An Interview with Kasco’s Mechanical Engineers, Nick Hovel and Ian Waters | Dec. 10, 2024
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Kasco is excited to introduce Home Series Diffused Aeration – a new product line designed to make water quality management easy and accessible for homeowners with small backyard ponds. Built with the same reliable performance as our existing diffused aeration product offerings, this new system addresses common water quality issues like weed overgrowth, algae buildup, and unpleasant odors. To learn more about the design and development of this innovative system, we spoke with Nick Hovel and Ian Waters, our Mechanical Design Engineers who led the project from start to finish.

What is Home Series, and what led to the decision to expand our product offerings to include this new system?

Home Series is an affordable, bottom diffused aeration system designed specifically for DIY enthusiasts. We developed this system in response to a growing interest from homeowners wanting a simple, yet effective, way to manage their backyard ponds or small local lakes. Before Home Series, our diffused aeration offerings were primarily tailored to larger bodies of water and professional pond managers. While those systems have additional features, they come at a higher price point. Home Series fills this need, allowing anyone to set up a basic diffused aeration system at a low cost and supports our commitment to empowering individuals to take control of their water quality management efforts.

How does the Home Series diffused aeration system differ from the RobustAire™ diffused aeration system?

The main difference between these systems is that Home Series does not include the patented AireGuard Cabinet Technology found in our RobustAire™ cabinets. However, it still includes a prefilter and an intake filter to ensure the compressor receives clean air during operation. Additionally, Home Series comes with a new single-loop diffuser that was designed to optimize system performance and accommodate tight spaces.

What were the main objectives when designing this system?

The primary goal when designing this system was to create an easy-to-install cabinet for hands-on users while integrating many of the features found in our RobustAire cabinets to ensure a reliable and efficient solution. With those objectives in mind, we focused on developing a user-friendly system that offers a straightforward setup, requires minimal maintenance, and comes at an affordable price. By bringing together these qualities, we’ve made diffused aeration more accessible to a broader audience, including homeowners with smaller waterbodies.

What challenges did you encounter during the design process?

Our biggest challenge was fitting all the necessary features into a compact enclosure while ensuring easy access to service components like filters and the compressor. We wanted to create a cabinet that was easy to lift and move around for quick installations. A smaller cabinet also blends more seamlessly with the natural shoreline, making it essential to keep the dimensions minimal. Ultimately, we believe we achieved a good balance between a streamlined cabinet size and convenient accessibility for maintenance.

Where does this product fit in the water quality industry? What types of applications is it best for?

This system is an ideal fit for homeowners looking to improve the health and appearance of their small backyard ponds. Another application this would suit well is HOA-managed stormwater ponds, where pond managers oversee multiple waterbodies. The cabinet runs quietly, making it practical for residential areas near ponds, and the quick installation process allows crews to complete other tasks throughout the day. Additionally, the dual filters ensure the system runs longer between service intervals compared to competing cabinets.

What are the main benefits of this system?

Home Series offers several key benefits: it’s easy to install, quiet, and compact. Simplifying the diffuser design and allowing the cabinet to be mounted in various orientations ensures a quick and hassle-free installation process. Once the system is installed, it operates quietly, so you’ll hardly notice it running in your backyard. This feature goes hand-in-hand with its small size, allowing the system to be placed just about anywhere to stay hidden and out of sight.

How does Home Series differ from other diffuser systems on the market?

Home Series stands out from other diffuser systems on the market by offering an affordable option without compromising on the quality features many high-end cabinets have. It includes washable and replaceable filters, robust cooling fans, multiple mounting options, and a stainless-steel enclosure that is built to withstand harsh conditions. These features are not typically found in budget-friendly systems.

Can you explain the installation process? Does Home Series require professional assistance?

Home Series is designed for easy DIY installation, with everything you need included in the box. Simply unpack the cabinet, connect the weighted tubing to both the cabinet and diffuser, and plug it into a power source. The single-loop diffusers are simple to assemble, are self-weighted to land upright every time, and can be placed in the water by either tossing from shore or paddling out on a boat. If you want to add another diffuser later, just connect a second roll of tubing to the cabinet. This straightforward process ensures you can install the system with minimal effort and without professional assistance.

What are the different mounting options for this system?

The cabinet has 3 mounting options. It can be placed directly on the ground, whether on a gravel pad, mulch, rocks, grass, or similar surfaces. For additional security, the optional mounting bracket allows you to bolt the cabinet to the ground or mount it vertically to a post or wall, depending on your specific installation needs.

What are you most excited about with this new system?

We are most excited about its ease of installation. Home Series includes everything needed for a quick and easy setup. We’re also thrilled to introduce homeowners to the water management world through Home Series, enabling them to effortlessly enhance their backyard ponds and support local ecosystems.

In conclusion, Home Series is more than just a new product – it is an opportunity to help a wider audience gain a deeper understanding of effective water quality management solutions. By making an affordable and user-friendly diffused aeration system available, individuals can enhance their pond’s health, fostering clean and vibrant water environments. To learn more about Home Series Diffused Aeration, visit the Home Series webpage or read our Press Release.