MONEY SAVING SWIMMING POOL TIPS & TRICKS

The time has come again for another wonderful Fact Friday from Poolinfloor.com. Today we will be discussing some wonderful tips to help save you money come swim season. Let's dive in!

1. USE AN AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER

Whether it be robotic, pressure-side, or a suction cleaner; having something monitor your pool debris while you're away not only puts your mind at ease but also saves you from having to spend money on a weekly pool cleaning service. However, as with any piece of pool equipment, the vacuum must be regularly maintained and serviced to operate efficiently. 

2. RUN THE POOL PUMP DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS

On average, the most expensive time to run the pool is in the middle of the day which can pose a problem because it also happens to be the hottest part of the day where chlorine is evaporated at a much faster rate. So how do you compensate? We recommend circulating your pool at night to guarantee that your required GPM (Gallons Per Minute) turnover is being met. To combat the chlorine evaporation, consider switching to a Two-Speed or Variable Speed pool pump so you can circulate the water at lower RPM's during the hotter part of the day. 

Bonus: Running the pool according to this guide will not only save you money on electricity, but also on chlorine costs!

3. SHOCK THE POOL WEEKLY

Even under the most ideal conditions, your pool may be on the brink of turning green at any point. Along with your weekly regular maintenance and water testing, consider shocking the pool once a week at night to ensure that sanitizer levels stay in the optimal range of 3 parts per million. We recommend 1-2 gallons of liquid chlorine for instant dispersal. Consider adding the shock treatment as part of your regular routine generally before or after the pool has been heavily used. 

4. RUN THE PUMP ACCORDING TO THE SEASON

This one is pretty simple: The hotter the temperature, the longer the pool has to run. Conversely, if the outside temperature is colder you won't need to run the pool as long because a) the water isn't warm enough to stimulate algae growth and b) the chlorine isn't being evaporated as fast by the sun. General pool rule to live by is: Run the pool on full speed 1 Hour for every 10 degrees in the average high. If the average high is 90-100 degrees in the summer, then you should be running the pool a minimum 9-10 hours per day. 

5. BUY CHEMICALS IN BULK DURING THE OFF-SEASON

Lets be real; Pool Chemicals are not cheap and it seems like the prices are only going up. This may be just us but don't they seem to be more costly when you need them the most? Why not consider purchasing some of the more common items during the off-season in bulk such as: Chlorine Tabs, Algaecide, and Testing Supplies. Most local retailers will do sales on necessary pool chemicals during the off-season to make room for new inventory. Once the weather breaks you'll be ahead of the game!

6. CONSERVE WATER

Along with evaporation, there are a couple other factors that contribute to losing water in the pool such as: Leaks, Splash out, and Backwashing. An average sized pool will lose around an inch of water per week. You may consider a solar blanket to cover the pool when not in use to minimize direct sunlight contact. Another option is to plant trees and shrubs around the pool that help block wind, further restricting evaporation. Any leaks on your system should be handled sooner rather than later to minimize water loss and protect valuable equipment. Splash-out, or the result of people splashing, jumping in, and exiting the pool is a lot harder to predict. The only real way to combat this is to stay vigilant! Lastly, backwashing and filter cleaning; although essential to the longevity of your pool equipment, can also have a negative impact if performed too often. Backwashing uses your pool water as a flushing method to clean out your filter media. Backwashing too long can be extremely wasteful as it only takes about an average time of a minute or so to clean the filter. 

We've said it many times: Being a pool owner can be a costly endeavor, but with the right tips and tricks you can cut down on the expenses and increase your leisure time! Hopefully the advice found in this guide has helped alleviate some of your concerns as we move closer and closer to swim season. If you have any questions about this guide please feel free to contact us directly and our team of Pool Pro's would be happy to help you out! 

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