Is SWG worth it?

[tcat]

I have a 13,000g pool and typically spend about $250 per year on liquid chlorine. Probably closer to $350 this coming year. I was quoted $1450 to convert to Pentair ic30, and I might need an $800 cell every 5 years thereafter plus a bunch of salt each year. 40# bags of salt seem more of a pita than 1 gallon jugs of chlorine. I don't see a payback unless I'm missing something.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

ABSOLUTELY.... if for nothing else than to be able to go on vacation and know your pool is getting the chlorine love it needs.

Maddie

 

[Newdude]

I don't see a payback unless I'm missing something.

If you are low from the off season, you might need 4-6 bags to start the season. You may need a half bag mid season and thats it. @markayash had HD deliver his. With a bigger pool and more salt needed, i will probably be doing the same.

The IC30 will make 9.2 FC a day (24 hours)
10k hour expected lifespan is 416 days
Lifetime FC is 3833
Installed price is $1450
Each FC cost $0.378.
*next time much cheaper with only cell and no install fee*

10% jug at HD (Slaughter Lane.... i picked the most Texas-y sounding one)
7.7 FC in 13k gallons
$4 each
$.051 per FC.


So the math works in your favor. You will use the FC per day that you use regardless whether its from a jug or a SWG. The convienence of waltzing out back and pressing *1* button to make more cannot be overstated. Members kick themselves for waiting after getting used to it. Over and over and over and over.

Also, the IC30 is the less robust model and doesnt seem to last as well.

 

[ajw22]

You are missing the time, effort,and cost to lug the jugs of liquid chlorine home.

 

[jlamb5990]

To put your salt bag fears at ease, we just did the conversion (best decision ever) and from a new 10k gallon pool with 350ppm salt it only took about 5 bags from HD at $8 a pop. Took about 10 min to add them all and I haven’t had to touch a CL jug in a month since. Absolutely love it.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I only need to add one bag every year or two.

When water leaves the pool via evaporation, the salt remains. <-- just so you know.

Buy Big= Relax Big

 

[Mdragger88]

Check your current salt level. You may have more than u think already.
All forms of manually added chlorine add salt .
I generally only need to add a bag or two like @YippeeSkippy at opening every year unless I have a lot of rain & have to drain alot through the season then I may need another 1/2 bag or so. My pool is twice the size of yours.
Many using here TFPC practices & Recommended Levels
have their cells live beyond 5 yrs.
Its not just about reducing the jug lugging & the rising liquid chlorine costs - it’s also about peace of mind when liquid chlorine supplies become scarce. You have a chlorine machine in your very own backyard
Obviously the bigger the pool - the more savings u reap but I made these comparisons for myself to determine if it was worth it incase my current undersized system craps out - swg wins.
Last year

This year

 

[tcat]

Check your current salt level. You may have more than u think already.
All forms of manually added chlorine add salt .
I generally only need to add a bag or two like @YippeeSkippy at opening every year unless I have a lot of rain & have to drain alot through the season then I may need another 1/2 bag or so. My pool is twice the size of yours.
Many using here TFPC practices & Recommended Levels
have their cells live beyond 5 yrs.
Its not just about reducing the jug lugging & the rising liquid chlorine costs - it’s also about peace of mind when liquid chlorine supplies become scarce. You have a chlorine machine in your very own backyard
Obviously the bigger the pool - the more savings u reap but I made these comparisons for myself to determine if it was worth it incase my current undersized system craps out - swg wins.
Last year
View attachment 393128
This year
View attachment 393129

Why is SWG cheaper this year, I thought equipment/cell prices have gone up. I add about 1 gallon of acid per month. I've read SWG may require a gallon of more per week. Acid is like $7 per gallon, so that cost and handling is a consideration.

Found out today a Pinch a Penny is going in down the road soon. Can get the 2.5g jugs which will make filling my feed tank easier. Will only need 1 per week. I "think" I'd rather do that than a gallon of acid per week. With 12 gallons in my tank, I can easily go a month without adding anything, and without checking chemistry, so there is no real vacation advantage.

 

[mknauss]

If you are using liquid chlorine only now, your acid use will not appreciably increase with a swcg.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I don't use much acid.... maybe every two/three months? My pH just stays around 7.7-7.8, rarely more.
So don't assume too much, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Maddie

 

[Mdragger88]

Why is SWG cheaper this year, I thought equipment/cell prices have gone up.

