Originally Posted by PoolBrews (Post 2029264)

Wow. I've owned a pool for nearly 40 years in 3 states. My costs were never close to the costs you list. It was higher when I had a regular chlorine pool vs my last two being saltwater (with a chlorine generator). My saltwater pools were exceedingly cheap to maintain.

Most of the chemicals you list are not chemicals I would ever put in my pool. Pool store chemicals are just the basic chemicals listed below with additives so they can upcharge the product. Most of these additives are not good for your pool. The only chemicals you need on a consistent basis are:
* Salt (if you have a saltwater pool)
* Liquid chlorine (only used if you have to shock - I only shocked my pool once last year)
* Cyanuric Acid (CYA also called Stabilizer - helps keep chlorine in water)
* Muriatic Acid (lowers pH)
* Borax (rarely used - raises pH)

On a yearly basis I go through:
* (1) 40lb bag of Salt
* (4 - 8) gallons of liquid chlorine
* (1) 25lb bag of Cyanuric Acid
* (5) gallons of Muriatic Acid
* (?) Borax... I haven't used up the 3 lb box I bought 3 years ago

Originally Posted by Kenswing (Post 2045516)

Just curious. If you have a salt water pool why the need for liquid chlorine? I adjust my chlorine level by adjusting the salt cell conversion percent.

Originally Posted by PoolBrews (Post 2028432)

Electric costs for the pool itself are minimal - for me, it amounted to ~$10/month on my bill. Make sure that the pump they provide is a variable speed pump and not a single or two speed pump. Your pool will filter just fine at a much lower RPM. The pump (other than a heater, if you get one) is the single biggest electrical user in the pool system. When run at 40%, it uses 90%-95% less energy than when run at 100%.

If you add a heat pump (I highly suggest you do), it will add on about $30/month during peak cold months and less during warmer months (and of course $0 during summer months). This pricing is for a 7K gallon pool.

With regards to maintenance, I do it myself. It's very easy, and ongoing chemical costs are minimal, maybe around $10/month. Check out a site called Trouble Free Pool (TFP). Tons of advice concerning any aspect of pools - equipment, builders, maintenance, etc. Their free online "Pool School" is 10 times better than the few minutes your pool builder gives you, and tells you exactly what to check, how, and what to add when needed.

Here are some of my Do's and Don'ts when looking at a pool.

Do's and Don'ts
Do: Replace dual drains with Channel Drain
Do: Install handrail at build time
Do: Get a robot to clean pool and sidewalls (Buy on your own after install)
Do: Get a salt water pool. It's much easier to maintain, uses far less chemicals, and is considerably cheaper in the long run
Do: Ensure salt cell is rated for minimum 2x pool size (mine is 5x). Cell will last far longer as it only has to run at 10% or so.
Do: Get a heat pump if you want to swim year round.
Do: If you decide to heat, get the largest heat pump available (140K). Larger heaters are more efficient and heat faster.
Do: Get a water line run near equipment pad
Do: Get autofill/drain (an absolute MUST here in Florida)
Do: Get full automation. You can dramatically reduce electric costs with automation.
Do: Make sure pump is Variable Speed
Do: Go with a larger filter (300-400 sq ft)
Don't: Install suction return line. It's just in the way, and the robot mentioned above is far superior to cleaning.
Don't: Get in-floor cleaning. Expensive upgrade, long term maintenance costs, and won't clean better than the $700 robot.
Don't: Get solar expecting it to keep your pool at mid to high 80's during fall and winter months. You'll still need a heat pump.
Don't: Give builder final payment until pool is operational (If you can get builder to agree - most won't).

Hope this helps!