I found I can keep my pool clean by running the pump only 1 to 2 hours per day on average. If I had a Salt system, I'm guessing I would have to run the pump much longer to generate enough chlorine. I figure it costs about $0.25 per hour to run the pump, so I'm happy to just run it a short time per day and can put up with the hassle of adding bleach every day.
I am finding this to be the case also. I have been sold on SCWG from the beginning but have not added it yet. So in the meantime, I have been manually adding chlorine and because I have no trees and very little debris getting in the pool, I found that I can run my pump on high for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening and it skims quite well. (I still have to brush and vacuum once a week to keep it pristine on the bottom and sides).
I figure if I had a SWG, I would be running the pump at least 8 hours a day or so (on low) in order for it to keep up with chlorine demand. My current electric rates are at 6 cents a KWH.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? BTW, I'm dosing with 8.25% bleach from Walmart which is $2.96 for 121 oz. (not quite a gallon). My pool has been using about a half a gallon every other day