The differences between salt water and chlorine pools

You want a pool, but you don’t know how to sanitize the water the most efficient way? You’re not alone. You’ve heard that salt water “is the best”. In order to help with the decision, here is a quick comparison of the two choices.

Cost

On the initial start up of the pool, chlorine is the cheaper option. A chlorinated pool only needs a simple erosion feeder at the equipment. Salt water pools use an electric “generator” at the equipment, which is more expensive. Over time, the generator will break down and it will need to be replaced. Which is an additional cost.

Maintenance

With a chlorine pool we recommend checking the water chemistry once a week. With a salt water pool you will need to check the balance three times a week. As the salt generator splits the salt to create chlorine, the chlorine that is being produced is a chlorine gas. The Ph of chlorine gas is very high. To counteract this you will need to add muriatic acid. If it goes unchecked for a few weeks or so, the high Ph can make your interior finish rough, it will eat up the seal in your pump, and rust out the heat exchanger in the water.

Using the pool

We install Ozone and UV with your chlorine pool. These help lower the chemical and chlorine needs up to 80%. If you spent much time in a pool as a kid, you probably remember having red burning eyes and green hair. This is from the Ph level being off. Salt water systems constantly change the Ph. Ozone and UV work together to prevent these things from happening. It is true that salt water may be softer on the skin, but no matter which you pick, just be sure that you are provided with all of the information.