E-297 Pool Nation Podcast - Why Pool Filtration Is Broken (And How It’s Being Reinvented) | Featuring Jose Perez of Encore Filtration

In Episode 297 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJFlawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” sit down with Jose Perez, founder of Encore Filtration also now officially known as The Duke of Dirty Filters.

This episode goes deep into one of the most overlooked yet critical components of pool service: filtration and why it directly impacts water quality, efficiency, customer trust, and profitability.

Jose shares his journey from air filtration into the pool industry, why most pool pros are losing money on filters without realizing it, and how innovation, pricing strategy, and protecting the service professional are reshaping the industry.

This isn’t just a product conversation it’s a business conversation about margins, competition from online retailers, and what it really takes to build a sustainable pool service company.

If you’re a pool pro, service company owner, or industry professional this episode will change how you think about filtration, pricing, and long-term growth.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:30 – Introducing Jose Perez (Encore Filtration) 04:15 – Why filtration is overlooked in the pool industry 08:20 – Jose’s background: From air filtration to pool innovation 13:45 – Taking the leap into entrepreneurship (no customers, no guarantees) 18:30 – The biggest gaps in the pool filtration market 23:10 – The real problem: Online pricing vs. service profitability 29:40 – Why protecting pool pros matters (and why most manufacturers don’t) 36:15 – The truth about margins, pricing, and customer trust 42:00 – Innovation beyond the product: thinking differently 48:20 – The FIT Kit concept (solving real field problems) 54:10 – How to build loyalty through customer experience 59:30 – The future of filtration & industry standards 1:05:20 – Technology center & raising the bar in testing 1:10:45 – Why “good is not good enough” in business 1:15:30 – Final thoughts & lessons for pool pros 1:18:00 – The birth of “The Duke of Dirty Filters”

💥 Key Takeaways

• Filtration isn’t just maintenance it’s a profit center
• Competing with online pricing is one of the biggest threats to pool pros
• Innovation isn’t just products it’s customer experience + business strategy
• The companies that win will be the ones that protect the trade
• If you’re not improving, you’re falling behind good is not good enough

🎙️ Thank You to Our Sponsors

We want to thank our amazing Pool Nation Visionary Partners for making this podcast possible:

• The SPPA
• Blu-Ray XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak EnCore Brands
• Heritage Pool Supply
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Nidec
• Encore Filtration

📲 Connect with Pool Nation

Follow us for more content, training, and industry insights:

• Website: PoolNation.com
• Instagram: @PoolNationPodcast
• Podcast: Pool Nation Podcast