Zodiac Pool Systems First Manufacturer to Sponsor FPSIE Energy Education Course

SAN DIEGO, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc. (Zodiac) announces its sponsorship of a major energy efficiency training course through its longtime partner, the Foundation for Pool and Spa Industry Education (FPSIE). Zodiac has donated the funds to help train fifty pool professionals in FPSIE's Certified Aquatic Energy Auditor (CAEA) course. The company is the first pool products manufacturer to sponsor energy efficiency training for its customers. To kick off the sponsorship, Zodiac was the featured supplier at a March 10 distributor event at the FPSIE Education Center.  Zodiac's Vice President of Business Development, Vance Gillette, was the motivational speaker and discussed the current and future state of the pool and spa industry.

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The CAEA course was created by FPSIE in partnership with Hanley Wood, LLC and the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF®) as a certification course related to new and future energy efficiency regulations. It covers energy consumption, performing an energy audit, and changing a pool and spa system to be more efficient. Through its development of energy efficient products and by sponsoring energy education to its customers, Zodiac is leading the industry in the move to energy conservation.

While Zodiac and FPSIE are early adopters of energy conservation, the industry as a whole is quickly moving toward energy regulations and ratings systems similar to the Energy Star program developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy. Currently four states have energy regulations including California, Arizona, Texas and Florida, and FPSIE executives expect all 50 states to have pool and spa energy regulations within five years.

Organizations like the EPA and the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) are also developing energy ratings programs for pool and spa products, with estimated launch dates within 2012 or 2013. By sponsoring the CAEA course, Zodiac is ensuring that its pool professional customers are ready when the programs are announced.

At the heart of the momentum toward energy efficiency is consumer demand. By surveying hundreds of pool professionals and consumers in the past several years, Zodiac executives clearly identified the desire for energy efficient options in pool and spa products. At his presentation Gillette spoke on energy efficiency and other consumer desires that affect pool professionals, including psychographics to understand consumer behavior, trends in new construction and renovation, the backyard entertainment business, messaging the pool experience, and ways to exceed customer expectations.

With 45 years experience in the pool industry, Gillette is an industry icon and advocate for the positive pool experience. He has written numerous articles and regularly presents on the growth potential of the pool industry.

"FPSIE is an integral part of the pool and spa industry because they raise the standards of education in our business," said Troy Franzen, Zodiac managing director-Americas. "We believe we're at the center of an historic event that marks the beginning of our industry's evolution toward energy efficient products. With more regulations, ratings, and demand on the horizon, the CAEA course is a great way to develop proficiency in the energy efficiency area. Zodiac Pool Systems is proud to sponsor such an effort and we are happy to support FPSIE and help our customers expand their education."

About Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.

Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Zodiac Marine & Pool, S.A.S., is a global leader in swimming pool and spa products and services. The company's comprehensive product lines are marketed under the leading brand names of Zodiac®, Polaris®, Jandy®, Baracuda®, Nature2®, and Cover-Pools®. Zodiac is the leading provider of premium, innovative pool and spa products and is committed to designing and producing the most energy efficient, earth-friendly pool products and systems available.

Polaris cleaners are the number one recognized brand of pool cleaners worldwide and have enjoyed more than 40 years as the top selling pressure pool cleaner. The new robotics from Polaris display the same high quality engineering, rugged construction and reliability that pool owners have come to expect from the brand. 

To learn more about Zodiac, visit www.zodiacpoolsystems.com or call 800-822-7933.

Contacts:
Lexy Haynes
760-230-2424
[email protected]

SOURCE Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc.