How to Save Money on Pool Maintenance Costs
Cash. Dollars. Dough. Whatever you call it, money plays a role in virtually every aspect of your home. And if you’re lucky enough to have a pool, you know that it factors into your budget. Saving money on pool maintenance costs is can seem tricky. But it's a lot easier than you might expect. Below are 10 pool maintenance tips that can save you money if you take care of your own pool.
1. Take Care of Your Tools
Store your cleaning attachments like your skimmer net, brush, and vacuum head, as well as any other equipment, out of the sunlight. This will prevent you from having to replace them frequently. Rinse tools off with fresh water after cleaning your pool to clean off any chemicals. Simple things like this can double the life of your cleaning equipment and save on pool maintenance costs.
2. Save Energy on Heating
Use a solar cover, also called a solar blanket, to maintain the heat in your pool, attract heat from the sun, keep debris out. As an added bonus, solar covers also help reduce evaporation (more on that below). Solar covers are a great investment, especially if you have a heater. Installing the cover when not using your pool will help prevent heat loss, so the water will stay warmer longer, and you'll save on your monthly utility bill.
3. Don't Blow Your Cover
If you close your pool in the winter, use a pool cover pump to get dirty water off the top of your cover. When the cover is dry, use a broom to sweep away leaves and debris. A clean cover will be easy to remove, and you’ll be able to reuse it for the next winter. No one wants to buy a new pool cover every year… it’s expensive!
4. Prepare a Pump Plan
During the hottest part of the summer, run your single speed pump one hour for every 10ºF of air temperature each day to keep the water clean and moving to prevent algae. If you have a variable speed pump, run the pump on high speed for at least 3–4 hours, and run it on low speed for an additional 8–10 hours per day to keep the water healthy. During cooler temperatures, or in mild climates, run your pump less to save energy and pool maintenance costs. You can find more information about pool pump run time on our blog. Running your pool pump at night, during off-peak hours, can cost less depending on your utility plan.
5. Use Variable Speeds for All Your Pool Needs
Keep your pool water clean and your energy bill low by installing a variable speed pool pump. Although the upfront cost is higher than a single speed pump, variable speed pumps save you money in the long run by reducing your energy costs up to 90%. Find out just how much you can save with our energy savings calculator.
6. Sign Up and Save
Looking to save the most money on pool chemicals? Sign up for Leslie's email newsletters and stay "in the know" on promotions and special offers. You can also sign up for a FREE Leslie's Pool Perks membership to gain access to exclusive deals and benefits, plus you'll earn 5% in Perks rewards on every purchase. What's not to love about that?
7. Bring Balance to the Pool
Keep your pool water balanced and shock your pool every week to keep chlorine working effectively, which will save on pool maintenance costs. For even more efficiency, use enzymes and keep phosphate levels below 100 parts per billion. If your chlorine level is low or the water is out of balance, you’ll pay for it with green or cloudy water. To clear it up, you’ll have to shock the pool and run your filter 24/7. Talk about pumping money into your pool!
8. Add Technology to Your Cleaning Routine
Robotic pool cleaners are a pool’s best friend. They clean and filter an entire pool quickly. Robotic cleaners can be used when your pool pump and filter system are not running. While they may be pricey upfront, robotic pool cleaners save you money down the road. Not only do they cost pennies to operate, but they'll reduce the amount of strain on your pump and filter, helping them to avoid repairs longer. They can also help reduce the amount of time you need to run your pump each day during hot weather.
9. Protect Your Chlorine
Always keep an eye on your chlorine stabilizer level. Maintaining the appropriate level of Cyanuric Acid — between 30–50 ppm — protects chlorine from being destroyed by the sun. Don't let the beautiful sunshine pull your hard-earned money right out of your pool!
10. Don't Waste a Drop
Limit evaporation by covering your pool with a solar cover when it’s not in use, or use a liquid solar cover. Solar covers can help reduce water loss to evaporation by as much as 60–90%, while liquid covers can help with a 30–50% reduction. Use both for maximum impact.
Check regularly for cracks or leaks in your pool and in your pool filter and pump. It's estimated that nearly 30% of pools experience cracks or leaks. Also, don’t backwash your filter too long or too often; you only need to backwash if your filter pressure gauge is 8–10 psi over your clean filter starting pressure. The average backwash for a typical sand filter uses more than 200 gallons of water. Check out our blog to learn more about pool water conservation tips.
These simple tips help you save serious money on pool maintenance costs, while also keeping your pool healthy and ready for you to enjoy! For more helpful tips and info, stop by your local Leslie’s and speak with one of our pool care experts.