A Family Idea That Floated

From a Michigan backyard to pools across America, one family’s idea turned into a smarter way to swim.

Just west of Lansing, in the small town of Grand Ledge, Michigan, family tinkering turned into a national innovation. Beluga Pool Solutions, founded by Don Symonds, began with one simple question: Why does heating a pool have to be so complicated and expensive?

Symonds grew up with a pool in his backyard, where summer meant long afternoons with family, friends, and plenty of maintenance headaches. When the family’s old gas heater finally quit, the high price of replacement pushed Symonds’ father to experiment with solar ideas of his own.

“I saw everything that could go wrong such as broken pipes, algae, and cloudy water, but the most frustrating thing was having a clean, beautiful pool that was too cold to use,” said Symonds. “My dad ran pipes through fences and even embedded tubing in concrete. He was determined not to waste another dime on gas.”

Years later, Don found himself facing the same problem and  he turned that family frustration into a business. After plenty of trial and error, the Beluga Solar Pool Heating Device was born. It is a small, clever tool that turns any standard garden hose into a solar heating system.

The Spark of Innovation

What sparked the idea was from a moment of simple observation in his own backyard. One sunny afternoon Symonds noticed that a garden hose lying across the deck was producing surprisingly hot water.

 “It wasn’t just warm, it was hot,” Symonds said. “That’s when I thought, why can’t we use that same heat to warm pool water?”

He began experimenting with a simple adapter that would allow the pool water to circulate through a sun-warmed hose and flow back into the pool, all without modifying the existing filtration system. It needed to be easy to use, affordable, and efficient.

Symonds tested the first prototype on his own 22,000-gallon inground pool, and the results were dramatic. Temperatures rose from 55°F to more than 80°F in just a few days, with energy from the sun.

From Backyard Experiment to a Family Business

Encouraged by friends and neighbors, Symonds decided to produce and sell the devices. There was nothing quite like it on the market. The first batches were made and assembled in China. Today, the Beluga Gen2 is proudly made in the USA, manufactured in Valencia, California, and shipped from their home-based business in Michigan.

From its earliest prototypes to the current Beluga Gen2, Beluga Pool Solutions has built its reputation on quality and personal service. Every unit is inspected before shipping and the company maintains a hands-on approach to customer support. Family members take customer questions and ensure pool owners receive quick responses and practical advice for installation and use. 

“We stand behind our product,” Symonds said. “Our customers are often DIYers and families who take pride in maintaining their pools, and we want every experience with Beluga to be positive from start to finish.”

Beluga Pool Solutions now serves customers nationwide. From the Midwest to the warmer climates of the South and West, the product has gained traction among homeowners seeking affordable, eco-friendly pool heating options and independently-minded pool owners looking for practical solutions.

“Seeing it work for my friends and neighbors gave me the confidence to share it,” Symonds said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know something that started in my backyard is helping people all over the country enjoy their pools longer.”

Sustainable, Simple, and Smart

Heating a swimming pool can be one of the most energy-intensive parts of home maintenance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, pool heaters are often the second-largest energy expense in homes with pools. Gas heaters can cost up to $1,700 per year to operate, while electric heat pumps average around $840 annually.

By comparison, solar pool heating systems can reduce heating costs by as much as 70 percent, and require almost no ongoing maintenance. Beluga’s device offers a simplified, low-cost version of that same principle, with no panels, wiring, or permits required.

“Our goal is to make solar heating accessible,” Symonds said. “If you can attach a hose, you can use a Beluga.”

The Whale of a Difference

Since its first prototype in the 1990s, the Beluga Solar Pool Heating Device has remained true to its origins: a straightforward solution that just works. The company’s playful whale-inspired branding is a nod to both its name and its approach — friendly, fun, and practical.

Today, thousands of pool owners across the country rely on Beluga to extend their swimming season naturally, enjoying warmer water without the environmental or financial toll of traditional heaters.

“When people tell me they’ve gone from shivering in May to swimming comfortably by Memorial Day, that’s the best part,” Symonds said. “It’s a simple idea that really makes a difference.”

Warm Water, Warm Memories

Beluga Pool Solutions may have started as a backyard experiment, but its impact now reaches far beyond Michigan. For families who love their pools but hate high energy bills, the company’s invention offers a refreshing alternative.