Are you in the market for a fibreglass pool? or maybe you are thinking its time to purchase one? Here at Barrier Reef Pools Perth, we have been helping customers transform their backyards for the past 30 years and one of the most common questions we get asked is how much does it cost to run a fibreglass pool? There isn't a one answer fits all to this question as there are so many variables when it comes to running a swimming pool. Generally speaking, a swimming pool will cost around $200-$400 per quarter to run, but certain factors will determine these costs. Let's take a look at a few things that will determine the cost to run your swimming pool.
Heating
Heating will be your biggest expense when it comes to running your pool. Not everyone has heating but it is very popular even in the warmer areas like North Queensland. Heating your pool is an added luxury but it is no surprise why it is so popular, when heating your pool it means you get to use your swimming pool all year round, this is particularly popular for anyone who loves to do swimming for exercise regularly. There are 3 types of heating to choose from and they include
1. Solar Heating
2. Electric Heating
3. Gas Heating
Let’s take a look at each type of heating and how much they will cost you to run:
Solar Heating
Solar heating is the most popular form of heating your pool, the reason being it is the most cost-effective out of the 3. It uses the natural energy from the sun to heat the pool, so as well as it being cost-effective, it is also safe and not harmful to the environment. Solar heating works by using a very small amount of energy, normally around 1KW Per Hour costing around $0.18 and $0.26 per hour.. The sun heats the solar panels on your roof and then a solar pump pushes the water through a series of tubes which in turn heats your pool and a consistent temperature. Solar heating works best in areas that get a lot of sunlight as it relies purely on the sun for its energy.
Electric Heating
Electric seems to be a popular choice for heating in Australia. Electric heating works by reusing the energy in the air, the process is the same as a heat pump in your home, it draws air from the outside and circulates this air through an evaporative air coil, the water is then heated and transferred back into the pool, leaving your swimming pool at a warmer temperature. Electric Heating can still draw heat from the air even in cloudy weather but it is not cost-effective as solar power and they use quite a lot more electricity which in turn makes it more expensive to run and not as healthy for the environment. The great thing about electric heating is that it can be used throughout the entire year but you will find the temperature won’t be as warm compared to solar.
Gas Heating
Gas heating does not rely on the sun or the air for heating, having a gas heater means that you can pretty much run your pool at any temperature you wish. Gas is very popular for heating spas as it can reach the right temperature for hydrotherapy which helps people recover from muscle and joint injuries and also helps with pain relief. Another bonus with gas is that it will heat your pool very quickly, generally speaking, it will heat your pool to the desired temperature within 1 hour. The downside is that gas heating is very expensive, it will cost you a lot more compared to solar and electric heating, depending on the size of your pool or spa, a gas heater will cost between $4-$17 per hour. Unfortunately gas is harmful to the environment, this is due to the amount of energy it uses, this is why most of the time it is used as a back up for when the solar power is unable to heat your pool.
Pool Filter Pump
Having a pool filter pump is a necessity when it comes to owning a fibreglass pool and does require electricity to work. The job of the pool pump is to keep your pool clean, it will remove any dirt, leaves and dirt from your pool which is why your pool needs one to operate. An average size family swimming pool will generally use an 1100 watt pool pump which can add up to 17% to an electricity bill. Your pump should be run each day between 6-8 hours and the average cost is between $0.26 and $0.53 each hour A handy tip to remember is if you run your pool pump at night after 10 pm will save you money as this is around the time off-peak starts. This does vary in each area, to know exactly when the off-peak starts call your electricity company and they will be able to tell you.
Chlorinator
A chlorinator is a vital part of running your pool, it keeps your pool clean by killing off algae, and bacteria, and also maintains the quality of your pool water. The chlorinator isn’t an expensive cost to run as they normally only cost between $0.04 and $0.07 an hour. Having a chlorinator also means that you don’t need t handle any toxic and harsh chemicals as the chlorinator takes care of it for you.
Running a swimming pool can become costly as everything does add up, Barrier Reef Pools Perth are always looking at ways to help their customers with keeping costs down. Here are some handy tips to keep in mind to help with running your fibreglass pool:
Maintaining the correct chemical balance- it is so important to remember that it is a lot cheaper to prevent problems from happening than fixing them. If you keep your chemicals maintained correctly and keep them balanced you will minimise the risk of coming across issues such as cloudy water and green algae. Getting the chemicals right is the most important step with reducing costs so always test your water regularly. Here are the levels your chemical levels should be:
- pH 7.4-7.6
- Alkalinity 100-150 ppm
- Calcium 100-200 ppm
Look after your Pool Equipment- maintaining and cleaning your pool equipment means it will last longer which in turn means you don’t have to spend money replacing it. Don’t leave your equipment in the sun, always rinse them off before putting them away and always tore the brushes and heads with the cleaning end pointing upwards.
Clean pool regularly- we understand life is busy but it is important to stay on top of your pool cleaning. We recommend brushing your pool daily if not daily then every second day. as well as brushing your pool daily, also skim and net the pool at least once a day. Removing dirt and debris daily means there is less chance of the dirt messing with the pools chemical balance and not giving bacteria a chance to grow.
Conclusion
Being the owner of a fibreglass pool is a fantastic investment. You will make so many amazing memories with friend and families for so many years head. To ensure you prolong the life of your swimming pool it is important to stay on top of your cleaning schedule which will in turn reduce the costs in running your pool. Barrier Reef Pools Perth have extensive years of experience in the pool industry and are happy to answer any questions you might have when it comes to a fibreglass pool so contact us today.
