Money Saving Pool Tips

Here are helpful tips that can help save money on your swimming pool during the summer months.

• Use a solar cover to not only reduce evaporation, but the cover will also control your heater costs. Solar covers also reduce the debris build-up on windy days controlling how much skimming and vacuuming will be required. If hauling the cover on and off is an issue, then either a solar cover reel can be used, or a liquid solar cover such as Smart Shield™ from Bio-Guard. Smart Shield™ essentially creates a thin invisibile layer to reduce water and temperature losses.
• Balance the pH and alkalinity, not only to prevent eye irritation, but your other chemicals won't work as well when the pH and alkalinity are out of range.
• Purchase an energy efficient pool pump, such as a two speed pump, or variable speed pump. Filtration can be through the low speed and the higher speed would be reserved for vacuuming.
• Running your filter at off-peak hours (night) using an automatic timer. If using a pool service, make sure that the technician is able to turn the system on for cleaning to avoid any unneccessary charges.
• Keep the filter clean: a clean filter reduces the chances of costly repairs and also helps with clear water. An easy way to tell if the filter is clean is by looking at the pressure gauge.
• The higher the pool water temperature, the faster you will go through chlorine and if using a heater, the higher your gas or electric bill will be. Also, shut off the heater and gas during the off season.
• Stabilizer (cyanuric acid) aids in how effective the chlorine will be. Having too much, or too little will decrease efficacy.
• If using liquid chlorine, add only at night. Free chlorine is lost when it reacts with sunlinght. On a very sunny day, chlorination can be reduced by 90% in a couple hours.

Average operation costs (depending on pool size) for a chlorine pool: $500-1000 per year

Baquacil or Softswim operation costs: $750-1500 per year

Saltwater pool costs: $150-400 per year