Achieve Healthy, Comfortable Pool Water with Clear Comfort’s AOP System Featuring Jessica Werner

The Future of Pool Sanitation: Beyond Traditional Chlorine

Imagine swimming in water so clean it rivals drinking water quality, with minimal chemical irritation and that harsh chlorine smell we've all come to accept as normal. This isn't a pipe dream—it's the reality that advanced oxidation process (AOP) systems are bringing to pools across the country. In a recent episode of the Pool Chasers Podcast, Jessica Werner from Clear Comfort shed light on how their innovative AOP technology is revolutionizing pool water treatment, offering a healthier, more comfortable swimming experience for pool owners who want the best for their families.

For too long, pool owners have had to choose between crystal-clear water and comfort. Traditional chlorine systems, while effective at sanitization, often come with unwanted side effects: red, irritated eyes, dry skin, bleached swimwear, and that unmistakable pool smell that clings to you long after you've toweled off. But what if there was a better way?

Understanding Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) Technology

At its core, Clear Comfort's system represents a significant leap forward in pool sanitation technology. Unlike traditional methods that rely heavily on chlorine, AOP systems use a completely different approach to water treatment.

Clear Comfort is an advanced oxidation sanitation system or an AOP unit. What AOP actually stands for is advanced oxidation process. What that means is it uses hydroxyl radicals to sanitize the water. They're one part hydrogen and one part oxygen.

— Jessica Werner, Pool Chasers Podcast

These hydroxyl radicals are incredibly powerful sanitizing agents—in fact, they're one of the most potent oxidizers available. What makes them particularly effective is their immediate action upon contact with contaminants in the water.

They're really powerful, super potent. They go in the return line, combine with pathogens, bacteria, whatever's in there and destroy them right on contact.

— Jessica Werner, Pool Chasers Podcast

What sets Clear Comfort apart from other AOP systems on the market is their unique single-stage process. While most AOP systems combine UV light with ozone to create hydroxyl radicals, Clear Comfort takes a different approach. Their system produces O1 gas (single oxygen) and injects it directly into the pool's return line, where it combines with the hydrogen naturally present in the water to create those powerful hydroxyl radicals.

The Clear Comfort Advantage: Who Benefits Most?

Clear Comfort's AOP system isn't necessarily for every pool owner—it's positioned as a premium upgrade for those prioritizing health and comfort. The ideal candidates are health-conscious families who want to minimize their exposure to chemicals without compromising on water quality.

Ideal customer for Clear Comfort is anybody who's health conscious. It's definitely not a necessity on every single pool. It's more of a luxury add. You can treat a pool with regular chlorine and be perfectly fine with that, but if you're looking to lower the chemicals in that pool, you're looking to get away from any irritation, any chlorine smell, all those things that go along with owning a pool.

— Jessica Werner, Pool Chasers Podcast

The system has proven particularly beneficial for:

• Families with sensitive skin conditions: Pool owners dealing with eczema have reported significant improvements in comfort levels
• Cancer patients and survivors: Those looking to minimize chemical exposure during treatment or recovery
• Athletes and fitness enthusiasts: Major league sports teams use Clear Comfort on their hydrotherapy tubs
• Commercial facilities: Gyms, universities, and training facilities where water quality is paramount

Notable installations include facilities at the University of Arizona, spring training facilities, and major gym chains like Lifetime Fitness. These high-traffic environments benefit enormously from the superior water quality and reduced chemical dependency that AOP systems provide.

Practical Implementation: Installation and Maintenance

One of the most appealing aspects of Clear Comfort's system is its user-friendly design. The installation consists of two main components: an orange control unit that remains permanently mounted, and a blue cartridge unit that contains the actual AOP technology.

The maintenance routine is refreshingly simple compared to traditional pool systems. Pool owners don't need any special tools or technical expertise to maintain their AOP system.

The maintenance on it is very simple and there's no tools needed to go out and do that. That orange side will never come off the wall. The control side stays hooked up and the blue side is actually the cartridge itself so when you go out and do the maintenance on it it actually just unclips off the Clear Comfort just like a Lego.

