Saltwater vs. Chlorine: The Pros and Cons

Saltwater vs. Chlorine. The battle still rolls on today.

This is one of the most polarizing questions pool owners and prospective buyers face today. With so much information readily available on one side or the other, we are here to debunk this age-old debate.

PLOT TWIST: a saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool.

That's right. You read that correctly.  A saltwater system is actually one of the top-selling CHLORINE pool systems. The biggest difference lies in the fact that a saltwater system typically has less chlorine than your standard chlorine tablet system. The salt is added to the pool and through a handy salter water generator and some old-fashioned electrolysis it is converted to chlorine to sanitize the swimming pool.

The Pros and Cons of a Saltwater System.

One of the major benefits of a "saltwater" pool is the fact that its chlorine levels are much kinder on human skin and allergies, and it is also much softer on your eyes. So if you're sensitive to chemicals, salt might be the way to go.

While a chlorine pool will typically need tablets every week, a saltwater pool can last up to two weeks without intervention. Many pool owners feel that the maintenance on a salt pool is actually much easier and less time-consuming than a chlorine pool. They also report that they spend less money on chemicals than chorine pool owners. If you're looking to save time and money on maintenance, then salt water may be the way to go.

But there are costs that saltwater pool owners pay that chlorine doesn't. You could be looking at costs of up to 2,500 dollars for a saltwater system installation. You could recoup that money in a few years but it's definitely something to keep in mind when making your decision.

You should also know that many of the problems that could arise with your system may require help that only a professional can resolve. So there will be added costs there. You'll also be adding costs to your electricity bill with a salt system adding between $36 and $48 per year to your bill.

Overall, both are excellent options, but it comes down to your desire to make the investment. If you are willing to spend a little more up-front but want to spend less time and money on weekly maintenance, saltwater might be the option for you. If you can't front that cost right now and are willing to put the time in on maintenance, Chlorine is just the option you are looking for.

What do you think about your system? Tell us below!

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