In-Ground Pool Owners?

[Anybodyhome]

I run mine 24x7 from about mid may to mid sep.  The electric bill increases by about a hundred a month, but according to the duke power estimate that comes in my bill, only about $25 of that is due to the pump, the rest is due to running the AC more in the summer.  I am not sure how accurate it is though. 

 

My pump/filter in Greensboro years ago ran me an extra $25 a month or so.. I think if you added a heater, that's when the dollars start flying down the drain.

 

Seems to me with a salt system it may be possible to run the pump part time instead of 24/7, but if it's only $25-30/month, that's nothing.

 

[Davidson Deac II]

1. Right, you don't really taste any salt or chlorine. I heard it is less than 10% of true salt water but not sure how true that is. My parents have a soft water system in their house and it feels very similar. I wouldn't drink the pool water though. : ) 

 

Every summer we have a big birthday pool bash for my son, and it always amazes me how all those kids spend so much time in the pool and rarely have to go to the bathroom.  :)

[Davidson Deac II]

My pump/filter in Greensboro years ago ran me an extra $25 a month or so.. I think if you added a heater, that's when the dollars start flying down the drain.

 

Seems to me with a salt system it may be possible to run the pump part time instead of 24/7, but if it's only $25-30/month, that's nothing.

 

 

If you are getting a new one, it might be worth it to invest in one of those pumps with a timer, that only runs certain times of the day.  At least I think they have something like that. 

[Cat]

Heating the Jacuzzi really effects our gas bill. And running the pool pump 24/7 kills our electric bill. We're thinking about getting a new pump to see if its more efficient. We now run it about 9 hours.

BTW our power bill is fuging ridiculous. $300 last month. Anyone know how to verify its right or figure out what's making it so high?

[g5jamz]

Yeah...if you heat your pool with gas...could cost quite a bit.  Solar blanket would probably do just fine, but if you're wanting to swim in Oct/Nov...just join a pool that has an indoor facility. 

[Hawk]

I know a guy with a rather intricate pool heating system on the roof of his house.  It looks kind of weird from further back, but as you approach the place you can't see it at all based on the design of his roof etc.  He says he could care less how it looks and that his pool heating bill is essentially zero even well into the fall.

[Lloyd Christmas]

I had a 16x32 when I lived in Greensboro years ago and it wasn't that complicated or costly to maintain. But that was 1995 - 1998.

 

Bought a new house with a huge backyard that would leave plenty of room even after a pool and the surrounding concrete deck.

 

Anyone here had one installed within the past few years and can you tell me how much the chemicals cost these days?

I've had an 18x36 in ground for more than ten years (about 25,000 gallons). And yes, salt water pools are the current rage but the conversion costs don't make mathematical sense to me, but if I was just getting ready to build a new pool, I would def consider it. I will give you the best advise I can. First and foremost, NEVER buy chemicals at the pool store. They are WAY overpriced and you can buy the same products they sell at Walmart or the grocery store. I currently use, and have always used, whats known as the BBB method. BBB = Bleach, Borax and Baking soda. I still have the original liner (10 yrs old), my water stays crystal clear, and I spend maybe $100 to $150 a season on these chemicals. My "pool season" runs from mid May till mid October. Not a bad investment in my opinion. 

 

Here's a few more pointers, keeping in mind this is for a pool that uses chlorine as it's sanitizer.

 

You only need to run a pool pump for approx. 8 hours a day. 8 hours will allow the entire 25000 gallons to recirculate once, which is all it needs. Running your pump any longer is just wasting energy (and increasing your electric bill). I run mine at night.

A gas heater is a waste of $. It will skyrocket your gas bill. A $100 solar blanket is just as effective.

The ONLY chemicals you need that can't be purchased at the local store are stabilizer (only needed every several years and chlorinating tablets [provided you have an automatic chlorinator] ) Still, never but these at the pool store. I get both from Amazon or ebay (40 lbs. of 3 inch chlorinating tablets cost around $70 to $80 and lasts me 3 seasons. I've only had to add stabilizer twice in 10 years (around $8 for 2 lbs.) 

You can choose to use granulated shock (again, cheaper on Amazon) or concentrated ​bleach. Buying the concentrated bleach gives you twice the bang for your buck (and costs $2.19 per gallon at my local Food Lion). 

 

So here's the chemical breakdown;

Bleach or granulated shock, to chlorinate or sanitize your water.

​Baking soda (Arm & Hammer) to raise total alkalinity.

