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Call Now | 519-652-7665 | Custom LeisureScapes: London & Stratford Ontario’s pool, hot tub, and swim spa experts.
You step into your backyard on a beautiful Saturday morning, coffee in hand, ready for a peaceful weekend. But instead of pristine, sparkling water, you see a layer of debris, sunken leaves, and dirt settling at the bottom of the deep end. Suddenly, your relaxing morning turns into a chore involving hoses, priming, and standing in the sun wrestling with a manual vacuum pole.
If you are a pool owner in London, Stratford, or anywhere in Southwestern Ontario, you know this scenario all too well. Your pool should be a place to unwind, not a second job. This is exactly why automated cleaning systems have skyrocketed in popularity. But with various price tags and technologies on the market, the big question remains: Are robotic pool cleaners actually worth the investment?
At Custom LeisureScapes, we believe the short answer is a resounding yes. Let’s break down exactly how automated cleaners compare to manual vacuuming in terms of time saved, energy efficiency, and pure convenience, so you can make the right choice from our lineup of auto cleaners.
The most significant advantage of an automated cleaner is giving you your weekend back.
The Manual Cost: Manually vacuuming a standard pool takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, and it usually needs to be done once or twice a week. That equates to over 40 hours of manual labor throughout a typical Ontario swimming season.
The Automated Solution: With a robotic cleaner, your total hands-on time is reduced to about 2 minutes. You simply drop it in the water, press a button, and walk away. You can run it while you are at work, sleeping, or running errands, ensuring the pool is always swim-ready the moment you step outside.
Not all automatic cleaners are the same. Understanding the difference will help you choose the right tool for your specific pool setup.
Suction-Side Cleaners (The Budget-Friendly Workhorse)
These connect directly to your pool’s skimmer or dedicated suction line. They rely on your main pool pump to move around the bottom and suck up dirt, sending it directly into your main pool filter.
Top Pick: If you have an above-ground pool and are looking for an affordable, reliable entry into automation, the Hayward Penguin Suction Cleaner is an incredible choice. It is charming, easy to install, and eliminates the need for manual vacuuming without breaking the bank. 🐧
True Robotic Cleaners (The Ultimate Upgrade)
Robotic cleaners are entirely independent of your pool’s filtration system. You plug them into a standard GFCI outlet (or they run on batteries), and they use their own internal motors to drive, scrub, and vacuum. They trap debris inside their own internal filter canisters.
Upgrading to a premium robotic model provides benefits that go far beyond just picking up leaves.
Massive Energy Savings: Because they operate independently on low-voltage electricity, robotic cleaners cost pennies per cycle to run. By contrast, running your massive 1.5 HP main pool pump just to power a suction cleaner costs significantly more on your monthly hydro bill.
Less Wear and Tear on Your Equipment: Since robotic cleaners trap dirt in their own canisters, all that heavy debris never reaches your main pool filter. This means you have to backwash less often, saving water, balancing chemicals, and extending the life of your sand or cartridge filter.
Superior Scrubbing Power: Advanced models do not just vacuum; they actively scrub the floor, walls, and waterline.
If you are ready for the absolute best in backyard automation, we highly recommend looking at the Polaris family of cleaners. They are engineered for unmatched performance.
The Powerhouse: The Polaris P955 Robotic Cleaner features 4-wheel drive technology to navigate any pool terrain and climb walls effortlessly. It comes with a customized 7-day programmable timer, a motion-sensing remote, and an “Easy Lift” system that brings the cleaner to the surface and evacuates water so it is light enough for anyone to pull out.
The Cordless Revolution: Hate tangling with cords? The Polaris Freedom Cordless Robotic Cleaner is a game-changer. Powered by a long-lasting lithium-ion battery, it provides premium cleaning power without a single cable crossing your pool deck. It pairs with the iAquaLink app, letting you check battery status and select cleaning modes directly from your phone.
While an automatic cleaner will handle 95% of your daily maintenance, there are times when your pool needs a professional touch—like after a massive summer storm, when you are away on vacation, or when it is time to balance complex water chemistry.
For busy families in London or Stratford who want a completely 100% hands-off experience all season long, Custom LeisureScapes offers our premium Elite Concierge Service. From precise water testing to deep system inspections, our experts take care of everything behind the scenes.
