Having a pool in your backyard is always a great commodity. Not only will you always have a place to relax and enjoy your time after a long day at work, but it is also great for friendly gatherings and celebrations. When it comes to getting one of these, most people are only interested in the installation process and its cost.
If you are thinking about making this purchase, you cannot forget about the maintenance expenses you will have to pay on a monthly or yearly basis. Yes, some of these cannot be eliminated, which is why you have to consider whether you can afford them. There is no point in buying a pool if you cannot maintain it, and therefore, use it.
However, there are multiple tricks you can use to keep these expenses to the minimum, and hence, save a lot of money in the long run. If you are interested in finding out more about these, keep reading this article. Most of these tips are essential, but if you want to learn about common problems in traditional pools, click here.
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1. Use a pool cover
Let’s begin with something basic. A pool cover is an essential piece of equipment, and it is also the cheapest investment. There are two reasons why it is beneficial. Firstly, it will prevent the debris from falling into the pool. We are talking about the leaves, dust, even insects. This way, it will save you a lot of precious time you would spend cleaning everything.
Secondly, it will maintain the natural temperature of the water. Basically, it slows down the evaporation, meaning that the water keeps its temperature longer. Because of this, the heater won’t have to work as hard as it used, which means that you will save a lot of money on the electric bill. What’s more, you can also invest in a solar pool cover that will further help you cut the cost.
2. Save the water
You will probably be surprised, but it is not necessary to refill the pools as often as people do it. People are just wasting perfectly good water. So, what should you do to keep it this way for as long as possible? Yes, as you can assume, the right answer is to maintain it, but this doesn’t only include the cleaning aspect, which you can avoid by using the pool cover we have previously described.
Instead, you should retain the right levels of chemicals in the water and also check for leaks from time to time. When it comes to the former one, it is a simple task that will only take you a few minutes. Go to the local store, purchase the chemical set, and follow the instructions. This way, not only will you ensure the safety of everyone that uses the pool, but you will also prevent numerous issues from occurring, such as algae. Getting rid of these will cost you a lot of money, so don’t be careless and complete all these tasks. Moreover, when it comes to leaks, naturally, you should deal with them as soon as you notice the problem.
3. Disable water features
Let be honest for a minute here – is it really necessary to have these on when not using the pool? Obviously, the answer is no. Yes, some people enjoy the sound they make even when relaxing in the garden, but who is going to listen to it when they are not home? That’s right – no one.
If you have been wondering why your bills have been so high since you have installed the waterfall and deck jets, there’s your answer. Not only do these use a lot of energy, but they also speed up the evaporation process, and therefore, the water cools down faster. It means that not only do you have to pay for these, but the water heater will also have to work twice as hard, which will further increase the monthly bills.
4. Be smart about the filtration system
The cost these filters produce cannot be avoided. After all, these are an essential feature of every pool, meaning that you cannot install one without them. However, there is something you can do to reduce this expense.
Some people choose to run the filtration system 24/7 while others opt for a few hours a day. Still, the reality is that not only is it unnecessary to leave it on for most of the day, but you can also save a lot of money. With a little patience and observation, you will be able to understand how much time the filter in your pool needs to clean the water. Then, you can check with your electric company when the peak hours are, and strategically use this feature.
5. Go with the energy-efficient pump
This is another essential feature of the pool, but there is something interesting about these pumps. Basically, the traditional ones can only run at one speed. This may not seem like a problem, but you should think about those small, simple tasks. Yes, the pump uses the same amount of energy on those as it does on some more complex tasks. Do you see the problem now? This is the main reason why it is a smart decision to invest in an energy-efficient pump. Just try to calculate how much money you will save over the lifetime of this device.
6. Lower the temperature of the water
Naturally, we are not saying that you should swim in cold water just to save money. However, it is a good idea to keep it as cool as possible, while it is still comfortable. Yes, we all want to chill in the bathwater outside, but keep in mind that the warmer water is, the higher your bill will be.
Avoid overheating the water because not only is it expensive, but it is also unnecessary. Figure out what the right temperature is and stick to it. Finally, it goes without a saying that you should turn the heater off when not using the pool.