Are you in the market for a fibreglass pool? or maybe you are thinking its time to purchase one? Here at Barrier Reef Pools Perth, we have been helping customers transform their backyards for the past 30 years and one of the most common questions we get asked is how much does it cost to run a fibreglass pool? There isn't a one answer fits all to this question as there are so many variables when it comes to running a swimming pool. Generally speaking, a swimming pool will cost around $200-$400 per quarter to run, but certain factors will determine these costs. Let's take a look at a few things that will determine the cost to run your swimming pool.
Heating
Heating will be your biggest expense when it comes to running your pool. Not everyone has heating but it is very popular even in the warmer areas like North Queensland. Heating your pool is an added luxury but it is no surprise why it is so popular, when heating your pool it means you get to use your swimming pool all year round, this is particularly popular for anyone who loves to do swimming for exercise regularly. There are 3 types of heating to choose from and they include
1. Solar Heating
2. Electric Heating
3. Gas Heating
Let’s take a look at each type of heating and how much they will cost you to run:
Solar Heating
Solar heating is the most popular form of heating your pool, the reason being it is the most cost-effective out of the 3. It uses the natural energy from the sun to heat the pool, so as well as it being cost-effective, it is also safe and not harmful to the environment. Solar heating works by using a very small amount of energy, normally around 1KW Per Hour costing around $0.18 and $0.26 per hour.. The sun heats the solar panels on your roof and then a solar pump pushes the water through a series of tubes which in turn heats your pool and a consistent temperature. Solar heating works best in areas that get a lot of sunlight as it relies purely on the sun for its energy.
Electric Heating
Electric seems to be a popular choice for heating in Australia. Electric heating works by reusing the energy in the air, the process is the same as a heat pump in your home, it draws air from the outside and circulates this air through an evaporative air coil, the water is then heated and transferred back into the pool, leaving your swimming pool at a warmer temperature. Electric Heating can still draw heat from the air even in cloudy weather but it is not cost-effective as solar power and they use quite a lot more electricity which in turn makes it more expensive to run and not as healthy for the environment. The great thing about electric heating is that it can be used throughout the entire year but you will find the temperature won’t be as warm compared to solar.
Gas Heating
Gas heating does not rely on the sun or the air for heating, having a gas heater means that you can pretty much run your pool at any temperature you wish. Gas is very popular for heating spas as it can reach the right temperature for hydrotherapy which helps people recover from muscle and joint injuries and also helps with pain relief. Another bonus with gas is that it will heat your pool very quickly, generally speaking, it will heat your pool to the desired temperature within 1 hour. The downside is that gas heating is very expensive, it will cost you a lot more compared to solar and electric heating, depending on the size of your pool or spa, a gas heater will cost between $4-$17 per hour. Unfortunately gas is harmful to the environment, this is due to the amount of energy it uses, this is why most of the time it is used as a back up for when the solar power is unable to heat your pool.
Pool Filter Pump
Having a pool filter pump is a necessity when it comes to owning a fibreglass pool and does require electricity to work. The job of the pool pump is to keep your pool clean, it will remove any dirt, leaves and dirt from your pool which is why your pool needs one to operate. An average size family swimming pool will generally use an 1100 watt pool pump which can add up to 17% to an electricity bill. Your pump should be run each day between 6-8 hours and the average cost is between $0.26 and $0.53 each hour A handy tip to remember is if you run your pool pump at night after 10 pm will save you money as this is around the time off-peak starts. This does vary in each area, to know exactly when the off-peak starts call your electricity company and they will be able to tell you.
Chlorinator
A chlorinator is a vital part of running your pool, it keeps your pool clean by killing off algae, and bacteria, and also maintains the quality of your pool water. The chlorinator isn’t an expensive cost to run as they normally only cost between $0.04 and $0.07 an hour. Having a chlorinator also means that you don’t need t handle any toxic and harsh chemicals as the chlorinator takes care of it for you.
Running a swimming pool can become costly as everything does add up, Barrier Reef Pools Perth are always looking at ways to help their customers with keeping costs down. Here are some handy tips to keep in mind to help with running your fibreglass pool:
Maintaining the correct chemical balance- it is so important to remember that it is a lot cheaper to prevent problems from happening than fixing them. If you keep your chemicals maintained correctly and keep them balanced you will minimise the risk of coming across issues such as cloudy water and green algae. Getting the chemicals right is the most important step with reducing costs so always test your water regularly. Here are the levels your chemical levels should be:
- pH 7.4-7.6
- Alkalinity 100-150 ppm
- Calcium 100-200 ppm
Look after your Pool Equipment- maintaining and cleaning your pool equipment means it will last longer which in turn means you don’t have to spend money replacing it. Don’t leave your equipment in the sun, always rinse them off before putting them away and always tore the brushes and heads with the cleaning end pointing upwards.
Clean pool regularly- we understand life is busy but it is important to stay on top of your pool cleaning. We recommend brushing your pool daily if not daily then every second day. as well as brushing your pool daily, also skim and net the pool at least once a day. Removing dirt and debris daily means there is less chance of the dirt messing with the pools chemical balance and not giving bacteria a chance to grow.
Conclusion
Being the owner of a fibreglass pool is a fantastic investment. You will make so many amazing memories with friend and families for so many years head. To ensure you prolong the life of your swimming pool it is important to stay on top of your cleaning schedule which will in turn reduce the costs in running your pool. Barrier Reef Pools Perth have extensive years of experience in the pool industry and are happy to answer any questions you might have when it comes to a fibreglass pool so contact us today.
