Which is better, a chlorine pool or a salt water pool? The answer is: it depends. Saltwater pools are more expensive to maintain, but for many pool owners, the benefits of salt water are well worth the additional cost. We’ll lay out the pros and cons in detail here so you can decide for yourself.
Keep in mind, you can always switch from having a salt water pool to a chlorine pool very easily, just by no longer adding salt or running your salt cell. It’s typical for pool owners to do so at the time their salt cell needs to be replaced since it is an expensive piece of equipment. Converting a chlorine pool to salt water is a little more complicated but also doable. A salt cell will need to be installed on your existing equipment, salt added to the pool, and certain pool fixtures may need to be replaced with ones appropriate for salt water.
Pros: Salt Water Pools
Most of the benefits that come with having a saltwater pool are based on the fact that they require less chlorine to stay properly disinfected than a chlorine pool. Salt cells do generate actual chlorine, but because it’s generating it consistently on daily basis, less liquid chlorine needs to be added to the pool and you all shouldn’t need a chlorine float filled with tabs either.
- More enjoyable swimming experience overall
- Doesn’t dry out your skin as much
- Better for your hair (exfoliates and increases blood flow to the scalp)
- Doesn’t fade bathing suits or pool toys as fast (especially important if you wear more expensive bathing suits)
- Increased buoyancy makes it easier to swim and float
- Can be easily switched to a chlorine pool at any time if the cost becomes prohibitive
Cons: Salt Water Pools
Generally speaking, the only downside to having a salt water pool is the additional cost of maintaining it. The one exception is a potential complication with pools that are finished with Pebble Tec instead of concrete plaster (more info in the last bullet point below).
- Being a more complex system, it’s important to hire companies for service and repairs that are specifically familiar with salt water systems.
- Salt cells need to be replaced every 5-7 years, even when well maintained (average cost $700-$1,100).
- Salt cells require an acid bath every 3-6 months (Orange Coast charges $45 for this service).
- Salt cells use a fair amount of electricity running for 6-8 hours a day (whenever your pool pump is running).
- Pool salt needs to be added regularly, about once per month (Orange Coast charges $20/bag, but you can buy your own for cheaper if you buy it in bulk at The Home Depot or a similar store).
- Unless your pool was originally constructed as a salt water pool, lighting covers and other fixtures may need to be replaced with ones specific for salt water.
- A chlorine float isn’t needed (they can get in the way and can be considered unsightly).
- A buildup of white calcium can form on pools finished with Pebble Tec, usually concentrated at the bottom of the spa, and especially noticeable if your pool is a dark color.
Pros: Chlorine Pools
The benefits of salt water pools should be taken with a grain of salt (see what I did there?) since they also have chlorine, even though it can be as little as half compared to a chlorine pool at any given time (they turn salt into chlorine while the system is running). That being said, chlorine pools also have some distinct benefits as well.
- Doesn’t “burn your eyes” any more than a salt water pool despite popular opinion (both should have low enough chlorine levels that this is a non-issue). The sensation of burning eyes has more to do with the amount of time spent swimming with your face under water.
- Overall less expensive to build and maintain
- Doesn’t require special fixtures or equipment that are specific to salt water pools
- Uses less electricity because it doesn’t need to run a salt cell
- Simpler system makes it easier to find companies for service and repairs (since they don’t need to be specifically familiar with salt water systems)
- Better suited for pools finished with Pebble Tec since it won’t cause such a large buildup of calcium in your pool or especially your spa
Cons: Chlorine Pools
- Requires more chlorine to be added during weekly service and kept at an overall higher chlorine level
- Harsher on skin and hair
- Fades bathing suits and pool toys faster
- Swimming experience can be considered less enjoyable due to less buoyancy
The Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, each pool owner needs to decide for themselves which type of pool makes the most sense. It usually boils down to whether or not the benefits of salt water sound like they are worth the additional cost, but no matter which kind of system you have, you can count on Orange Coast to keep it in prime condition.