Swimming is one activity you do not need to force your children to engage in – they love it. Aside from being a recreational activity facilitating family bonding, it also offers different health benefits.
Even though homeowners are more likely only to recoup about 56 per cent of the total cost of an inground pool, according to a 2023 Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), it remains one of the most preferred features in a home.
Owning a pool also comes with maintenance expenses. The average cost for pool maintenance is $150 to $200. It is influenced by location, season, and usage frequency. Therefore, it might be higher or lower.
Poor pool maintenance makes it less safe and uncomfortable. It can also increase your overall maintenance expenses. Consistent leakage will result in more energy to pump more water. It will increase your energy and water bills. You can prevent this by hiring a professional from companies offering leak detection services.
Below are some tips to reduce the cost of the overall maintenance of your pool;
Use a Pool Cover
Logically, using a pool cover can help improve water cleanliness by removing dirt like leaves, debris, and twigs. This reduces cleaning time and expenses.
Furthermore, a pool cover can significantly reduce your heating costs. Additionally, pool covers can cut evaporative water loss by up to 50 per cent.
Plastic is a favourite material for pool covers as it is a good vapour barrier. The major drawback is that they may be difficult to handle and are less durable – only lasts for one or two seasons.
Bubble or solar covers made specifically for pools are recommended as they are durable and designed to reduce the pool’s solar energy absorption. For ease of use, semi-automatic and automatic options are available in the market.
If you prefer rolling your pool cover manually, there are reels to make the task easier. Irrespective of your choice of pool cover, you can only reduce the pool’s heat loss by putting them to use.
Install solar pump and heater
To save energy costs, consider powering your pool pump with solar energy.
The solar pump uses energy from the sun and is perfect for outdoor pools. Although it might seem expensive to purchase initially, it is more cost-effective in the long run.
It will help reduce your energy bill and ensure your pump is always powered, even when there is an issue with your main home electrical system.
Using gas to heat your pool can be expensive. More gas will be burned if you do not use a pool cover.
Depending on the capacity, a solar pool heating system can heat the pool as often as possible without worrying about your utility bill.
To better conserve energy, only heat the pool when you want to use it.
Shock after dark
Chlorine is added to the pool to prevent algae and bacteria growth. The chlorine combines with these contaminants to hinder them from causing any harm. Over time, there will be no more free chlorine to combine with contaminants, resulting in their proliferation.
This is why it is essential to shock the pool. Chlorinated shocking requires the addition of chlorine into the pool to increase the amount of free chlorine in it.
It is best done at night to save costs and for optimal results. During the day, the heat from the sun might reduce the effectiveness of the chlorine, causing you to add more or need to repeat the process sooner.
If added at night, the chlorine is afforded enough time to circulate around the pool and efficiently disinfect it.
Clean filter regularly
Swimming pool filters get clogged easily, especially during summer or when the pool is frequently used. The filter is designed to trap dirt and algae that may appear in the pool.
A clogged filter lowers the pool pump’s effectiveness, reducing the water flow through the filtering system and forcing the pump to work harder than usual.
This eventually results in more energy consumption and subsequently increased energy bill.
It is recommended to clean the filters once a month to avoid this.
Install LED pool lights
Pool lighting can transform your pool, improve safety, and allow night use. Use LED lights instead of incandescent to add more beauty and save cost.
They are perfect for setting the mood at night. These bulbs also last three times longer and save about 80 per cent in operating costs.
When choosing LED lights for your pool, consider their depth. Swimming pools with a deep end may require additional lights for adequate illumination.