In general this is true but Discount salt pool (circupool dealer) often has upgrade sales (upsize to the next bigger unit for $10 etc.) & the unit I have been looking at happens to be included in that sale this time- this is not always the case with that particular unit & wasn’t at the time i did the 1st analysis. Their sales often happen around major holidays & right at spring time. It has been interesting for me to document & see the actual price fluctuations over time as i ride out the remaining life of my current swg.

 

[pjt]

The convenience the time saved is absolutely worth it. You don't have to drive to the store or haul jugs. There's no risk the store's chlorine is old or out of stock. Your chlorine levels are much more consistent and easy to maintain. I add about two bags of salt a year and use a gallon of acid a month.

 

[jlamb5990]

I don't use much acid.... maybe every two/three months? My pH just stays around 7.7-7.8, rarely more.
So don't assume too much, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Maddie

I’ve been having to add about 2 cups of acid every few days here. Struggling to keep our Ph below 7.9-8.0. TA is 65. Hoping it’s because it a new plaster pool and it will level off after the first year.

 

[Bvacchiano]

I have a 13,000g pool and typically spend about $250 per year on liquid chlorine. Probably closer to $350 this coming year. I was quoted $1450 to convert to Pentair ic30, and I might need an $800 cell every 5 years thereafter plus a bunch of salt each year. 40# bags of salt seem more of a pita than 1 gallon jugs of chlorine. I don't see a payback unless I'm missing something.

It’s not about the money it’s about convenience. In the summer you will need to add Liquid Chlorine EVERY day. I personally want to swim in and enjoy my pool not make it my second job. Dial it in and enjoy

 

[Newdude]

It’s not about the money it’s about convenience

Exactly. Don't get me wrong, I do in fact like that with about three times the pool as Tcat, I'll have 3 times the savings. Mine will literally pay for itself 2-3 times. I love keeping my money as much as anyone.

But the convenience. Oh my lucky STARS the convenience!!!!! I would pay 3X the cost for the SWG and not even blink. If need be I would slash a budget from another activity to pay for it. I would find a way. Nobody has *ever* said that about jugs.

Maybe somebody loves the tinkering of LC. Maybe they are retired and have lots of time to play. Maybe somebody has a 5k gallon pool and the math isnt favorable. For the rest of us it is a no brainer across the board.

 

[tcat]

It’s not about the money it’s about convenience. In the summer you will need to add Liquid Chlorine EVERY day. I personally want to swim in and enjoy my pool not make it my second job. Dial it in and enjoy

My Stenner adds liquid chlorine every day, I add it to my Stenner every 2 or 3 weeks. I don't mess with the Stenner timing, I just dilute the chlorine during winter. But the SWG is starting to sound good, especially if I get it on sale and diy.

 

[HeyEng]

In short...yes. It's the best purchase I have made for the pool....bar none. During the height of COVID, it was very difficult to find LC in our area and the pucks were very, VERY expensive. I have even debated purchasing a spare SWG to alleviate any time without having one.

 

[Newdude]

Allow me to quote my Mrs. when attempting to discuss a large purchase with my CFO :

Me : I'm pretty sure the SWG died
Mrs: WHY haven't you bought a new one yet ??????????

She knew nothing about cost comparisons or what maintenence went into either method. The feel of the water alone on her skin (and hair ) made her a 'salt snob' and gave me an unlimited budget to replace the SWG.

 

[tcat]

In general this is true but Discount salt pool (circupool dealer) often has upgrade sales (upsize to the next bigger unit for $10 etc.) & the unit I have been looking at happens to be included in that sale this time- this is not always the case with that particular unit & wasn’t at the time i did the 1st analysis. Their sales often happen around major holidays & right at spring time. It has been interesting for me to document & see the actual price fluctuations over time as i ride out the remaining life of my current swg.

Just checked out Discount Salt, lots of good info! How good is the AutoPilot Nano+ rc-28? Seems good with low cost cell replacement. I use 2-2.5 gallons of LC per week during summer.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tcat,

Whatever system you buy needs to be rated for at least 2 x the volume of your pool.. So, a 20K pool needs a 40K cell. You can really go too big.

Thanks,

Jim R.