Pools in winter: cut pump hours or drain the water?
Filling a 7x5 metre pool costs 200 euros. Winter savings options: fewer pump hours, draining, or heavy chlorination, each with its own risks.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Cutting pump hours in winter or paying 200 euros for water
Keeping a pool running through winter is not free: you either pay 200 euros in water or risk your health with poorly dosed chlorine. But there are nuances many owners overlook when considering cutting back on pump hours.
The pump dilemma
Reducing daily filtration time from three hours to less in winter is what many look for to save on electricity. However, stagnant water without circulation allows algae and bacteria to thrive, and the cost of a later clean-up can exceed the savings. The most drastic solution, draining the pool, means spending more than 200 euros on refill water, according to the discussion, plus damage to the shell if it is not done correctly.
Draining and using a cover
Draining the pool and covering it with a tarp avoids winter maintenance, but it has drawbacks: the cost of refilling in summer (more than 200 euros), the risk of the tarp deteriorating, and possible deformation of the lining due to lack of hydrostatic pressure. It is not a trivial decision, especially when water prices vary by location.
Heavy chlorination: savings with risks
Another alternative is to keep the water with massive doses of chlorine and a cover, without using the pump. This method saves electricity, but it carries risks: an excessive chlorine concentration can be dangerous to health (eyes, lungs and skin) if not checked before swimming. In addition, chloramines – the result of chlorine reacting with urea – build up and can irritate the skin. It is recommended to replace at least a third of the water every year to avoid problems.
Conclusion: every pool is different
Until some local council decides to subsidise penny-pinching, the best approach is to calculate the cost of water and electricity and decide sensibly. For those with access to cheap water, draining and refilling in summer may be viable; for those looking to minimise costs, controlled chlorination is an option, always with caution. The debate remains open: there is no single solution, but the price of water and electricity makes the difference.
Related threads in the forum
Keeping a pool running through winter is not free: you either pay 200 euros in water or risk your health with poorly dosed chlorine. But there are nuances many owners overlook when considering cutting back on pump hours.
The pump dilemma
Reducing daily filtration time from three hours to less in winter is what many look for to save on electricity. However, stagnant water without circulation allows algae and bacteria to thrive, and the cost of a later clean-up can exceed the savings. The most drastic solution, draining the pool, means spending more than 200 euros on refill water, according to the discussion, plus damage to the shell if it is not done correctly.
Draining and using a cover
Draining the pool and covering it with a tarp avoids winter maintenance, but it has drawbacks: the cost of refilling in summer (more than 200 euros), the risk of the tarp deteriorating, and possible deformation of the lining due to lack of hydrostatic pressure. It is not a trivial decision, especially when water prices vary by location.
Heavy chlorination: savings with risks
Another alternative is to keep the water with massive doses of chlorine and a cover, without using the pump. This method saves electricity, but it carries risks: an excessive chlorine concentration can be dangerous to health (eyes, lungs and skin) if not checked before swimming. In addition, chloramines – the result of chlorine reacting with urea – build up and can irritate the skin. It is recommended to replace at least a third of the water every year to avoid problems.
Conclusion: every pool is different
Until some local council decides to subsidise penny-pinching, the best approach is to calculate the cost of water and electricity and decide sensibly. For those with access to cheap water, draining and refilling in summer may be viable; for those looking to minimise costs, controlled chlorination is an option, always with caution. The debate remains open: there is no single solution, but the price of water and electricity makes the difference.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (10 replies).
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