Whether you’re planning to build a new pool or thinking about upgrading an existing one, you’ve probably encountered a thorny dilemma: saltwater or chlorine?
Both chlorine and saltwater sanitizing systems are safe and effective ways to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and algae from your pool water. The option you choose should depend on several factors, such as your budget, your sensitivity to chlorine, and your willingness to perform weekly pool maintenance. Read on to learn everything you need to know about saltwater vs. chlorine pools.
Key Takeaways
- A chlorine pool provides quick sanitization that is less expensive up-front, but it will require you to handle harsh chemicals and perform weekly maintenance.
- A saltwater pool is gentler on skin and hair and requires less time and money to maintain, but installing the generator involves a hefty up-front investment.
- Both types of pools require regular upkeep to perform at their peak.
What is a saltwater pool?
When most people hear “saltwater pool,” they imagine their own personal ocean grotto. In reality, the concentration of salt in a saltwater pool is about 1/10 that of ocean water — closer to the concentration found in human tears. You probably won’t even notice the salt while you’re swimming.
In a saltwater pool, a special generator called a salt chlorinator converts salt into a small and steady flow of chlorine to sanitize your pool. Though a saltwater pool is chlorinated, it feels and smells very different from a traditional pool. That’s because the water contains fewer chloramines — compounds that create that distinctive chlorine odor and irritate your skin.
How do saltwater pools work?
Salt chlorinators use a chemical process called electrolysis to manufacture chlorine. To convert your traditional pool to saltwater, you first install a salt chlorinator and then add a specific type of salt to your pool water.
As the water moves through your pool’s filtration system, the chlorinator breaks the salt down into hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite, the same chemicals found in traditional chlorine pools. This process allows you to enjoy a sanitized pool without having to handle chlorine directly.
Types of salt to use in a saltwater pool
When it comes to converting your pool to saltwater, not just any salt will do. If you don’t use the right type of salt at the right grind, you risk damaging your pool. You can find pool salt at your local pool supply store. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how much to add to your pool.
- Recommended Salts: Most salt generators are compatible with exceptionally pure salts like solar salt, mined salt, and evaporated salt.
- Salts to Avoid: Steer away from Epsom salts, Himalayan salt, and rock salt, which all contain additives that can damage pool equipment and compromise water quality.
Pros of saltwater pools
For many pool owners, a saltwater system is well worth the hype.
- Gentler on Skin and Hair: Swimmers can often feel the difference as soon as they step into a saltwater pool. The water feels soft and silky, doesn’t discolor hair or bathing suits, and has no unpleasant chlorine smell. You may not even feel the need to shower after a swim.
- Less Maintenance: The chlorine that sanitizes your pool is automatically produced by the salt chlorinator as long as it is in good repair. You still must occasionally check the pool’s water quality and add small amounts of chlorine as needed, but you won’t need many supplies to do so. Need increased sanitization for a pool party? Simply turn your chlorinator up.
- No Need to Store Chlorine: If you have kids or pets, you’ll be glad to hear that a saltwater pool reduces the amount of chlorine you must keep on hand for pool maintenance.
Cons of saltwater pools
Saltwater pools aren’t the right choice for every family. There are a few reasons that consumers report steering away from saltwater.
- High Initial Costs: Though saltwater pools can be great for your budget in the long term, installing a salt chlorinator can cost between $500-2000, depending on the size of your pool. You’ll also need to pay a licensed pool plumber for in-line installation. Once it’s installed, however, your chlorinator will sanitize your pool for years to come.
- Requires More Electricity: The salt chlorinator must be powered by an electrical connection near your filtration system. Because the generator provides your pool with a small but continuous supply of chlorine, it must run at all times to keep your pool properly sanitized. That can add to your electric bill.
- Potential Corrosion: Salt is corrosive, especially to porous coping stones that many homeowners install around their pools. You may need to seal or replace these stones when converting to saltwater. Saltwater systems can also corrode metal pool components like diving boards, ladders, and handrails.
What is a chlorine pool?
Though saltwater pools have gained popularity over the past few decades, most pools in the United States are chlorine pools.
Chlorine is one of the essential elements found on the periodic table that you might remember from chemistry class. Adding chlorine to your pool disinfects the water and oxidizes contaminants like sweat, urine, oil, and algae. To maintain a chlorine pool, you must also use other chemicals that balance the water’s pH and remove germs.
How do chlorine pools work?
Chlorine pools use a much larger amount of chlorine than saltwater pools. Adding the chlorine directly to your pool water in tablet, liquid, or granule form provides fast and effective sanitization that lasts a long time.
Unlike saltwater pools, chlorine pools don’t receive a gradual flow of sanitizing chemicals all day and night. That means you’ll need to test your pool regularly to ensure that its pH and chemicals are properly balanced.
Pros of chlorine pools
Chlorine pools are the industry standard for a couple of very important reasons.
- Lower Initial Costs: Chlorine pools do not require a salt chlorinator, so up-front costs are lower. You do need some sort of chlorinator, but that doesn’t have to break the bank: a floating one can cost less than $20. You’ll also save money on labor: you can test and balance your pool water and perform routine maintenance yourself.
- Uses Less Electricity: Because chlorine pools don’t require a generator to run 24/7 to clean your pool, they can save you money on your electrical bill. You will need to run your pool pump, but you can keep your pool sanitary while running the pump just 8-12 hours a day.
- Doesn’t Cause Corrosion: Unlike salt, chlorine is not corrosive. That means you don’t need to worry about damage to the metal or stone components of your pool.
Cons of chlorine pools
Despite their conveniences, chlorine pools do have a few drawbacks you should consider.
- Harsher on Skin and Hair: Especially if you spend lots of time in your chlorine pool, you might notice that your eyes sting or that your hair and skin become dry. Chlorine can also discolor blond hair, bathing suits, and towels. Some people are also sensitive to the smell of chlorine in a traditional pool.
- More Maintenance: To keep your chlorine pool safe, it’s necessary to test and balance its chemicals each week. This process isn’t difficult, and the chemicals are easy to obtain from your pool supply store, but it can add up over time. Chlorine pool owners report spending an average of $300-800 on chemicals per year.
- Requires Proper Chlorine Storage: To maintain your pool effectively, you’ll need to keep chlorine on hand. Since it is a hazardous chemical, you must store it out of the reach of kids and pets. Adults handling chlorine and other pool chemicals must take safety precautions, as well.
How to choose between a saltwater and chlorine pool
Choosing between a saltwater or chlorine pool can be tough! Saltwater gives you softer water and easier maintenance, but it can be an expensive investment. Chlorine pools are cheaper up front, but are more complicated to upkeep and can sometimes cause skin and eye irritation.
When you’re making the choice between a saltwater pool and a chlorine pool, trust an expert. Anthony & Sylvan has 75+ years of experience in the pool industry. We’ve worked on over one million pools nationwide, so we know exactly how to build, renovate, and maintain your perfect pool.
If you’ve still got questions about pool sanitization, request a free consultation with an Anthony and Sylvan pool professional today.
