michel, the Geremia's relative from France.

I have already spent three weeks at the company and I would like to share my experience with you. My favorite part of the job is creating the best strategy for selling products online with Brian, Marc, and Scott. This Monday, we received a new counter for the store in the showroom and we are organizing the display.

The two weeks since my first article have permitted me to know and appreciate each member of my family; every day I am happy to wake up because I know that I will see my family and work in a warm atmosphere. As the weeks pass, I am more self-confident. I am in charge of more and more important tasks and I like this evolution.

I try to talk with some customers to improve my English and because I like to be in relation to people in general. Sometimes, the family asks my opinion about shop organization or asks to hear my opinion about the company system. I am happy when I can propose some improvements.

A new Geremia at Geremia Pools!

2011-07-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Geremia Pools is happy to welcome Jean-Michel Richard to Sacramento; Jean-Michel is a Geremia relative from France and this is his first trip to the United States! He will intern with us for the summer, helping with various tasks around the office.

Jean-Michel will share reflections on his internship as a way to improve his English -- he is doing very well!

L to R: Brian Geremia, Mike Geremia, Scott Geremia, Jean-Michel Richard, Cathy Del Chiaro (Geremia), Patty Roth (Geremia), Marc Del Chiaro, Katie Roth

Jean-Michel

I will introduce myself: my name is Jean-Michel; I am visiting to learn about my family’s business from France. I arrived last Tuesday as part of an intership for my family company with the desire to work well. I was warmly welcomed; they introduced me to all of the employees and showed me the differents parts of the building and the warehouse. I began working the same day by cleaning swimming pool filters and sending packages to online customers. My tasks are simple but useful for the company. Each morning, I am very glad to go to work because I can see my family and improve my English.

Geremia Pools - Designer Profile

2011-04-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

We are thankful for our talented designers!

Today, a conversation with...

Wanda Campbell

What is your professional background?

My background consists mostly of sales; I started out as a manufacturer sales rep with a really strong customer service practice and later worked into design and landscaping for swimming pools and construction. Initially, I went to a local community college for landscape design, ultimately finding my way into construction and swimming pool design.

What sparked your interest in pools?

I had a friend who was designing and selling pools and after taking the classes for landscape design, I realized that there were already plenty of landscapers out there. I figured a pool designer with landscape experience would fend well when selling a potential customer on the big picture of their backyard. So, I decided upon pools to strategically expand my horizons and to do something that I enjoy – being creative through designing and drawing.

What do you consider your expertise?

I consider my expertise to be the ability to take the customer’s desires and wishes and create a design that addresses both function and aesthetic. It is always a pleasure when a couple is involved to meet both of their expectations adequately. Additionally, with my landscape background I am strong when it comes to balancing the spatial relationship between the softscape and the hardscape.

Are there any consumer trends in the pool industry?

There are trends when it comes to pool style. Customers either want a rectangular pool that is formal or a more free form, natural design with boulders and rockwork. There are also trends when it comes to concrete and decking; stamped concrete, for instance, was very popular at one time. So, there are trends like that in the pool industry but ultimately it comes down to personal taste. These days people are gravitating toward water features. There isn’t necessarily a leaning toward a specific type of pool, but they realize that water features can be beneficial and soothing.

What is your design style/aesthetic?

I really don’t have a specific style. It is very mixed because I am constantly running into people with different tastes, so I am able to accommodate multiple tastes.

What are some important things for buyers to consider?

Some important things for customers to think about are how they plan going to use the pool and how it will function. There are many factors: size, shape, depth, width, decking, safety, traffic flow, etc. A lot of people have lived in the home long enough to realize how they use the space and how they’d like to use the space. Of course, budget is important, taking into account ongoing operating expenses and maintenance costs. When choosing specific components, it is very important to consider the value of what they are building and the longevity of each piece.

Are there things about swimming pools that buyers do not realize?

Buyers often do not realize that a pool is not a pool is not a pool. It is easy to think of a pool as a singular product, but it is really a very dynamic product with many choices that influence the quality of the final pool. Quality construction by Geremia means lasting and real value for your dollar. A realtor will even advertise a house with a Geremia pool if we built it; otherwise, it is just a house with a pool.

What is a lesson you have learned?

The best lesson I’ve learned over the years is that you really do get what you pay for. Quite often I talk to people who regret going with the lowest bid – I feel bad for them. Even in my own life I find it is important to shop for quality, not price. There are a lot of clever sales people out there and homeowners open their doors to people thinking and wanting to believe they will all tell the truth. But I find that many homeowners are being told what it takes to make the sale. This is a big purchase and you need to do your homework when choosing a company.

