There’s a common misconception that salt water and chlorine pools are widely different—that one doesn’t have chlorine and the other does. Even though they have dissimilarities, both are chlorine pools.
The NaCl in salt water pools is electrically converted into chlorine, which sanitizes the water in the same way all other pools are sanitized.
So, what’s the difference between them?
Chlorine Pools
Chlorine pools are sanitized by pucks or granulated chlorine. Over a few days, the pucks dissolve and add stabilized sanitizer to the water, which keeps it clean.
Every few days, you have to add more pucks to your skimmer to maintain the chlorine level.
When you use pucks, you have to keep a careful eye on the chlorine level because it’s more likely to fluctuate than with salt water.
Salt Water Pools
Salt water pools are sanitized by chlorine. A salt cell converts the NaCl in the water into chlorine, and usually maintains a stabilized level day-in and day-out.
What attracts so many people to having salt water is its ease. Once you set the salt cell to produce the desired level of chlorine, you don’t have to monitor it very closely. So, if you’re not using your pool for a few days, you don’t have to run out and check on it like you would with a chlorine puck pool.
The Price
This is what everyone wants to know—what’s cheaper?
In the long run, both sanitizers cost about the same amount.
With salt water pools, you have to spend a lot of money upfront to buy the salt, the cell, and the monitor. All of this can be quite pricey, but, other than regular maintenance, you don’t have to worry about the equipment for up to five years. And, throughout the season, you don’t have to buy chlorine pucks on a regular basis.
With chlorine pools, there’s relatively no initial cost. There’s only the price of buying chlorine pucks every month or so.
So, which is better?
I can’t tell you. It all comes down to personal preference.
Either way, with a careful eye, your pool will keep sparkling clean this summer!
Talk to one of our specialists at Valley Pool and Spa to learn more about what sanitizer is best for your pool!