Money Saving Tips for Swimming Pool Owners

Swimming pools can get very expensive. When the budget is tight, it is tempting to cut back on some of the essentials of pool care which can lead to even more expensive pool problems or pool equipment repair expenses. Following are several money saving tips for residential swimming pool owners.

Run the Filter During Off Peak Times - most cities have off-peak times when electricity is less expensive compared to peak time. Adjust the pool timer to run during the off-peak time periods.

Invest in a Variable Speed Pump - consider investing in a variable speed pump. Variable speed pumps can be programmed to run at the minimum speed required for any different task. The pump will use less energy and can offer significant saving, sometimes up to 90 percent.

Keep the Pool Chemicals Balanced - be meticulous about balancing all parameters of the pool water. Keeping the alkalinity, pH, and calcium hardness level in line with the Langelier Index will save money in reduced chemical usage. Constantly fighting the swimming pool water balance can get very expensive.

Keep the Main Pool Filter Clean - a real simple concept, keeping a clean pool filter eliminates many different expensive pool problems.

Optimize the Pool Cleaner Cycle - for pools with an additional booster pump for the pool cleaner, it is very common for swimming pool owners to run the pool cleaner way longer than necessary. Save money by learning how effective the pool cleaner is in the pool and adjusting the operating hours of the cleaner to the minimum level throughout the year.

Monitor Cyanuric Acid Level in the Pool - unknown to most pool owners, chlorine usage can be reduced significantly by keeping a careful eye on the level of stabilizer (cyanuric acid) in the pool. The ideal level of cyanuric acid in a swimming pool is 20 - 60 ppm. If it is below 20, the chlorine will not be protected from the sun and can be used up within a few hours on a sunny day. Once the stabilizer level gets above 60, the chlorine starts to lock up and becomes less and less effective the higher the stabilizer level gets. A good indicator of this problem is noticing that over time, more and more chlorine is required to get a good free chlorine test result. Also, since the chlorine becomes less effective at high stabilizer levels, recurring algae is often a problem and an additional expense. Keep the stabilizer level in the proper range and save money on chlorine and algaecide.

Reduce Filter Run During Winter Months in Mild Climates - in mild climates, when winter arrives and the pool water gets colder, the filter run time can be reduced to save money. The minimum pool filter run time is different for every swimming pool, but in the winter, as long as the pool water is crystal clear and pool is staying clean, the filter is running long enough.

Swimming pool expenses can be minimized by sticking to a strict pool maintenance routine. Maintain the water level, keep the filter clean, keep the baskets clear, and make sure the chemicals are balanced and the sanitizer level is always sufficient. Additionally, many swimming pools can benefit from the money saving tips listed above for additional reductions to the family budget.

More Articles on Pool Care