— Jessica Werner, Pool Chasers Podcast

The system even tells you when maintenance is due through a simple color-coded indicator system:

• Green light: System operating normally
• Yellow light: Approximately 80% of cartridge life used—time to order a replacement
• Red light: Cartridge needs immediate replacement

For a typical 20,000-gallon pool running 24/7, cartridge replacement occurs approximately every 13 months, making it a low-maintenance solution for busy families.

Optimizing Water Chemistry with AOP Systems

One of the most significant benefits of Clear Comfort's system is the dramatic reduction in required chlorine levels. Traditional pools typically maintain chlorine levels between 1-3 parts per million (ppm), but with an AOP system, these levels can be reduced to near drinking-water standards.

The recommended chlorine levels with Clear Comfort range from 0.5 to 1.0 ppm, depending on system runtime:

• 24/7 operation: 0.5 ppm chlorine residual
• 18-hour daily operation: 1.0-1.5 ppm chlorine residual

This correlation between runtime and required chlorine levels makes sense when you consider that the AOP system only treats water when the pump is running. During downtime, traditional sanitization methods must take over, necessitating slightly higher chlorine levels for shorter runtime schedules.

The beauty of this approach is that pool owners can choose their preferred balance between energy costs (from extended pump runtime) and chemical reduction. Even at reduced runtime schedules, the chemical levels remain significantly lower than traditional systems while maintaining superior water quality.

Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability

Clear Comfort demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental responsibility that extends beyond just reducing chemical usage in pools. Their entire system is built with sustainability in mind, from construction materials to end-of-life recycling programs.

The company manufactures their systems using aluminum construction, chosen specifically for its durability and recyclability. When cartridges reach the end of their useful life, Clear Comfort operates a core exchange program that ensures materials are properly recycled and reused rather than ending up in landfills.

This environmental consciousness aligns perfectly with the growing trend of eco-friendly pool ownership, where families seek to minimize their environmental impact without sacrificing the enjoyment and health benefits of pool ownership.

Making the Investment: Cost Considerations and Long-term Value

While Clear Comfort positions their AOP system as a premium upgrade, the long-term value proposition extends beyond just improved water quality. Pool owners should consider several factors when evaluating the investment:

Reduced Chemical Costs: Lower chlorine requirements translate to ongoing savings in chemical purchases, though these savings may be offset by higher energy costs if running pumps 24/7.

Health Benefits: For families dealing with chemical sensitivities or health concerns, the comfort and peace of mind may be invaluable.

Equipment Longevity: Reduced chemical levels can extend the life of pool equipment, swimwear, and pool surfaces by minimizing chemical corrosion and degradation.

System Scalability: Clear Comfort offers six different unit sizes, from small above-ground spas (CCW 25) to large commercial installations handling up to one million gallons, ensuring appropriate sizing for any application.

The Bottom Line: Is AOP Right for Your Pool?

Clear Comfort's AOP technology represents a genuine advancement in pool water treatment, offering tangible benefits for the right pool owners. The system delivers on its promises of reduced chemical dependency, improved water comfort, and simplified maintenance routines.

However, it's important to approach this technology with realistic expectations. This is a premium system designed for pool owners who prioritize water quality and are willing to invest in advanced technology to achieve it. It's not a necessity for safe pool operation, but rather an upgrade that can significantly enhance the swimming experience.

The ideal candidates are health-conscious families, those with chemical sensitivities, and pool owners who view their pool as a long-term investment in their family's health and enjoyment. For these users, the combination of reduced chemical exposure, improved comfort, and simplified maintenance creates compelling value.

As the pool industry continues to evolve, technologies like Clear Comfort's AOP system point toward a future where pool ownership doesn't require compromise between effective sanitation and family health. For those ready to make the investment, the technology is proven, the benefits are real, and the future of pool water treatment is available today.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
• 02:30 Jessica Werner's Background at Clear Comfort
• 05:45 Company History and Technology Origins
• 08:15 Understanding AOP Technology and Hydroxyl Radicals
• 12:00 Clear Comfort vs Other AOP Systems
• 15:30 Ideal Customers and Health Benefits
• 18:45 Chlorine Levels and Runtime Requirements
• 22:00 System Maintenance and Cartridge Replacement
• 26:30 Product Range and Commercial Applications
• 30:00 Notable Installations and Case Studies