I finally got around to running the dollars & cents on my first full year of TFPC vs. the prior year under what I will call the “Pool Store” method. All numbers are for a 1-year period unless otherwise noted:
Net chemical and regular operating expense savings of TFPC compared to Pool Store method: $1,464/yr.
TFPC Intangibles:
Here’s more details on the chemical breakdown for TFPC vs. Pool Store Method:
Pool Store Method:
The biggest benefit of TFPC? Gaining a solid understanding of what parameters to measure in order to properly manage the pool along with knowing what chemicals/dosages are needed and their effect on the water. That knowledge led to both a cleaner & more balanced pool as well as the financial savings. Under TFPC, I add what is needed in the proper dosage based on chemistry according to test results as opposed to haphazardly dumping various chemicals into the pool based on marketing hype, urban legends, and arbitrary time tables.
- Chemical cost under TFPC: $436. Pool Store Method: $1,460. TFPC Savings: $1,024/yr.
- Pump run time cost under TFPC: $265. Pool Store Method: $662. TFPC Savings: $397/yr. Average electric rate was 10 cents/kWh for both periods.
- Partial Drain & Refill under TFPC: $0. Pool Store Method: $43. TFPC Savings: $43/yr. Under the Pool Store Method, I had to do 2 partial D&R’s of about 8,500 gallons each twice that year to reduce CYA from regular use of pucks & dichlor “Shock”.
Net chemical and regular operating expense savings of TFPC compared to Pool Store method: $1,464/yr.
TFPC Intangibles:
- Only had to replace one hose on pool cleaner this year vs. several in the prior year. In fairness, I did not figure a cost on this since I do not know how old the hoses were in the first year we bought the house. However, I do see a trend of the hoses & fittings lasting longer under TFPC.
- Swim goggles and bathing suits lasting longer. I swim laps almost every day. In the year prior to TFPC, I went through two goggles per season. Under TFPC, I’m still using the same goggles and it has been about a year & a half and still counting. Similar results for the bathing suits. Pretty much refutes the argument of liquid bleach being “harsh” compared to other forms of chlorine.
- The calcium ring that was around the pool when we bought the house has disappeared and the one in the spa is fading fast.
- Received several comments that my pool is the cleanest they have ever seen.
- No eye irritation and no chlorine smell
- Spend less time on maintenance overall. Spending about 10-15 min more on testing per month under TFPC and much of that difference is accounted for on the one day per month that I run the full battery of tests in the TF100 kit. The investment in a little bit of extra testing time is returned several-fold by spending less time on overall maintenance items such as not having to shock or add unneeded chemicals, not replacing pool cleaner hoses/fittings as often, not having to do partial drain & refills, and avoiding the periodic algae blooms that plague other pool owners.
Here’s more details on the chemical breakdown for TFPC vs. Pool Store Method:
Pool Store Method:
- Chemicals: Trichlor pucks, Dichlor “shock”, Potassium Monopersulfate “shock”, CalHypo “shock”, Algaecide, Clarifier, Phosphate Remover, Muriatic Acid, Baking Soda, Yellow-Out
- Pump run time: 10-12 hours /day to get acceptably clear water.
- Shocked weekly using two to three 16 oz. packs per dose because “That’s what you’re supposed to do, right?”
- Used algaecide and phosphate remover at least once a week.
- Did not get an algae outbreak but had periodic bouts of hazy water.
- Partial drain & refill 2 times per year to lower CYA. Did not know at the time that there was an alternative and effective chlorine sanitizer that did not have stabilizer.
- Chemicals: Mainly Liquid Bleach & Muriatic Acid; occasionally Baking Soda & Stabilizer. The only time I use pucks and algaecide is when the pool will be unattended for more than a few days, which only happened once this year.
- Pump run time: 4-5 hours / day on average. Water is crystal clear. I can tell screws holding drain cover in place 10 feet below the surface are Phillips head. Pool looks “empty” on calm days.
- Have not needed to shock the pool since switching to TFPC.
- Always had crystal clear water.
The biggest benefit of TFPC? Gaining a solid understanding of what parameters to measure in order to properly manage the pool along with knowing what chemicals/dosages are needed and their effect on the water. That knowledge led to both a cleaner & more balanced pool as well as the financial savings. Under TFPC, I add what is needed in the proper dosage based on chemistry according to test results as opposed to haphazardly dumping various chemicals into the pool based on marketing hype, urban legends, and arbitrary time tables.
Last edited:
