Salt or Chlorine?
Swimming pools offer a refreshing escape from the summer heat and a place for recreation, exercise, and relaxation. One of the fundamental choices pool owners face is whether to use saltwater or chlorine for pool sanitation. This blog aims to provide a comparative analysis of saltwater and chlorine pools, examining their advantages and disadvantages in terms of maintenance, cost, comfort, and environmental impact.
Saltwater Pools
A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean. There’s around 3,000 ppm (parts per million) salinity in a saltwater pool. By comparison, there are 35,000 ppm in the ocean. Saltwater pools use a salt chlorinator to produce chlorine through a chemical process known as electrolysis. This results in a consistent, low-level chlorine concentration, making them gentler on the skin and eyes. Maintenance in a saltwater pool is generally lower than in a traditional chlorine pool. Owners appreciate the ease of maintenance, as it requires fewer chemicals and less frequent monitoring.
Advantages:
Reduced skin and eye irritation: The lower chlorine concentration in saltwater pools is less likely to cause irritation, making them more comfortable for swimmers.
Lower maintenance: Regular salt levels and automated chlorination systems reduce the need for constant monitoring and chemical adjustments.
Softer water: Saltwater pools tend to have a smoother feel, similar to natural seawater without the salt taste.
Disadvantages:
Initial cost: The installation of a salt chlorinator system is more expensive.
With the state-of-the-art automation:
The salt system is $1,025 more initially. Converting to salt would cost around $2,200.
For an automation system that has the ability to add a salt cell later on easily, the cost difference is $592.
Corrosion risk: Salt can cause corrosion of pool equipment and nearby metal fixtures, which may require regular maintenance.
The new Hayward S3 salt system can operate at half the salt levels of the previous version, approximately 1,700 PPM. The corrosion risk is minimal.
Note: Most modern equipment, particularly Hayward equipment, is designed to be used with salt generators.
Chlorine Pools
Chlorine pools use traditional chlorination methods, with chlorine tablets, liquid, or powder added manually or through automatic feeders. The chlorine levels need to be closely monitored and adjusted as needed to maintain water quality.
Advantages:
Lower initial cost: Traditional chlorine pools are typically less expensive to install.
Faster sanitation: Chlorine can quickly address pool contamination issues due to its rapid disinfecting properties.
No risk of equipment corrosion: Unlike saltwater pools, there is no risk of corrosion to pool equipment.
Note: Most equipment, particularly Hayward equipment, is designed to be used with salt generators.
Disadvantages:
Skin and eye irritation: Higher chlorine levels may cause skin and eye irritation for swimmers.
Ongoing maintenance: Regular monitoring and chemical adjustments are necessary, potentially leading to increased maintenance.
Environmental Impact
Handling dangerous chemicals regularly.
Environmental Impact:
In terms of environmental impact, saltwater pools have the advantage of producing chlorine on-site, reducing the transportation and production of chlorine chemicals, which can be harmful to the environment. However, they may consume more energy due to the electrolysis process. Chlorine pools require the transportation and use of chlorine chemicals, which can be less eco-friendly.
Conclusion
The choice between saltwater and chlorine pools ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs. Saltwater pools offer gentler, more comfortable swimming experiences with reduced maintenance but come with higher initial costs. Chlorine pools are less expensive to install but require more maintenance and may cause more skin and eye irritation. Additionally, saltwater pools may have a slight environmental edge in terms of reduced chlorine chemical use. When making a decision, pool owners should consider their budget, desired level of comfort, and commitment to maintenance.
Helpful Links from Hayward about Salt Sanitization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwg_FH7F1jI
https://hayward.com/why-hayward/explore-products/better-sanitization
