Saltwater Pool vs. Chlorinated Pool: Which is Better For You?

Saltwater pools have exploded in popularity in recent years, primarily due to the fact that they’re low-odor. But there’s much more that goes into deciding between a saltwater or chlorinated pool than the stink and sting.

If you’ve been researching sanitizing options for your swimming pool, read on to discover the pros and cons of saltwater pools and chlorinated pools.

What is a Chlorinated Pool?

Chlorine pools are the most common pool type – it’s the type of pool that you’re used to swimming in. Chlorine pools are easily identifiable by the smell of the water, and often the irritation it causes to eyes and skin after swimming.

Chlorine systems rely on added chlorine, typically as a liquid, tabled or granules to sanitize the pool water.

Chlorine systems require weekly or bi-weekly testing to maintain the proper chemical balance in the water. These tests measure pH levels, alkalinity and levels of sanitizers like chlorine and bromine.

Depending on the chemical balance of the water, you will need to add chlorine and other chemicals to the pool water regularly.

What is a Saltwater Pool?

Contrary to popular belief, saltwater systems are not chlorine-free. When you opt for a saltwater or saline pool, your pool’s filtering system comes with a chlorine generator (also called a chlorinator). While saltwater pools use chlorine to sanitize the water, they are free of the chlorine smell – meaning there won’t be any irritation to eyes and skin.

Saltwater systems rely on added pool-grade salt to the water, and the generator converts the salt into chlorine, which is then sent back out to the pool to sanitize the water.

Saltwater pools require far less testing, only about once a month.

Although saltwater pools are more expensive up front, they tend to have lower maintenance costs.

The Pros and Cons of Chlorinated Pools

Pros

• Fewer Upfront Costs. Compared to saltwater systems, chlorine pools have very few upfront costs, as it is inexpensive to install an inline or offline chlorinator that houses the chlorine tablets. Or, you can simply put the chlorine tablets inside a floating chlorinator.

• Do-it-Yourself Maintenance. Chlorine systems are daily straightforward to saltwater systems, which rely on a complex chlorine generator, so it’s easier to perform maintenance on your own.

• Not Corrosive. Unlike saltwater systems, which cause corrosion to metal over time, chlorine does not cause any major damage to pool parts.

Cons

• Irritating Chemicals. Chlorine pools rely on chemicals to keep the water swim-safe, and some of the chemicals come with health risks. Beyond irritation to skin, eyes and hair, significant amounts of chloramines may lead to the development of asthma and allergy issues. Chlorine can also bleach swimwear, towels and other pool accessories.

• Buying and Checking Chemicals. While there are no major upfront costs to a chlorine pool, they do require a consistent supply of chlorine and other chemicals to balance your pool chemistry. This can add up over time, and the chemicals are more costly than the salt required for saltwater pools. You will also need to understand how to test your pool – once or twice a week – to maintain proper balance.

• Chemical Storage. Noteworthy for families with young children, animals or limited space: Chlorine must be stored in a safe location, as it is a hazardous substance.

The Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools

Pros

• Fewer Harsh Chemicals. The primary benefit of saltwater systems is that they have significantly lower levels of chlorine. As a result, the water is gentler on your skin, eyes and hair.

• Lower Maintenance. Generally speaking, the saltwater system does the work for you. Since the chlorine generator provides a slow introduction of chlorine to the pool, you don’t need algaecides. However, you do still need to balance the chemicals, but it only needs to be done about once a month.

• Cheaper to Maintain. When it comes to day-to-day maintenance, saltwater pools are cheaper to maintain as pool-grade salt costs a lot less than chlorine (and other chemicals needed for chlorine pools).

Cons

• High Upfront Costs. You’ll spend more on the initial installation of a saltwater pool over a basic chlorine-style pool. This is primarily due to the cost of the saltwater generator, which adds a few thousand dollars to the price tag.

• Increased Energy Bills. Another cost to keep in mind is the energy output. If you have a saltwater pool, you’ll likely be running your pool filter 24/7 to generate enough chlorine to clean the pool water. This will increase your energy bills.

• Saltwater is Corrosive. Saltwater tends to corrode any metal objects near the pool, such as ladders, handrails, diving boards, outdoor furniture or even nearby grills. Salt also corrodes natural stone, so any paving made of natural materials near the pool will eventually break down unless it’s properly sealed to keep out the water.*

*Vinyl pools, which are designed with metal walls, and plaster finishes on concrete pools are both susceptible to saltwater damage. Please consult with a pool expert before installing a saltwater pool.

If you’re interested in learning more about saltwater or chlorinated pools, contact us for more information. We’re here to make your dream pool a reality!

Pool Service and Management proudly serves the Tri-State Area. We are a residential and commercial pool company headquartered out of Montclair, in Essex County, New Jersey.

Call: 609-954-4327

Email: poolservicecompanymanagement@gmail.com