There are 10.4 million residential pools in the US, and the number is growing. With so many people now conscious of hygiene and with a trend to entertain at home, a pool has become a sought-after addition to property. But do you know the actual cost of ownership?
Luckily, it is not as high as people believe. Read on as we discuss the cost of owning a pool.
Pool Maintenance Costs
Many pool maintenance costs depend upon a number of factors. The biggest variable is the size of the pool and how often it will be used.
Annual Costs
Annual costs often include a lot of factors you may not have thought about. One of these is insurance. As a pool is an added risk, it will be reflected in the homeowner’s policy.
Don’t try to skimp on this either. If you have a pool, the chances are that you’ll be having guests around to use it. If they have an accident, the extra $20 to $30 on your premium will seem like nothing compared to the legal bills.
The cost of owning a pool also comes down to the very materials it needs to operate, water and electricity. While you may be able to cut corners on some maintenance and cleaning, these two are non-negotiable.
Depending on the size, electricity can cost $800 and carry on going upwards in scale. Water is cheaper, coming in at around $50 for a small pool and working upwards as size increases.
Closing and Opening the Pool
Another of your swimming pools costs is the opening and closing of a pool to start and end seasons. These are quite large maintenance tasks.
Opening the pool involves bringing the water level back up, along with the installation of all the lamps, ladders, and lights. Cleaning and maintenance have to be performed to get it back to working order, such as working the pump, cleaning, and shocking the pool.
Closing a pool means dropping the water level and ph value within it. A thorough clean needs to be done, so mold and algae do not proliferate. After this, a full winterizing of the equipment needs to be performed to safeguard from the elements.
As always, costs depend on the pool size. You can expect the opening to cost around $400 to $500 for an average pool, with closing ranging from $400 to $650.
Weekly Servicing
The purpose of a weekly clean and service is to keep the pool ph levels at the optimum position. This will be done with balancers, and chemical sanitizers and oxidizers. Not only will it keep the pool level right, but it will also prevent algae build-up.
Weekly service will also help you see any maintenance issues before they become larger, and more expensive, issues. Maintenance can be anywhere from $20 to $50.
Saltwater Maintenance
Saltwater pools are a little different, as they have a different chemical make-up and balance. A clean and maintenance can be done monthly instead of weekly. You can expect to pay around $80 to $95.
You can put a self-cleaning salt system in place, which helps wash off build-up. If not, this needs completing along with ph balancing, testing, and chlorine levels. However, most of the process is concentrated on keeping the right levels of salt in the system.
When it comes to equipment, saltwater machinery can cost a little more. Chorine generators will cost around $330. Each of these will use cells that can range from $200 to $1,400.
Resale Value
Another cost you should consider is actually one which is a huge benefit, and this is your resale value. The home value added from a swimming pool should also be considered as well as how desirable it will make your home look. You can have some serious curb appeal and selling power if you have a luxurious watery hideaway on the property.
On average, a pool can increase the resale value of your home by around 7%. On paper, this may not seem like a lot, but it is all relative to the overall value of the property. This number will also be influenced by a number of factors, such as the area the home is in and the size of the pool relative to the grounds.
Money-Saving Tips
When winterizing the pool, you can get kits to do this yourself. These chemical cleaning packs kill off the algae and bacteria so they don’t fester when the pool is not in use. They can cost anywhere from $20 to $60 dollars.
Another tip is to select the right pool. For example, fiberglass pools require very little maintenance. A concrete pool can use three times the amount of chemical to balance the ph, making costs increase drastically.
There are also a few items you can purchase that help save money. Variable speed pumps, for example, have more efficient motors. They allow you to drop the pump speed and run it for longer while consuming less power and saving on electricity bills.
Variable speed pumps are also much more environmentally friendly. Some states and areas now require them as standard for this reason.
Another way to save on electricity is to install a solar heater. You can keep your pool temperable by harnessing the energy from the sun. Using them will not only reduce your utility bill but may allow you access to tax breaks.
Cutting down on water consumption is tougher, but can be done with a number of small hints and tips. One way is to use a pool cover when it is not in use, and place wind-blocking items like screens and fences around the pool itself. Make sure regular maintenance also fixes any leaks.
Cost of Owning a Pool
Now you know the cost of owning a pool, you can start to set a budget. Work out what you can afford to run, and if you have time to cut costs by doing any maintenance yourself. From this, you can decide on the ideal pool for your needs.
Sahara Construction and Custom Pools should be your first stop for maintenance and installation. We serve Katy, Richmond, Cypress, Houston, and beyond. Contact us for a free consultation and dive headfirst into the world of a personal pool!
