Every pool has an initial investment as well as ongoing maintenance, upkeep, and repair costs to keep it in great shape. While a swimming pool does not last forever, if you take regular preventative measures, maintain a water chemistry balance, and complete other pool upkeep tasks, you will greatly extend the life of the pool. Do you know the monthly costs that are associated with owning a pool? The primary monthly components include energy, chemical, water usage, and pool maintenance.
As you begin calculating your monthly payment, keep in mind that every pool is different. Many pools include capacity for adjusting the flow, pump performance, and energy consumption. It is worth taking the time to learn how to adjust these levels to reach an optimal balance.
Energy Usage
Energy usage depends greatly on the size of the motor of your pool. Obviously, motors that are larger than the standard 1.5 to 2 HP motor will use more energy per month. Older pools often have motors that are too large and consequently draw more energy. It used to be a popular opinion that bigger pumps were better, which simply isn’t true. Nowadays, many pool equipment manufacturers not only offer smaller, more energy saving equipment options, but new technology that tackles multiple maintenance tasks at once. Unlike a traditional speed pump that comes with one set speed, a variable-speed pump comes with several speeds that adjust to match your pool’s immediate needs. Instead of using one speed at full power whether your pool needs it or not, a variable-speed pump can help you avoid large energy drains and shocking electricity bills.
Chemical Usage
Chemical usage and the associated costs can vary, depending on the use of your pool, especially during the summer months. The chemistry of your pool water will strongly depend on how well it’s being circulated. The better water is being circulated (distributed) throughout your pool, the fewer pool chemicals your pool will require in order to maintain a safe, clean swim environment. Equipment such as the in-floor cleaning & circulation system automatically sweeps the pool floor and circulates water from the bottom up. Using Venturi technology, this system distributes warm, sanitized water to every area of your pool and is specially engineered to offer a host of energy and cost-saving features as well.
Water Usage
A monthly water bill is largely dependent on how efficiently you use the water in your pool and the water rates in your specific area. This cost range may also differ for pools of different sizes. Also keep in mind that the more swimmers and pool play you have, the more splash out you’ll have, requiring you to top off your pool water levels. The hot sun causes evaporation in the summer months. Remember this when planning the location of your pool; long hours of full sunlight will require you to top up water more often, raising your monthly water costs.
Pool Maintenance
Some people opt to complete pool maintenance tasks themselves instead of hiring a cleaning company and do not include it in a list of what to consider when planning their pool budget. Whether you complete the work yourself or not, there are sizable costs for chemicals and pool treatments. If you are cleaning your own pool, you also have to calculate the amount of time you will spend working on the pool every day and then plan accordingly.
Pool service cleaning companies charge different rates depending on the level of maintenance and service options selected. It is important to remember that what you pay for is what you get. Do not simply shop around for the cheapest cleaning company. Make sure that you are working with a reputable and experienced staff.
For pool owners who would like to take on pool maintenance themselves, a variable-speed pump combined with an in-floor cleaning system can offer the perfect combination of energy efficiency, extended pool life for long-term value, immediate savings on monthly operating costs, and the ultimate luxury pool experience.
Take Notes and Learn About Your Pool
If you’re concerned with the costs associated with pool ownership, keep track of them monthly and compare them after a set period. Set benchmarks for your energy and water consumption and study how they fluctuate based on different variables. By learning your pool and how you use it, you can save yourself money in your energy and water usage, but also pool maintenance down the road. In the end, pools that are taken care of require less maintenance.