How Much Does A Pool Cost To Operate?
The cost of energy is rising rapidly. Maybe even in your area. Because of this, you might think twice before installing a pool. However, if you have the right information, you will be able to save a lot of money. It is important to remember that a swimming pool will cost a reasonable amount of energy and money. The amount will vary depending on the size and type of the pool, how long you run the pool, and whether or not your pool is heated. Let’s get into the different aspects of the pool to figure out how much it costs to run.
General maintenance
The cost of maintaining and fixing your pool can be expensive. Your pumps might malfunction or break, you might have to replace your filters, or your pool might have rips or cracks in liners. In general, you should set aside about 10% of your original cost of installation, per year. Depending on the type of pool you have, this cost might vary. In the case of fiberglass pools, the cost would be less. Another factor that you should consider as general maintenance is the insurance that will protect you from any liability associated with having a pool.
Pump
The amount you pay for the pump every month will depend on the type of pump you have selected. Some types of pumps have to be run only once per cycle, while others have several timed cycles. Some pumps have to run constantly at varying speeds. Two-speed and variable-speed pumps are usually less expensive to operate than single-speed pumps.
There are certain benefits of running a pump constantly. It sanitizes and filters the water all day. However, since it is not run at intervals, it will use more electricity. With pumps that offer multiple speeds, you will have more options regarding the speed of the pump and how long you want to run it. For example, in the case of a multiple-speed pump, it is possible to run the pump constantly at a low speed at a lower cost than running a single-speed pump for a certain part of the day.
Finding the exact amount of money you will be spending on the pump will depend on your pool’s size and the duration you run the pump every day. There are some online calculators that you can use for determining the cost.
Heating
A heated swimming pool can skyrocket your energy bill. In the case of a gas pool heating system, it can cost you somewhere in the range of $4 to $17 per hour. Solar heating, on the other hand, costs a lot less, somewhere between $0.18 to $0.26 per hour. Typically, gas heaters are more popular because of their effectiveness. But, there are some reasons why a gas heating system might drive your power bill up, including the following:
- With a gas heating system, you can heat your pool to about 28°C, even during the winter season. This means that you will be able to swim all year long.
- Since it has a wide range of heat settings, the cost can also vary a lot.
- A traditional gas pool heater can cost about $100 or more a week to run. This is almost double the cost of maintaining a pool without a heater.
- If you have a big pool, the cost of heating it will be more as well.
Chemicals
In order to ensure that your swimming pool is safe and enjoyable, you have to use a lot of chemicals. This includes regularly testing the pH of your pool and adding basic or acidic chemicals for keeping the pH neutral. The cost of this will depend on how frequently you have to use the chemicals and the brand you purchase. If you have the issue of hard water, you will need chemicals to deal with it as well. Apart from this, chemicals are required for preventing the growth of algae and bacteria in the pool.
The traditional method is using chlorine. However, there are several alternatives available. For example, in a salt chlorinator system, salt is used for maintaining clean water. The chemical formula of salt is a composition of sodium and chlorine. It uses electricity for separating the sodium and chlorine atoms. This chlorine is then returned to the water, which kills algae and bacteria. Since salt is a lot cheaper than chlorine, this method can help you save money. However, you also need to consider the cost of the initial installation with your pool builder north brisbane.
Additional features
The cost of the additional features will depend on the elements that you add to the pool. Take the example of an inground hot tub. It will consume as much electrical power, if not more, than a pool. The monthly power consumption might cost you about $100 to $300. If you add a waterslide, you might have to think about the costs of water supply and cleaning it.
The resale value of your house
One of the biggest benefits of installing a pool in your home is that it increases the value of your house. However, it is important to note that the increase will vary on a wide range of factors including your location, the type of pool, etc. If you live in a high-class neighborhood in a warm climate, a pool will help your house get noticed by potential buyers. Make sure that you leave enough space in your backyard for other activities.
There are some other factors as well that will impact the ROI on your pool, including its condition, age, required maintenance, and more. If you have an old pool in poor condition that doesn’t fit your house’s aesthetics, people might pass on your home.
What you have to do is figure out the costs of installing and running a pool and whether or not it outweighs the return. If you live somewhere hot and tropical, a pool can add value to your home. But, it might not be worth the same in a colder area. You can talk to an experienced pool building company to figure out your best options.
