Salter Water vs. Chlorine Pool Systems

Introduction

Salt Water and chlorine pool systems both provide a solution to maintaining a clean pool. Both systems are effective at cleaning, but they have their own advantages and disadvantages. Read more to find out which is the right fit for your pool!

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Salt Water Systems

Salt water systems work by usitilizing a salt water cell that pushes the salt water past a group of titanium blades. Once the water reaches 60°F, a combiniation of the titanium, the water temperature, and salt utilizies the proccess of electrolysis to split the salt into a form of chlroine that cleans the pool water. This form of chlorine attacks harmful bacteria without the irritation of chloramines, which is common in chloring pools.

Salt systems are highly corrosive to equipment, such as, heaters, liners, lighting, fixtures, etc. For this reason it is very important to ensure all equipment used is compatible with any specific salt system.

Converting to a salt water system can be expensive endeavour. Depending on the size of a pool, the price can range anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. However the annual maintenance cost is far cheaper than chlorine. This is due to not needing to store as many chemicals as with a chlorine pool.

PROS

• Gentle on eyes and skin

• Low maintenance cost

• No need to store harmful chemicals

• Chlorine levels produced are enough to disinfect without fading swimwear or gear

• Effective cleaning

CONS

• Expensive initial investment

• Increased electricity usage during the peak season

• Corrosiveness that damages incompatible equipment

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Chlorine Pools

Chlroine is very effective at keeping pools clean and safe. However, to maintain the effectiveness it requires a more careful watch on the water's chemistry. It is a common misconception that the chlorine itself causes skin,eye , and respiratory irritation or the infamous "chlorine smell". However, this is not due to the chlorine and is due to chloramine. Chloramine happens when free chlorine is broadcasted into water and combines with other elements in the water. When broadcasted in excess, chlorine results in a higher pH value that is harmful and creates an enviorment full of chloramine. Regular water treatment and testing is important for this reason.

Storing chlorine and other hazardous chemical is dangerous. It is important to keep the chemicals for a chlorine pool in a cool moisture free environment that is well ventilated.

Storing a seasonal supply of chemicals is more expensive than a salt system. There has been an increase in chlorine prices due to supply shortages. The prices have been increasing since the pandemic. In 2021 the prices doubled from a steady price for nearly two decades.

PROS

• Less electricity usage

• Fixture friendly

• Effective cleaning

CONS

• Expensive annual maintenance cost

• Irritating chloramines

• Storage of harmful chemicals

• Chemical imbalances

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Conclusion

While both remain effective solutions to providing a clean and safe pool, we feel salt water systems are the better choice. The initial cost may be daunting, but the savings over a pool's lifetime and the lack of reliance on harmful chemicals makes a salt water system desireable. If it weren't for the larger room for error with chlorine pools, we'd reccomend sticking to the tried and true chlorine. Limiting the use of chemicals provides a safer enviornment and helps avoid the far too common chloramine heavy pool with the distinct "chlorine smell". Luckily these are issues that can be easily avoided with the assistance of a trained professional.