E-191 Pool Nation Podcast - Exclusive Insights from Raypak Experts on the Latest Game-Changing Technologies!

Picture this: You're staring at a massive pool heater that's refusing to fire up, your client is breathing down your neck, and you're frantically scrolling through manuals trying to figure out what's wrong. Sound familiar? If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. Pool heaters have long been one of the most intimidating pieces of equipment for service professionals to tackle. But what if there was a way to conquer that fear and turn heater repairs into a profitable cornerstone of your business?

In a recent episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, hosts Edgar DeJazuz and team welcomed the entire Raypak training crew—Brad, Dave-Kennon, TJ, and Ken—to discuss their game-changing approach to pool heater education. What emerged from this conversation wasn't just another product pitch, but a blueprint for transforming how the industry approaches technical training and professional development.

Breaking Down the Fear Factor: Why Traditional Training Falls Short

For decades, pool equipment training has followed the same tired formula: cramped conference rooms, endless PowerPoint slides, and one lonely unit sitting in the corner while everyone squints from the back row. Brad from Raypak's training team didn't mince words about this outdated approach:

I think a lot of people maybe newer than industry don't appreciate that this is available to them because people that have been in for a while understand the being PowerPointed to death. And I don't know how many endless hours for me, it was tech support that was my lifeline and being on hold forever and time is money and sitting there and just literally getting walked through the whole thing step by step.

— Brad, Raypak Training Team

This traditional method creates a dangerous knowledge gap. Pool professionals leave these sessions with theoretical understanding but lack the practical confidence to tackle real-world problems. When equipment fails in the field, they're left scrambling, calling tech support, and losing valuable time—and money.

The psychological barrier is real too. Heaters, with their complex gas systems, electrical components, and safety considerations, can seem like impenetrable black boxes to even experienced technicians. This intimidation factor keeps many service professionals from expanding their skill sets, ultimately limiting their earning potential and career growth.

The Raypak Revolution: Hands-On Learning That Actually Works

Raypak's training philosophy represents a complete departure from industry norms. Instead of passive observation, they've embraced active participation. Their bootcamps provide each participant with actual tools—screwdrivers, nut drivers, and everything needed to completely disassemble and reassemble pool heaters.

As Edgar DeJazuz noted during the podcast, the transformation is remarkable:

Once you get to take that blower out and you get to see that entire unit, it really almost takes the entire fear out of that beast and nobody gets that in training. And what you guys have done is completely different with making sure that everybody's got screwdrivers that everybody has nutdrivers that you're tearing those things apart and really taking that fear away from the pool pros.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast Host

This hands-on approach serves multiple purposes. First, it demystifies the equipment by allowing technicians to see exactly how components interact. Second, it builds muscle memory for common procedures. Most importantly, it instills confidence that these complex machines are actually understandable and serviceable.

The bootcamp format also creates a safe learning environment where mistakes don't cost customers or reputation. Participants can experiment, ask questions, and learn from failures without real-world consequences.

The Next Level: Advanced Training with Live Fire Scenarios

While hands-on disassembly represents a major step forward, Raypak is pushing the envelope even further. Their upcoming May 17th bootcamp in Oxnard, California, will feature live heaters and real-time troubleshooting scenarios. Brad teased the innovative approach they're planning:

We're going to have some live fire heaters for sure. We're going to have those well. But we're going to have some that we're going to tear down so that we don't have to worry about whatever safety issues with heaters that have been taken apart and put back together several times... And maybe they won't work quite right. Oh goodness, whatever could have possibly happened to this heater, I can't imagine why it won't fire up.

— Brad, Raypak Training Team

This approach simulates real-world service calls where equipment failures aren't announced with flashing signs. Participants will need to diagnose problems, identify solutions, and implement repairs—just like they would at a customer's home. It's the difference between reading about swimming and jumping in the pool.

The facility itself is designed for this type of advanced training, featuring state-of-the-art ventilation, gas connections for up to five units, and all necessary safety equipment. This allows for realistic scenarios without compromising participant safety.