Why should someone choose Geremia Pools, even if the bid is often more expensive than others?

When I am talking to people about Geremia Pools, I mention that we have a strong reputation within the industry and it comes from doing quality work, charging a fair price for the work and following up to make sure people are happy with what they have purchased. In our industry there are a lot of differences in the way things are built. It has to do with the company making very intentional choices about construction and Geremia is consistent in their goal and mission for quality construction. In addition to using the best materials and employing highly qualified workers, in my 14 years with the company I have learned they are very fair and adaptable when dealing with issues during and after construction.

What is an example of a conscious construction choice?

There are many examples, but I have seen pictures of work where the plumbing is undersized or there are too many bends which effects efficiency and water flow. The quality of the gunite shot into the pool also has a big impact on the structural integrity of the pool. A lot of companies try to sell the quality of the steel over the gunite, but it is the structure of the concrete that needs to hold up over time. Each step of a project can create a better product and each time Geremia chooses the best. As with any type of construction, if there is attention to detail, you are going to realize a better product.

Have there been any major industry changes over time?

The most notable change within the industry is that equipment is becoming more energy efficient, whether it has to do with pumps and motors or items that are available for keeping the water clean, balanced and pure. Geremia has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to applying efficient, effective technology to the swimming pool. We are part of the Master Pools Guild, which recognizes top pool builders in different regions throughout the world. There is a lot of testing that goes on with equipment within the industry and we don’t bring it on until it is tried and true and until there is a manufacturer’s product that has proven to be the best. Installing energy efficient products has a higher installation cost, but it translates to long–term savings for the customer and a vastly improved system.

What is Geremia Pools’ perspective on water quality?

Geremia focuses on using fewer chemicals to treat water and relying on sound technology instead. It started out with mineral bed cartridges, then salt generators, then ozone creators. Now, in efforts to use as little chlorine as possible, we have shifted to UV technology, which is what water treatment centers use to clean water. It is the only technology that kills bacteria and viruses.

What has your experience been like when talking to customers about GeoSmart?

Interest in GeoSmart is very high. I get the impression that when it is time to replace heating and air units, this is the way people want to go. So, it is just a matter of timing and finding someone who is interested and in a position to change out their equipment. In the installations we have done we have been able to realize a huge cost savings in ongoing monthly savings in utilities as well as the customer realizing a 30% tax credit for following the green-movement.

What sparks your creativity?

By the time I sit down to create a design I have spent hours with the customer, visualizing what is going to happen and it is just a matter of getting it on paper. What sparks me is the customer’s enthusiasm for the project. I find that I am able to exhibit as much enthusiasm as they do and inject that into my design.

What do you tell customers interested in Arctic Spas?

When a customer wants a spa I try to find out what they are expecting from a spa. If they are interested in the aesthetics of a water feature and having a warm place to relax, we can build an in-ground spa to go with the pools. But if they want more of a therapeutic massage option and plan to use the spa a lot, we have the ability to sell above ground portable spas. We sell Arctic Spas, which we believe are the best on the market. We have the ability to cover three categories of price ranges and offer energy efficient, well insulated, spas. We have different spas for different budgets, lifestyles and tastes.

Sign up for email updates!

2011-03-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

We won't bother you!

We'll just send you worthwhile discounts and tips about taking care of your pool.

Thanks!

- GP

Chemical Matrix from E-Z Clor

2011-03-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes water chemistry seems like a mystery.

This is useful matrix provided by E-Z Clor.

Geremia Pools conducts computerized water testing to identify exactly what your pool needs and we carry these E-Z Clor products in our showroom and online.

You can also find more information about water chemistry on the E-Z Clor website.

Water Balance Adjustment	E-Z CLOR Product Needed
To Raise pH	pH Up
To Lower pH	pH Down
To Raise Total Alkalinity	Alkalinity Up
To Raise Calcium Hardness	Calcium Hardness Up
To Lower Calcium Hardness	See your E-Z CLOR Dealer (You can also contact G-pools!)
To Prolong the Life of Chlorine	Stabilizer

Master Pools Guild

2010-10-04T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Master Pools Guild is a global network of elite pool builders who share building techniques and creative ideas to propel the industry forward.

