Pros and Cons of Salt vs Chlorine

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a salt chlorinated pool and a regular chlorine pool? Which option is best for you? Let’s discuss the differences and the pros and cons.

Salt Chlorinated Pools

There is a common misconception that salt chlorinated pools do not contain chlorine. This is however not necessarily true. Salt chlorinated pools operate with the use of a salt chlorinator or chlorine generator. Salt is added to the pool and converted to chlorine gas through two electrodes. This process is called electrolysis.

Pros

• Salt chlorinated pools are more cost effective in terms of day to day running as salt is more affordable than chlorine and is needed less often.
• Salt chlorinated pools require fewer chemicals than chlorine pools. This is due to the constant production of chlorine which maintains the water’s sanitation, provided the system is running and there is a sufficient amount of salt in the water.
• Salt chlorinated pools only generate enough chlorine to keep the pool sanitised as opposed to chlorine pools which have a much higher chlorine concentration. This makes salt chlorinated pools gentler on the bather’s skin, eyes and swimwear.

Cons

• Salt Chlorinators are expensive to purchase and install.
• Salt chlorinators might contribute to the erosion of the pool surface.
• Salt chlorinators are an electrical item that need to be maintained and cleaned properly on a regular basis. If they break, they would need to be replaced by a professional. Watch this video to learn how to clean your salt chlorinator.

Chlorine Pools

Chlorine pools are maintained with the use of granular chlorine and chlorine floaters. Chlorine pools need to be tested on a regular basis due to the fluctuating chlorine levels. This affects the pH, Total Alkalinity, Free chlorine and Stabiliser levels. These levels need to be adjusted accordingly in order to keep the water balanced and safe to swim in.

Pros

• Chlorine pools do not require any additional electrical setup as opposed to that required for a salt chlorinator to run.
• Chlorine pools are easier to disinfect than salt chlorinated pools as chlorine is a powerful sanitiser used in a higher concentration compared to salt.
• Chlorine pools are easier to manage if something goes wrong as opposed to a salt chlorinator which would need to be replaced or repaired by a professional.

Cons

• Chlorine pools can be harsh on bathers’ skin, eyes and swimwear as the chlorine concentration is higher than salt chlorinated pools.
• Chlorine pools require regular maintenance in order to keep the water balanced and sanitised.
• Chlorine pools require additional chemicals in order to keep the water safe to swim in. These chemicals can be costly to purchase on a monthly basis.

The takeaway

Deciding whether to install a chlorine pool or a salt chlorinated pool depends on your budget and the effort that you are willing to put into maintaining the pool.

Contact a professional at The Pool Team for further advice on the best option for you.