If you are the type that hit the pool daily all year round, an indoor swimming pool is a must-have.
Indoor pools not only allow you to exercise whenever you need but are also an essential component of interior design. A well-thought-out pool brings in aesthetic properties hence giving your home a luxurious look.
The many benefits of indoor pools mean that you must be ready to pay extra pool costs and warranties. However, with proper planning, these costs should not be an impediment. In this article, we will look at the top 5 things you need to do to minimize costs and get the most out of your indoor pool.
Get the Right Warranty
A warranty protects you from the costs of fixing an unexpected problem with your indoor swimming pool. You may be surprised to find those small fixtures such as repairing a leaky pipe or faulty filter can cost thousands of dollars. Furthermore, swimming pool installation and its covering prevents dirt, meaning that it does not need regular filtration
However, with the right warranty, all costs are settled by the issuer. A wrong type of warranty, on the other hand, only covers for certain types of damages. This means that you may find yourself going back to the pocket to pay for some fixtures. Warranties usually cover the pool itself, the equipment that comes with it and the workmanship.
When choosing a warranty, always read the policy document thoroughly. Furthermore, never forget that you need coverage for the three types of warranties, including workmanship. Additionally, it is crucial to take a warranty that covers you for long.
Invest in Automatic Pool Covers
Open pools tend to lose heat and water through evaporation faster than the covered ones. Covering your pool reduces heat loss by up to 70%. Moreover, it prevents water loss through evaporation by up to 90%. This translates to savings in water and electricity costs.
There are also cost savings in pool chemicals and filtration. Pools tend to lose their chemistry through evaporation hence requiring regular treatment. With automatic covers, there is little evaporation and therefore cost savings in treatment.
Furthermore, covering your pool prevents dirt, meaning that it does not need regular filtration. Less filtration means more savings in terms of energy costs. A good automatic cover should cost between $2000 and $8,000.
Use an energy efficient pump
You can also save a great deal by selecting an energy-efficient pump for your indoor pool. Experts recommend investing in a smaller, higher efficiency pump and using it less often. According to a study by the Center for Energy Conservation at Florida University, pool owners can save as much as 75% of the original pump bill if they follow the strategy shown in the chart below.
Source: Energy.GOV
On average you should run your indoor pool pump for 3 to 6 hours per day. The best time to do so is in the morning and early evening. Running your pump less often will not only save energy bills but will also prolong the life of your pump. We recommend that you use an automatic timer to run the pump.
Install a Solar Pool Heater
A solar pool heater is another cost-saving option that you should explore. Studies show that a good solar pool heater saves electricity costs by up to 50%. You need between $3k and $5k to buy and install a solar pool heater. The average payback period is between one and a half and seven years, depending on the fuel costs in your area.
It is important to note that for indoor pools, you need a heat pump. A heat pump not only warms the pool but also de-humidifies the pool room. There are many varieties of solar powered pool heat pumps out there.
Clean filter baskets regularly
Clogged filters demand more energy as they put stress on the pumps and lower the efficiency of the motors. Clean the filter baskets regularly to minimize the stress and hence the energy used to run them.
Experts recommend that you should clean the filter baskets for your indoor swimming pool at least twice a month. This is a simple exercise that should not take much of your time.
Bottom line
Installing and maintaining an indoor pool is not that expensive when you know what to do. The above tips should help you reduce maintenance costs significantly. Read this guide to learn how to choose the best home warranty.