Borax (yes, 20 mule team) to raise ph.

Muriatic acid to lower ph or alkalinity (can find at Lowe's or Home Depot for around $5).

 

Other than that, you don't really need anything else. I can remember when I was considering building a pool, a lot of people told me how expensive it was to maintain. With a little research (and experience), I found out they didn't know what the hell they were talking about. Every time I get into my pool, it's like a mini vacation. 

I hope this helped you out, and convinced you to build that pool in your backyard. You'll be glad you did.

 

 

[Lloyd Christmas]

Thank you for the delicious pie Anybodyhome. Once you construct your pool, feel free to PM me with any questions you may have. I will gladly share all the info I have learned that no one ever bothered to tell me  :cool: .

[Anybodyhome]

Thank you for the delicious pie Anybodyhome. Once you construct your pool, feel free to PM me with any questions you may have. I will gladly share all the info I have learned that no one ever bothered to tell me  :cool: .

 

Yeah, like I said, I had a pool several years ago and I actually found that some of the maintenance was just as stress reducing as swimming in it. But the energy efficiency associated with not having to run a pump 24/7 and a lower cost for chemicals with a salt water pool are intriguing.

 

I see a Huddle pool party and cookout in my future.,....

 

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Yeah, like I said, I had a pool several years ago and I actually found that some of the maintenance was just as stress reducing as swimming in it. But the energy efficiency associated with not having to run a pump 24/7 and a lower cost for chemicals with a salt water pool are intriguing.

 

I see a Huddle pool party and cookout in my future.,....

 

 

Have had a salt water pool in Phoenix for the last twelve years.  If you have the choice and don't mind the additional up front costs, the benefits are worth it.

 

I was able to spend an unlimited time in the pool without bloodshot eyes from harsh chemicals, no chlorine smell and the water is much more gentle on bathing suit fabrics.

 

An in-pool cleaning system with rotating water jets to direct dirt and leaves towards the filtering system was a great time saver and doubled as massage therapy.

 

Also, recommend a pebble tech finish or something similar, looks great, allows better footing with less slippage and is more durable than standard pool finishes.  

[Lloyd Christmas]

Have had a salt water pool in Phoenix for the last twelve years.  If you have the choice and don't mind the additional up front costs, the benefits are worth it.

 

I was able to spend an unlimited time in the pool without bloodshot eyes from harsh chemicals, no chlorine smell and the water is much more gentle on bathing suit fabrics.

 

An in-pool cleaning system with rotating water jets to direct dirt and leaves towards the filtering system was a great time saver and doubled as massage therapy.

 

Also, recommend a pebble tech finish or something similar, looks great, allows better footing with less slippage and is more durable than standard pool finishes.  

Is a pebble tech finish an actual liner or some type of plaster?

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Is a pebble tech finish an actual liner or some type of plaster?

 

I misspelled the product in my original post, should be Pebble Tec.  Basically it is an aggregate of portland cement and pebbles.  The final product results in about 90 to 95 percent of the exposed surface being pebbles and the remaining 5- 10 percent being colored portland cement.  It is a very durable finish and I prefer the look and feel to traditional plaster. 

 

Photos don't do this product justice.  If you can find a pool with Pebble Tec installed it will sell itself.

 

Here is a link to Pebble Tec http://www.pebbletec.com/products/pebble-tec?color=emerald-bay

 

Here a retailer for the Carolinas and GA. http://www.olympicpool.net/gallery/

 

Here is a forum discussing the product and less expensive competitors http://www.troublefreepool.com/pebblesheen-vs-quartzscape-vs-stonescape-t28540.html

[Lloyd Christmas]

I misspelled the product in my original post, should be Pebble Tec.  Basically it is an aggregate of portland cement and pebbles.  The final product results in about 90 to 95 percent of the exposed surface being pebbles and the remaining 5- 10 percent being colored portland cement.  It is a very durable finish and I prefer the look and feel to traditional plaster. 

 

Photos don't do this product justice.  If you can find a pool with Pebble Tec installed it will sell itself.

 

Here is a link to Pebble Tec http://www.pebbletec.com/products/pebble-tec?color=emerald-bay

 

Here a retailer for the Carolinas and GA. http://www.olympicpool.net/gallery/

 

Here is a forum discussing the product and less expensive competitors http://www.troublefreepool.com/pebblesheen-vs-quartzscape-vs-stonescape-t28540.html

Interesting. Thanks!

[Kevin Greene]

is that a turd?