For anyone considering a swimming pool, the guild's web site is a great place to gather information; visit the 'planning your poolscape' section for wonderful introductory materials, including the video below.

Geremia Pools is proud to be a member of the Master Pools Guild.

GeoSmart Presentation to NARI

2010-09-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

Mike Geremia, President of Geremia Pools and Jason Hanson, President of Sierra Pacific, explain the benefits and operations of a GeoSmart heating and cooling system.

TRANSCRIPT:

Text:
GeoSmart is a hybrid geothermal technology that uses energy from your swimming pool and energy stored undergound to heat and cool your home.

Text:
From a presentation to members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Mike Geremia:
We need to have the consumers made aware of what's going on. They have an asset in their backyard or if they are going to put in a pool they are putting in more than just a pool. We see this (GeoSmart) as redefining what a swimming pool is to a homeowner. Geothermal is a product that has made its name all over the country except for primarily here in the west. It is starting to take hold and what we've found here is that we have a great storage facility in a lot of these homes. The pool has the capacity to store in the neighborhood of 7-8 million BTUs at very low temperatures -- at winter temperatures, actually. So we're fortunate that there are only 100,000 pools in Northern California for us to draw upon! It really is a way to go.

Text :
Why is geothermal the way to go?

Jason Hanson:
Traditional heating and cooling systems make up the majority of utility costs of a home. Upgrading the equipment is the solution is the solution to that -- with a geothermal heat pump, we can do that more efficiently than any other system available. Everybody would have a geothermal heat pump if they could get one.

Text:
But...

Jason Hanson:
The traditional way of putting that heat into the ground is to drill deep wells and put these ground loops into the earth. That is expensive, messy, and takes up a little bit of space. Even when you do go down and vertical, just the equipment itself takes space. So a traditional urban or suburban lot is not really a good candidate for geothermal because of that.

Text:
GeoSmart eliminates the barriers to geothermal technology...

Jason Hanson:
Now, suddenly, because of the exchange we can do with the GeoSmart system, we can actually use that pool; we can actually take the body of water that's there and eliminate all this expensive drilling and wells and mess and the problems that come with that. Now we can actually use a geothermal system in any neighborhood within the metropolitan area. That's a fantastic opportunity. Now, those people that wanted to use a geothermal system actually can consider one.

Text:
GeoSmart is a hybrid geothermal system...

Mike Geremia:
So, as you can see, GeoSmart really is a hybrid and we call it a hybrid because we have two or three panels in the ground; the ground here in this northern California region is 67-68 degrees, year round. So, depending on the season and when you are heating, the fluid that we're pumping through that has a pretty good temperature differential and that really lends itself to the operation of a geothermal heat pump. When we're heating the house we're basically going to try to take heat out of the pool and out of the ground and what we're finding is that as we take the heat out of the pool, it is transferring heat up through the shell really well. So it is maintaining that warm temperature. When we get down to the freezing temperatures, with a cover on top of this surface, the temperature is not going to be 50 like it normally is, it's going to be 46-47, but that is still a lot of heat to heat your house sufficiently. With the pool and the panels drawing heat out of the ground, we're finding that the system is adjusted just perfectly for this region, having one panel per three tons. In the heating mode, it is working beautifully. In the cooling mode, we're getting the same kind of conditions in taking heat out of the house. We're dispersing heat into the pool as well as into the ground. What does that do, though? In the Sacramento region we have some pretty hot days. We're raising that pool temperature up a fair amount, but even on our hottest days, the evening is in the 70 degree range. Our challenge is to continue to lower the pool temperature to an acceptable level. By simply circulating at night -- we have water features and solar panels that act as radiators. We're running tests on that and we're able to get the pool temp down very easily to allow the next days absorbsion of the 3-4 degrees that we're actually pumping into the pool on a day-to-day basis. The simplicity of the system just kind of boggles the mind, really. There is not much else to what we are doing.

Text:
GeoSmart is quiet, reliable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly...and can save you up to 70% on utility bills!

Text:
Think smart, GeoSmart!

geosmarttechnology.com

GeoSmart Technology - An Overview

2010-09-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

Geo Smart Technology by Geremia Pools

View more presentations from bgeremia.

Geremia Pools and Sierra Pacific have partnered to host two seminars on GeoSmart. It is important to build understanding about GeoSmart from the ground up (pun 1), educating homeowners and builders on its fantastic benefits. Once the concept sinks in (pun 2), it qualifies as a proverbial 'no brainer.'