The Business Case: Why Technical Skills Drive Financial Success

Beyond the educational benefits, there's a compelling business argument for investing in advanced heater training. Pool service companies often operate on thin margins when limited to basic maintenance tasks. However, repair work commands premium pricing and higher profit margins.

The podcast hosts emphasized this economic reality:

You could be successful and you can run a service business. But once you're able to start doing repairs and doing all that kind of stuff, your business goes to a whole different level, especially financially.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast Host

Consider the math: A basic service call might generate $100-150 in revenue. But a heater repair can easily command $300-800 or more, depending on the complexity and parts required. For service professionals who can confidently diagnose and repair equipment issues, each service call becomes an opportunity for significantly higher earnings.

This capability also improves customer relationships. Instead of saying "I need to call someone else" or "We'll have to wait for the heater guy," service professionals can position themselves as the complete solution. This builds trust, increases customer retention, and generates referrals.

Elevating an Entire Industry: The Bigger Picture

The conversation revealed a deeper motivation behind these training initiatives. Brad shared his perspective on the industry's reputation challenges and the role education plays in addressing them:

I see what you folks do here as an elevation of the industry. It is an elevation of the individuals in the industry to the point where we should be. This is a profession. We're not out here, sometimes I ask people in my class, I'm like, how many of you are in the swimming pool industry because you just needed a hobby, you don't have anything better to do? And I get nobody because of course no, this is how we make our living.

— Brad, Raypak Training Team

This touches on a critical industry challenge. Pool service has often been perceived as unskilled labor, leading to undervaluation by customers and practitioners alike. By providing sophisticated technical training and emphasizing professional development, companies like Raypak are helping reshape these perceptions.

When pool professionals demonstrate advanced technical knowledge, use proper diagnostic procedures, and solve complex problems, they command respect and appropriate compensation. This creates a virtuous cycle where higher standards attract better talent, which further elevates the industry's reputation.

Looking Forward: The Future of Pool Industry Training

The approaches discussed in this podcast episode point toward broader trends in professional development across technical industries. Hands-on learning, simulation-based training, and competency-focused certification are becoming standard practices in fields from automotive repair to HVAC installation.

The pool industry is finally catching up, driven by companies willing to invest in comprehensive training programs. This evolution benefits everyone: equipment manufacturers build stronger relationships with service professionals, technicians develop more valuable skills, and customers receive better service.

For individual pool professionals, the message is clear: the days of getting by on basic maintenance knowledge are numbered. Those who invest in advanced training will thrive, while those who don't risk being left behind.

Conclusion: Taking Action on Your Professional Development

The insights shared in this Pool Nation Podcast episode reveal both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is acknowledging that traditional training methods aren't preparing pool professionals for real-world success. The opportunity lies in embracing new approaches that build genuine competence and confidence.

Raypak's hands-on bootcamps represent just one example of how the industry is evolving. Their May 17th advanced session in Oxnard offers a chance to experience this new training paradigm firsthand. But the broader lesson applies regardless of which programs you choose: investing in practical, hands-on education is no longer optional for serious pool professionals.

The equipment will continue getting more sophisticated, customer expectations will keep rising, and competition will intensify. The professionals who thrive will be those who view education as an ongoing investment rather than a one-time requirement. Whether it's heaters, automation systems, or the next generation of pool technology, the future belongs to those willing to get their hands dirty and truly master their craft.

Don't wait for the perfect moment or until you "need" these skills. By then, you'll already be behind. The time to elevate your technical capabilities—and your business—is now.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcomes
• 05:30 Meet the Raypak Training Team
• 12:15 Industry Challenges and Traditional Training Problems
• 18:45 Raypak's Hands-On Training Philosophy
• 25:30 Advanced Bootcamp with Live Fire Scenarios
• 32:10 Business Benefits of Technical Skills
• 38:20 Elevating Industry Professionalism