What Are the Pros and Cons of Salt Generators in Pools?
So you’re thinking about getting a pool. Fantastic news! Odds are, if you’re reading this article, you’ve been researching different types of sanitization methods in pools. There are several different ways to keep a pool clean and clear, but perhaps the most popular methods would be traditional chlorine and salt. You don’t have to be a pool expert to know that most pools use chlorine in the form of shock or tablets to sanitize the pool. The public is unfortunately not so educated about alternate methods, particularly salt. If you are looking into purchasing a swimming pool, it is your duty to thoroughly research the product and all aspects before making any decisions. You’d be forgiven for assuming salt alone can keep a pool clean and clear, but it is a little bit more complicated than that. Saltwater pools have become very popular in the last couple of decades, with more and more people opting for a “chlorine-free swim” (more on this later). In this article, we will break down pool salt generators, how they work, and the variables one should consider when debating between going with the traditional chlorination method or a salt generator.
How Do Salt Cells Work?
As stated above, there are many misconceptions that the public has come to believe about pool salt generators. Where do these misconceptions come from, who’s to say? Perhaps you have heard of salt generators on pools before. You may be wondering, “Well how does the salt alone substitute for chlorine? What is keeping the pool clean? Will I still have to shock the pool?” All valid questions. The answers to these questions will make more sense once you can grasp a very simple concept that the pool industry has been hammering into the heads of pool buyers for years: salt creates chlorine.
Shocker, right? Pun fully intended. Yes, the salt you pour into a pool transforms into chlorine once it enters the generator and passes through the salt cell. Salt isn’t chlorine but through a chemical process called electrolysis, salt becomes chlorine. What is electrolysis exactly? To put it simply, electrolysis is a process started by the salt cell that sends electricity through the water, when the electrical waves come into contact with the salt it grabs the chloride ion present in salt (NaCl) and transforms it into sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorite acid, the sanitizing agents of chlorine (Cl). When the water exits the cell, it is chlorinated water. The newly created chlorine then works to sanitize the pool just like regular chlorine!
The misconception stems from the belief that saltwater pools are chlorine-free, which would be nice, but salt alone is not equipped to keep a pool clean. Perhaps a better term for salt generators would be “chlorinating salt generators”, but that’s a mouthful. As long as you can grasp the fact that a saltwater pool has chlorine in it and that salt generators generate chlorine you’re ahead of most.
What makes Up A Salt Generator?
The salt generator is comprised of two main components: the cell and the control board. As you know, the cell is the component in which the chemical transformation of salt into chlorine (electrolysis) occurs. The control board is exactly as its name describes: what controls the salt generator. Most control boards have a display panel that tells you the percentage or output of chlorination going into the water. These ranges can be changed at your own discretion depending on if your pool needs more or less chlorine output.
Salt vs. Chlorine
You’ve probably heard of the term “shock a pool” before. “Shocking” is just a term the industry came up with to describe adding large amounts of chlorine to a pool at one time. When you shock a pool, you’re essentially just doing in one big hit what a salt generator does in spurts all day! In order to produce enough chlorine to keep the pool clear and algae-free, your salt generator should be run for at least 8-12 hours a day. If your pool pump is on a timer, it would be a good idea to set the SWG up on the same schedule. Chlorine levels in a saltwater pool should be kept at 1-3 ppm, the same as traditionally chlorinated pools. A SWG that is run on 100% will produce about a pound of chlorine in a pool in one day. That’s if the pool is run 24 hours a day. Not all pools in northwest Indiana are run 24 hours a day, most are run 8-12 hours a day, in which case you’d be getting about half a pound of chlorine production a day.
As pool professionals, we see it as our responsibility to give the public the right pool information. Our staff have talked to dozens of potential pool owners and new pool owners who actually thought that saltwater pools are sanitized by just salt and not chlorine. The problem with this widespread false belief is that it gives many people interested in buying a pool (say someone who has problems with chlorine on their skin and eyes) a false sense of hope that they have found the chlorine-free solution with a salt generator. Whether you’re switching from chlorine to salt, or looking to get your first pool, a saltwater pool is still a fantastic alternative to a traditionally chlorinated pool. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of salt generators.
Pros of Salt Generators
- Cheaper over the long term. Long-term spending on chemicals is cheaper with a salt generator as it creates its own chlorine. What you lose with the high up-front costs you will gain back over time by not having to spend so much on shock and chlorine tablets.
- Comfortability on eyes and skin. The combination of the salt and the lower chlorine levels creates a body of water that is much softer and silkier on your skin compared to the water in a traditionally chlorinated pool. Many swimmers complain of eye irritation or itchiness after swimming in a chlorine pool. With a saltwater pool, you don’t have to worry about that.
- Consistent chlorination. If you’re not someone who wants to pour chlorine into your pool every week, a salt generator would be perfect for you. This is perhaps the best feature of a salt generator, it is constantly sending chlorine into the pool. Small amounts, sure, but enough throughout the day that eliminates the need for further shocking.
Cons of Salt Generators
- Higher upfront costs. A salt generator purchase and installation can cost you anywhere between $1,000 – $4,000. Additional costs may be necessary with certain generators that require being connected to an automation system.
- Seasonal cleanings. One thing most pool professionals hate to hear is “maintenance-free”. Almost nothing is maintenance-free when it comes to pools, and salt generators are no exception. A salt generator and cell should be examined and cleaned once every three months, or once a season. We here in the Midwest can get away with cleaning them once a season, but if you’re in an area where you can keep your pool open all year around, you, unfortunately, will not have that luxury. After a couple months of use, there will be some level of salt buildup in the cell that will require cleaning.
- Corrosion and Calcium buildup. Saltwater pools are prone to calcium buildup and corrosion as well. Saltwater is highly conductive, and improper metallic bonding of equipment can allow electricity to travel through the water and corrode your equipment. Be sure that you hire the best professionals you can find to ensure that all equipment is bonded and plumbed properly. Remember electrolysis from earlier? Well, it turns out that chlorine is not the only chemical produced during electrolysis. While chlorine is the main product produced, electrolysis also produces byproducts including sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Calcium scale begins inside of the salt cell as another byproduct of electrolysis and can spread throughout the pool if it is not balanced and maintained.
How To Maintain Your Salt Generator?
Maintaining a saltwater pool is fairly easy and hassle-free as long as you stay proactive and on top of it. Here are some tips and ideas for keeping your saltwater pool clear and clean.
- Test chemicals weekly. Monitor chlorine and calcium levels closely.
- Clean cell once every three months.
- Monitor salinity levels and maintain them at the optimal level for your specific brand of salt generator.
- Maintain chemical balance to ensure that the chlorine created by the salt generator can do its job effectively.
Now that you are a salt generator pro, are you leaning towards that for your swimming pool? Check out our learning center to dive in deeper to all things backyard design! Below are some articles to get you started:
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