Before that, though...we do need some brain power to soak up the simple science.

Geothermal energy is a form renewable energy that is commonly used to generate electricity; heat is pulled from the earth to produce steam that spins a turbine, which initiates a mysterious magnetic phenomenon that produces electricity.

This is fantastic(!), but GeoSmart does not generate electricity.

Instead, GeoSmart utilizes the energy in a swimming pool and the heat stored undergound to heat and cool your home. Traditional geothermal heating and cooling systems are not new; ancient Romans used an elementary version and east-coasters have been using it for years. But there's a catch -- to install a traditional geothermal system, you need access to a water source. Some have a pond or lake on their property, so this is not a problem. Most others, though, have to drill (and drill and drill), until they strike aqua-gold.

As you might imagine, this process is very expensive! It also requires lots of space, which often lacks in Sacramento's sprawling, suburban communities.

GeoSmart is an innovative hybrid geothermal system because it eliminates the need for expensive drilling; instead, it uses a swimming pool as the water source to facilitate a simple heat transfer between the heat in the ground and the heat in your home (we can get into the engineering science later!).

For simplicity's sake, a liquid combination of swimming pool water and anti-freeze is circulated to and from a home to transfer heat in the desired direction. When it is cold inside your home, the liquid solution transfers heat from the pool and the ground to your house. Reverse the process when it's hot and the liquid solution transfers heat from your home back into the earth (and the pool).

The temperature underground remains relatively constant year round, so the system works efficiently during the hottest days of summer and coldest days of winter. The earth, in its 4 billion years of maturity, has learned how to stabilize itself and compensate for outlying conditions. We, in our relative cultural adolescence, are simply trying to perfect how to take advantage of the earth's kind stability.

GeoSmart nudges us in the right direction, offering a grand alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems that over-exert to transfer heat. These systems are loud and inefficient and function poorly when needed most. A traditional air-conditioner cannot keep up on the hottest days of summer; it's not the air-conditioner's fault -- there is simply nowhere to deposit the excess heat. Similarly, in the winter, the system must extract heat from cool air, not an optimal heating strategy.

These processes are taxing and translate directly into high utility costs. GeoSmart eliminates these problems by tapping into the most simple resource of all -- the ground! GeoSmart is quiet, reliable, and energy efficient...and it will save you up to 70% on utility bills.

No brainer -- I think so!

Geremia Pools & Arctic Spas

2010-09-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

Geremia Pools happily sells Arctic Spas, the finest above-ground spas on the market.

The benefits of spa-ownership are far-reaching and installing one in your home can be a practical addition or alternative to an in-ground custom swimming pool. Owning a spa gives year-round life to your backyard; when temperatures turn in the Fall and your swimming pool begins its hibernation, your spa can fill the void and be the focal point of Fall & Winter entertaining.

Spas and 'hot tubs' carry different connotations for different people, but relaxation is the common theme. In today's high-stress culture, few people devote adequate time to their own well-being. Despite a caricatured perception of a me-first, self-absorbed population, many find it difficult to squeeze in time for authentic reflection and personal-care -- time on the treadmill and hours in front of the tube are often the only feasible options to fit into a long day, but those rarely provide long-term value.

As nearly anyone could attest, spending time in the spa is soothing -- spas provide a venue for quiet reflection or interaction with friends and family and help align us with natural aquatic rhythms that our bodies silently crave. Spas can also provide benefits through hydrotherapy and aroma therapy, helping relax body and mind.

Arctic Spas are energy efficient because of their Heatlock insulation and heat-saving design. They are also easy to maintain and simple to embellish with cedar accessories like steps, wrap-around bar counters, barstools and plant holders.

If you are considering an above ground spa, Geremia Pools has Arctic Spas available for viewing in its showroom. Cheers to relaxation!

Integrating Social Media into an 88-Year-Old Company

2010-08-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

The first Geremia pool.

Geremia Pools has remained successful for 88 years because of personal relationships and honest, respectable business practices. In today's digital culture, the importance of authenticity and honesty have not disappeared, it has just been enveloped by the veneer of a new medium -- social media!

Friend requests, quippy tweets, fan pages and user reviews add a new layer to the internal operations of a time-tested family business, but they do not deter from the task at hand -- for us, building quality swimming pools and providing customers with personalized, warm and engaging service. The same qualities that appear throughout the Geremia design, construction and repair processes should be apparent with our use of social media.

Popular business and marketing writer, Seth Godin, captures this accurately:

As the amount of inputs go up, as the number of people and ideas that clamor for attention continue to increase, we do what people always do: we rely on the familiar, the trusted and the personal.

The experience I have with you as a customer or a friend is far more important than a few random bits flying by on the screen. The incredible surplus of digital data means that human actions, generosity and sacrifice are more important than they ever were before.

While Geremia Pools has increased its number of 'random bits flying by on the screen' through Facebook, Twitter and this blog, the goal is simply to add an element of modernity to an otherwise unchanged business model. Personal interaction and quality work are still the hallmarks of the Geremia Pools experience.

Hopefully, the links that circulate within the vast social web will lead a few interested customers to our Web site, or to the phone, where they will learn about Geremia Pools' commitment to building quality swimming pools without compromise.

And, in between, maybe they'll stumble across an interesting blog article!

The Value of Reputation when Bidding in a Down Economy

2010-08-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Winning a contract is difficult, particularly in a bad economy, when the bottom line creates pressures that leak into every aspect of a business.

Builders and trade contractors discussed this topic during a panel discussion hosted by the North State Building Industry Association on Thursday, August 26. Builders acknowledged clearly that while there are no absolute directives to choose the lowest bid for any given project, they must consider the lowest, most qualified bidder based solely on budget. Yet an important sidebar followed -- bottom line aside, builders noted that the reputation of a bidder still holds tremendous value.

So, the current economic context creates a curious situation for contractors who are eager to keep work-flow steady in order to stay afloat. For companies with a low-bid model, this market works to their advantage; they simply continue offering low-bids and get more jobs, which seems viable for the short-term.

For other companies, there is a dilemma: stay competitive by potentially sacrificing business standards and offering lower bids OR continue providing bids based on service and standards and incur a possible dip in work-flow.

This is not an easy decision.

Focusing on long-term sustainability, Geremia Pools believes that staying committed to high standards of quality and service is the right strategy. For Geremia Pools, providing lower bids requires decreasing standards; while this may help win contracts in the short-term, it may, over time, translate into a worse reputation.

Builders and homeowners may continue to choose low-bids until the economy turns around, but they quietly recognize the value high standards and a good reputation, which will offer substantial benefits in the long-run.

Reputation reaps rewards.

GeoSmart Seminar for NARI Members

2010-08-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

Geremia Pools and Sierra Pacific are hosting an informational seminar on GeoSmart for members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Sacramento Chapter. The seminar will include a technical overview GeoSmart, information on how it can be incorporated into remodel projects, and a question/answer/conversation period.

Details:

Wednesday, September 8
6:00 - 8:00 PM

3665 Bleckley St., Suite 101
Mather, CA 95655

Register online or call 916.914.7800.

GeoSmart is a hybrid geothermal system that uses the energy in your pool and the energy stored underground to heat and cool your home. GeoSmart is energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and can save you up to 70% on your energy bills.

Greenwise Sacramento & Hyper-Localism

2010-08-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Mayor Kevin Johnson is setting the bar high for Sacramento, prompting the city to become a noteworthy hub for green-technology and innovation.

Greenwise Sacramento has become the region's 'green collective,' bringing together professionals across the environmental spectrum to articulate a clear plan for the city's forward motion. Key groups involved include SACOG, Sacramento's regional planning agency, and SARTA, an organization that fosters entrepreneurial growth in emerging technologies. Further collaboration between SMUD, PG&E, local and state government agencies, urban designers, building professionals and involved citizens will ideally culminate in a pointed action plan that will propel Sacramento to the height of the green-movement.

As any visionary organization should, Greenwise is casting wide and thinking big, creating a swell of local energy and excitement. On Tuesday, August 17, Greenwise held its Monthly Taskforce Meeting where guest speaker Gavin Newsom candidly and humorously shared insights into how San Francisco has succeeded in reaching many of its green-goals. Citing the need for stewardship at the city level, Mayor Newsom reminded the audience that 'the global is simply a sum of all the local' -- a message worth noting. Sacramento is localizing successfully through Greenwise, harnessing the momentum of years past and capsulizing the city's determination for becoming a leader in all-things-green.

Yet what constantly churns underneath, turning the pages slowly, is hyper-localism, where businesses, organizations, and individuals commit to a vision and enact it through real-world applications of goals set-forth in planning documents.

