Owning a pool is one of life’s great luxuries. Enable you and your family to build lasting summer memories and enjoy precious moments of peace and relaxation. However, maintaining a pool can sometimes feel like a chore, and let’s face it, the costs of keeping your pool clean, safe, and efficient can add up.
The good news? With the right strategies, you can reduce maintenance expenses without compromising the quality of your pool care. Like maintaining your home, little and often works wonders at keeping those unexpected costs at bay, and ensures the longevity of your pool. Whether you’re a new pool owner or an experienced one, these tips will help you save money while keeping your pool in pristine condition all season long.
1. Regular Maintenance Saves Money in the Long Run
Consistency is key to successful pool maintenance and is one of the easiest ways to save money. Neglecting small tasks can lead to bigger (and more expensive) problems down the line, like algae blooms, clogged filters, or damaged equipment. And, of course, in the worst cases, these issues can lead to health problems, which are easily avoided.
Here’s how regular maintenance helps you save:
- Daily Skimming and Weekly Cleaning: Removing debris from the surface of your pool prevents it from clogging your filtration system or causing algae growth.
- Brushing and Vacuuming: Regularly brushing pool walls and vacuuming the bottom prevents the buildup of dirt, algae, and scale, reducing the need for costly chemical treatments. We have an impressive array of robot pool vacuums if this is a chore you’re looking to outsource.
- Filter Cleaning: A clean filter keeps your water flowing properly and reduces strain on your pump, saving energy and extending its lifespan.
2. Invest in Energy-Efficient Pool Equipment
Upgrading to energy-efficient equipment might initially seem like an investment, but the long-term savings make it well worth it. Modern energy-efficient pool products are designed to reduce electricity use, lower water consumption, and minimize chemical waste.
Here are a few upgrades to consider:
- Variable-Speed Pool Pumps: These pumps consume significantly less energy than traditional single-speed pumps, often cutting energy costs by up to 70%.
- LED Pool Lighting: LED lights last longer and use less electricity than standard halogen lights, saving you money on replacements and energy bills.
- Solar Pool Covers: These covers help retain heat, reducing the need for expensive pool heaters. They also minimize water evaporation, which means lower water bills.
- Energy-Efficient Heaters: Heat your pool more effectively with less energy by upgrading to a modern, energy-efficient heater.
At Waterworks, we specialize in sourcing and installing energy-efficient pool equipment for the environmentally-conscious homeowner. We can help you find the right upgrades to start saving on your pool’s operating costs today while also reducing your carbon footprint.
3. Optimize Your Chemical Use
Chemicals play a vital role in maintaining safe and clean pool water, but using them inefficiently can drive up costs. Overusing chemicals or failing to balance your water properly wastes money and can damage your pool surfaces and equipment, as well as cause skin issues.
Here’s how to optimize your chemical use:
- Test Your Water Weekly: Regular testing ensures your chemical levels are within the ideal range, so you’re not overcorrecting or adding unnecessary products.
- Use Stabilizers: Protect chlorine from breaking down under UV rays by adding a stabilizer like cyanuric acid. This prevents you from needing to add chlorine as frequently.
- Maintain Proper pH and Alkalinity: Balanced pH and alkalinity make chlorine more effective, so you don’t have to use as much. The ideal pH range is 7.2–7.8, and alkalinity should be between 80–120 ppm.
For precise water testing and chemical balancing, we offer free professional water testing services in our showroom, so please take advantage of this service. Our team ensures your pool chemistry is perfectly balanced, saving you money on excessive chemical use.
Read more about pool water balancing:
Balancing Pool Chemicals Is So Much More Than Adjusting Chlorine
4. Reduce Water and Heat Loss
Losing water and heat unnecessarily can quickly inflate your pool maintenance costs. Simple steps to reduce this waste can make a big difference:
- Invest in a High-Quality Pool Cover: A pool cover reduces water evaporation by up to 90%, saving water and the chemicals needed to rebalance it. It also helps retain heat, reducing energy costs by using a heater.
- Check for Leaks Regularly: Even small leaks can waste a surprising amount of water over time. If you suspect a leak, have it inspected and repaired promptly.
- Maintain Proper Water Levels: Keeping your water at the recommended level helps your pool equipment run efficiently and prevents damage.
5. Know When to Call the Professionals
While DIY maintenance can save you money on smaller tasks like skimming and water testing, there are times when it’s worth calling in the experts. Attempting to fix complex issues on your own can lead to costly mistakes.
Here are a few situations where professional help is essential:
- Diagnosing and repairing equipment issues.
- Balancing water chemistry when problems persist or you don’t feel confident in your knowledge.
- Seasonal openings and closings to ensure your pool is properly prepared for the season.
Waterworks’ professional maintenance services are designed to save you time, money, and stress. Our technicians are highly trained to handle everything from routine care to complex repairs. We maintain pools of all shapes and sizes, and also offer pool opening and closing. Learn more about these services by clicking here.
6. Bonus Tips for Cost-Effective Pool Care
Here are a few more quick tips to help you save:
- Run your pool pump during off-peak electricity hours to reduce energy costs.
- Use a robotic pool cleaner to save time and effort.
- Regularly trim trees and shrubs around your pool to reduce debris.
- Winterize your pool properly to avoid damage during the colder months.
Why Choose Waterworks for Your Pool Maintenance Needs?
At Waterworks Pools & Spas, we’re committed to helping you enjoy your pool while controlling maintenance costs. From energy-efficient upgrades to professional maintenance services, we provide everything you need for a stress-free, cost-effective pool season.
Saving money on pool maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated. Stay consistent with maintenance or outsource it altogether to keep your pool in top shape year after year. And when you partner with Waterworks, you’ll have access to expert advice, high-quality products, and reliable services that make pool care easier than ever.
Ready to take pool maintenance off your to-do list? Or need a hand ensuring your methods are effective? Contact Waterworks Pools & Spas today to learn more about our maintenance services.
194 Killam Drive, Moncton, NB.
Waterworks Pools & Spas.
Complete bespoke solutions for backyards across Atlantic Canada.