The traditional method of disinfecting swimming pools is the use of chlorine in a tablet or liquid form. Although the traditional chlorine method of sanitizing is effective, there are also a variety of unfavorable effects when using chlorine. Salt water chlorinator generation systems have gained popularity as a safer, more eco-friendly way to sanitize swimming pools. A salt water chlorination system keeps the water clean by naturally converting salt into chlorine. If you are considering installing or modifying a swimming pool, consider the following benefits of salt water chlorination.
Salt water systems are significantly more cost effective than traditional chlorine treatments. The typical family spends about $50 a month on chlorine, over a five year period this could add up to about $3,000 whereas a salt water system will only typically cost about 1/5 of this, so in less than one year, the salt water system will pay for itself. Outside of the initial start-up cost, you only need to add salt to replace what becomes lost due to draining, splash-out, or backwashing, so the cost of salt is extremely low. Depending on the climate and pool usage, the cells can often last as long as seven years.
Salt water chlorination systems continually recycle the salt, which means there is no wastes due to by-products that get added into the environment. Salt is a safe, naturally occurring element, and high efficiency technology requires significantly less energy consumption than those compared to chlorine plants. There is also less damage to the environment, because reduced amount of chlorine handling means less accidental spillage. The use of saltwater chlorination reduces the amount of plastic containers in landfills and there is no risk of stored chemicals seeping into the ground.
Health and Safety
Salt water chlorination does not turn your hair green and, does not cause eyes to become dry, red and itchy. Salt water is also healthier for your skin, because the system operates similar to a water softener, your skin will be soft and healthier, not dry and flaky. There is no harsh chemical smells like there is when traditional chlorine is used. When you use salt water chlorination, you no longer have to buy, handle or store dangerous liquids, so the potential danger from handling chlorine, is eliminated. Algae are living organisms that get into swimming pools by way of rain, wind and contaminated swimsuits, but saltwater pools reduce algae because they have a reduction in the stabilizers required for algae to grow. A reduction in algae helps to increase the life of the pool.
Saltwater swimming pools use less chemicals and are low maintenance, yet provide the same, if not better, benefits as traditionally chlorinated water. Saltwater does not have the negative side effects as traditional chlorinated water does and it does not evaporate the same as chlorine, so there is less maintenance required with all natural salt water filtration systems. Other than routine maintenance to maintain the water chemical balance and remove debris by skimming, a salt-water pool is low maintenance.
Written by Thomas of Pool Guy Supply, where they make you the pool professional.