Geremia Pools has been a fixture in Sacramento for many years; Geremia is now serving the Greenwise vision hyper-locally, implementing GeoSmart Technology, a hybrid geothermal system that uses the energy in a swimming pool and the energy stored underground to heat and cool homes. GeoSmart substantially decreases carbon emissions and operates at a 400% efficiency rating, using stored solar energy as a heat source and the ground as a reliable heat sink. Most importantly, GeoSmart can save home-owners up to 70% on energy bills. GeoSmart is a simple, creative innovation that transforms a swimming pool from a backyard luxury into a practical, energy efficient money-saver.

GeoSmart provides a tangible, infrastructural transformation in residential homes that translates on the surface into cheaper energy bills and a lower carbon footprint, but more importantly, an increased individual awareness of the intricate and powerful ecological systems we live within.

Innovative technologies like GeoSmart indicate that Sacramento is beginning to take the leap.

[Read the Sacramento News & Review article on Greenwise here.]

Ask the Service Department - Pool Maintenance

2010-08-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Marc Del Chiaro, Geremia Pools' Service Department Manager, answers a question about pool maintenance...

What are the three most important aspects of maintaining a swimming pool?

1.) Preventative maintenance. If a pool owner pays attention to what the pool will or may need and tackles problems before they cause headaches, the pool owner ends up saving in the long run. For example, by purchasing a Geremia Pools Preferred Service Agreement (PSA) a customer can receive a full system check-up by a technician to learn about equipment upgrades, water balance, plaster condition and energy efficiency. Once upgrades and other repairs are identified, the PSA saves the customer 15% on all parts, tax and labor!

2.) Water Chemistry. Proper chemical balance following the Langlier Saturation Index, pH, total alkalinity, calcium, chlorine, TDS and phosphates will keep you swimming in a safe, sanitized, healthy pool. Consistently paying attention to water chemistry will cause fewer headaches and lead to a longer lasting swimming pool. Geremia Pools offers complete water examinations at our main office location and sells swimming pool chemicals on a convenient online store with free delivery in the Sacramento area.

3.) Maintain up-to-date equipment. Variable speed, energy efficient, properly sized and programmed equipment can help ease your mind by lowering your energy bills, turning your pool green (the good, environmentally conscious kind!) and helping you avoid equipment inefficiencies. Be sure you clean your filters, lubricate your o-rings and take care of leaks. The Geremia Pools Service Department can help you identify equipment upgrades. The PSA will ensure that these items are taken care.

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

2010-08-16T13:36:00.000-07:00

Swimming pools, symbolic of leisurely summer afternoons and joyful splashing, can create dangerous situations if pool safety is not taken seriously.

To emphasize the importance of pool safety, especially amongst children, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act went into effect on December 19, 2008, requiring public pools to retrofit their drains to reduce the number of drowning and suction entrapment instances.

In Sacramento, enforcement has tightened as many public pools are being closed for non-compliance, prompting a retrofit scramble in order to stay open.

Laurie McGreevy of Geremia Pools is leading the VGB charge in Sacramento, helping public pool operators become compliant as quickly as possible. She kindly answered a few questions:

What is the Virginia Graeme-Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act?
The Virginia Graeme-Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act is a federal law that was passed in Dec., 2007 and went into effect Dec., 2008. Its purpose is to reduce drowning and injuries associated with pool drains. It specifies that swimming pool and spa drain covers meet specific performance requirements and if a pool or spa has a single main drain, other than an unblockable drain, it must have a ‘safety vacuum release system’ on each pump to prevent entrapment.

Who does it apply to?
The law applies to every ‘public’ pool or spa in the United States of America

What is the best way to become compliant?
Contact a qualified licensed contractor who is licensed to perform this specific type of work and have an evaluation of your pool and/or spa made. They will be able to tell you what will be required to bring your pool or spa compliant

Is this a Federal or State law?
Both, California adopted their version of the federal law in Oct, 2009.

How many pools as Geremia Pools retrofitted?
Geremia Pools has retrofitted hundreds of pools and spas.

To learn about how to become compliant, call Geremia Pools at 916.914.7800.

Geremia Launches Online Store

2010-08-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

Save 10% on all chemicals and even more with weekly specials on our most popular items! Take advantage of great prices and FREE DELIVERY within the Sacramento area.

www.geremiapools.myshopify.com

The first 20 customers will receive a FREE Preferred Service Agreement (PSA), valued at $120.

A PSA helps you keep your pool operating at optimal condition. With a PSA, you receive:

15% off all repairs and labor for one year
Computerized water analysis
Complete system check-up