(SARASOTA, FL) – The Pool Industry Council has published the results of a landmark study on swimming pool and spa equipotential bonding methods.  The Pool Industry Council commissioned SunSmart Engineering to independently test commonly used equipotential bonding methods for swimming pools and spas. The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance provided both technical guidance and financial support to this important initiative. The goal of this study is to help the swimming pool and spa industry better understand the equipotential bonding and how the most used methods perform in operational field conditions. 

The study took place from April 7 – June 12, 2025 utilizing nine residential swimming pools in Central Florida. Of the pools tested, three were bonded with an #8 AWG single bonding loop, three with copper reinforcement grids, and three on conductive pools with inline water bond plates and #8 AWG single wire loop. 

Ultimately the study concluded that both bonding methods—#8 AWG copper wire loop and the copper bonding grid— can provide effective equipotential bonding when properly installed. The data shows that under simulated fault conditions up to 120 VAC, nearly all measured voltages yielded current levels well below 2mA when modeled against a 500-ohm human resistance, a widely accepted safety benchmark. “The bottom line is that both methods of perimeter bonding tested, single wire loop and copper grid, work to effectively mitigate equipotential voltage issues and can confidently be used to bond swimming pools and spas when installed properly,” said John Antonelli, P.E. – Vice President of Engineering, SunSmart Engineering.

“We are very happy with the study,” said Pool Industry Council Vicechair Adam Alstott. “This is the most thorough study of swimming pool equipotential bonding methods to date, and we are happy that we can share these results with the industry and public. Our goal with this study is to help the swimming pool and spa industry better understand equipotential bonding through a scientific and data-based approach. This study does that,” concluded Alstott. 

”We are proud to support the Pool Industry Council in advancing critical research that benefits the entire pool and spa community,” said Sabeena Hickman, President and CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. “By providing both technical guidance and financial resources, PHTA is committed to ensuring that our industry has access to the highest quality data and best practices to keep pools and spas safe for everyone.”

“The FSPA is grateful that the Pool Industry Council undertook this study. Studies like this empower the Florida swimming pool and spa industry to be on the leading edge of pooland spa construction, engineering, and design.” Added Florida Swimming Pool Association CEO, Lyndsey Shock. “I encourage everyone in the swimming pool and spa industry to support the work of the Pool Industry Council and join FSPA at FSPA.com to make sure they are getting the latest developments on industry news and education.”

To read the full study report and data, follow the link below: 
https://fspa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Equipot-Bond-Report-FINAL_2025.06.pdf

Rebate programs are one of the most overlooked tools in the pool industry for increasing profitability. They allow business owners to leverage their purchasing power, reinvest savings back into their company, and turn their savings into a lucrative profit.

What Are Rebates and Why Do They Matter?

Let’s start with the basics. Rebates are financial incentives given to buyers after purchasing a product or service. They can be offered as discounts, refunds, or cash back.

Rebates are much more than a simple upfront discount. With discounts, buyers do not have the option to receive cash back, equity, or other collateral in place of a cheaper price for a good or service. Rebates give power back to the buyer by allowing them to choose the incentive they receive for purchasing.

Here are some common types of rebates and how they work:

Loyalty Incentives: Loyalty incentives increase as a buyer continues to purchase from the same vendor over time.

Volume-Based Rebates: Volume-based rebates are exactly as they sound. The more you buy, the more you earn back.

Percent Rebates: Percent rebates return a percentage of the total amount spent to the buyer–kind of like an after-the-fact discount.

Growth Rebates: Growth rebates reward buyers for increasing their purchase volume or value within a certain time frame.

Sales Rebates: These rebates increase in value based on sales amount rather than purchase volume.

How Rebates Support Business Growth

Rebates can do a lot for your business. For example, you can use rebate funds to improve your margins without having to raise prices for customers. Rebate savings can also be reinvested back into your business to encourage growth.

You can use rebate savings to…

Hire new talent and train existing staff

Purchase new equipment, software upgrades, or other assets

Expand your business’ service offerings

Improve customer experience

And more

When you know how to leverage your rebates, the possibilities are endless.

Methods to Maximize Your Rebates

How do you make the most out of your rebates? Here are some key strategies you can use to get started.

Partner With Trusted Vendors Who Offer Competitive Rebate Opportunities

Seeking out vendors with competitive rebate programs can cut costs, increase profit margins, and allow you to offer more competitive pricing to your customers. Additionally, forging mutually beneficial rebate partnerships can strengthen your business relationships with vendors with vendors and help you grow your network.

Just be sure to evaluate the terms and conditions as well as the complexity of a rebate program before signing up. You don’t want to run into complicated administrative burdens for your business down the road.

Plan Purchases Strategically

Planning your purchases with intention allows you to strategically hit rebate tiers and maximize your savings. Pay attention to the rebate programs you participate in. Identify if they are volume, growth, percentage, or sales based and purchase accordingly. For example, if a vendor you work with offers a volume-based rebate, order larger quantities from them upfront rather than spacing out your purchases throughout the year to capitalize on the rebate opportunity.

Track & Manage Rebates Efficiently

Keep a close eye on all aspects of each rebate program you participate in. Read supplier agreements, monitor purchases against those agreements, and pay attention to rebate claim deadlines and terms to ensure timely payment. Additionally, it’s important to read the fine print before signing up for a rebate program so you understand the true cost of a product after factoring in potential rebates.

When it comes to rebates, you want to make sure nothing is left on the table. Tracking your rebates offers several key benefits.

Prevent lost savings: If you don’t stay on top of rebate tracking, you can miss out on deadlines and special offers, preventing you from claiming maximum rebate savings.

Ensure information is accurate: When you stay on top of your rebates, it allows you to double check and ensure you’ve provided the correct information so your rebates are processed properly.

Stay on top of deadlines: Never miss a deadline or have to pay a late fee when you track your rebates meticulously.

Comparison shopping: The more you know about the rebate programs available, the better you will be at determining which rebates are worth it and which are not.

If this all sounds a bit complicated, know you’re not alone. Buying groups and other organizations offer useful tools for tracking and managing rebates, which we will get into in the next section.

Why Group Buying Makes Rebates More Powerful

Teaming up with a buying group provides several benefits that can help you get the most out of rebates and make them more profitable.

Here are just a few benefits that buying groups offer.

Unlock top-tier rebates: Individual pool professionals may not have the purchasing volume to unlock top-tier rebates. However, buying groups use members’ combined purchasing power to secure better rebate opportunities that are not available to individuals and small businesses. Additionally, buying groups can negotiate with vendors for better prices and higher rebate amounts that would otherwise be unavailable to individuals.

Access exclusive vendor programs and tools for smarter purchasing: Buying groups offer their members helpful tools and resources that make getting the most out of rebates easier. For example, United Aqua Group (UAG) members get exclusive access to a sleek online portal where rebate terms, deadlines, and total savings amounts are tracked automatically, eliminating the headaches that come with manual tracking. Plus, buying group membership grants access to vendor programs with added benefits, like exclusive rebates and rewards for members.

There are several financial and professional benefits that you can earn by joining a buying group, including access to more profitable rebate opportunities. Read more about buying groups, what they are, and how they can help your business here.

Start Leveraging Your Purchasing Power
Ready to dive in and start taking full advantage of your purchasing power? Consider a partnership with United Aqua Group (UAG). We help our members get the most out of vendor rebate programs, manage strategic purchasing, and maximize profitability. Through collective buying power and strong vendor relationships, UAG members can achieve savings that wouldn’t be possible on their own. Visit our website to start your partnership today.

In celebration of Earth Day, Beatbot, an innovator in robotic pool cleaning, announces a new partnership with Oceana, the world’s largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Alongside this collaboration, Beatbot unveils its Beatbot For Future Program—a long-term initiative to advance environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and social impact.

Introducing the Beatbot For Future Program

The program allocates a portion of proceeds from select products—including the AquaSense 2 Ultra and the limited-edition RoboTurtle—to fund three key areas:

• Environmental Conservation: Supporting marine ecosystem protection and endangered species initiatives.
• STEM Education & Innovation: Empowering youth in robotics and sustainability programs while advancing energy-efficient robotic solutions.
• Community Outreach: Partnering with nonprofits to drive local welfare projects.

A Strategic Alliance with Oceana

As a cornerstone of the Beatbot For Future Program, the Oceana partnership underscores Beatbot’s commitment to marine preservation. Beatbot will sponsor educational content in Oceana’s Marine Life Encyclopedia and bolster campaigns to protect ocean habitats, sea turtles, and other marine life.

“We’re grateful for Beatbot’s partnership and the chance to engage new audiences in Oceana’s mission,” said Jon Frank, Oceana’s Director of Global Corporate and Celebrity Partnerships. “Their support will help Oceana win campaigns to protect marine life, restore ocean health, and drive impactful campaigns worldwide.”

A Shared Vision for Sustainability

“Teaming up with Oceana on Earth Day reflects our dedication to a greener future,” said York Guo, CMO of Beatbot. “Through the Beatbot For Future Program—and with our customers’ support—we’re investing in lasting change. Sustainability, social responsibility, and a deep commitment to the community and the planet are core to our mission, from our initiatives to our industry-leading 3-year replacement guarantee. We invite like-minded partners to join us in creating real impact.”

With this partnership and program, Beatbot is pioneering a future where technology elevates modern life while protecting the planet.

Learn more:

• Beatbot’s ESG commitments
• Oceana’s conservation campaigns

About Beatbot 

Beatbot is a technology brand dedicated to the global robotization of swimming pool environments. Founded by industry experts with over 10 years of experience in leading home robotics companies, the company is rapidly growing with offices in multiple countries and a strong R&D team comprising 70% of its workforce. Pioneering core technologies like brushless water pumps, AUV spatial locomotion, sonar laser SLAM, and space mapping navigation algorithms, Beatbot has secured over 221 patents (granted and under application), including 128 patents for inventions. The company is committed to redefining pool care, addressing industry challenges, and delivering hassle-free, cutting-edge solutions. For more information about Beatbot and its products visit www.beatbot.com.

About Oceana:  

Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 325 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world.