Is a pool a necessity in Phoenix? (electric bill, electric)

[altus2006]

If you are interested in having a house with a pool, buy a house that already has one. It is much cheaper than adding one later and paying for it yourself.

I bought a house with a pool and love it. In the heat here, it is a very good way to get exercise outside in the summer. Beats walking in the heat and dropping dead.

The pool guy we have is also great and I like him because he is knowledgeable enough about pools to do repairs if needed.

altus2006

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by kdog

Couldn't agree more. Outdoor living is a huge part of our enjoyment of the great state of Arizona.

Not sure about the others, but we have an integrated spa as well. The spa is probably the most important part of our pool. We use it several times a week year/round, winter included. Sitting outside in the spa at night, nekkid (but don't tell anyone), with a glass of wine, gazing up at the stars, and discussing our day is the best time of day. It's better than a marriage councilor. You can't put a price on it..

We NEED a hot tub.

It WILL happen.....

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by altus2006

If you are interested in having a house with a pool, buy a house that already has one. It is much cheaper than adding one later and paying for it yourself.

I bought a house with a pool and love it. In the heat here, it is a very good way to get exercise outside in the summer. Beats walking in the heat and dropping dead.

The pool guy we have is also great and I like him because he is knowledgeable enough about pools to do repairs if needed.

altus2006

Doing laps at the end of the day is a great way to work off stress.

[GoN2AZ]

Originally Posted by kdog

Sitting outside in the spa at night, nekkid (but don't tell anyone), with a glass of wine, gazing up at the stars, and discussing our day is the best time of day. It's better than a marriage councilor. You can't put a price on it..

Alright then, totally getting a pool!!

[GoN2AZ]

So basically -

A pool is not a necessity unless you have kids, like to entertain or enjoy wearing a bathing suit . And definitely buy a home that already has a pool and all the proper landscaping to go with it! I'm guessing that with all the foreclosures, etc out there that this actually couldn't be too hard to find. It's interesting to see everyone's opinions on a pool, but I'm sure some hate to put on a suit and hate to swim while others love being outside lounging around and then there's those with the young kids. I'm also glad to know it's not a status symbol as around here only the "cool" people had a pool.

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by kdog

You're missing the point. It's more stable than adding chlorine manually.
My CYA is 65 (Taylor R-0013).

I would also suggest visiting some of the pool forums where water chemistry is always a major topic of debate. Most people with SWGs run in the 1 to 2 range, and even lower. I've run my pool for the past three years in that range and never had the slightest problem with algae or anything else.

The links you posted do not specify salt water/non salt water and what the free chlorine level should be based off of the CYA level you have. 1ppm is fine with no CYA in the water.

How often do you shock your pool?

Ok, visited one of those pool forums that you mentioned and came across this which doesn't support you...

Recommended Levels • Pool School • Trouble Free Pool

Chlorine / CYA Chart • Pool School • Trouble Free Pool

[LinaJo76]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

Definitely no. My parents installed a pool in only one house they owned. It was barely ever used, and was a complete waste of money.

If you and your family aren't into swimming, then there's no reason to get a pool in the first place.

But me, I love the water, and I would definitely get one or live somewhere in Phoenix that already has one. I'm very much a water person and I hate driving more than 1 hour or more just to go to some far off lake to go swimming and sunning. Got to have a pool in Phoenix.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

The links you posted do not specify salt water/non salt water and what the free chlorine level should be based off of the CYA level you have. 1ppm is fine with no CYA in the water.

How often do you shock your pool?

Ok, visited one of those pool forums that you mentioned and came across this which doesn't support you...

Recommended Levels • Pool School • Trouble Free Pool

Chlorine / CYA Chart • Pool School • Trouble Free Pool

Ok, you found a single site that supports your argument. I used the first three links that came up on google, so I would call your data a flier as it bucks the conventional wisdom. BTW, my Taylor test kit also recommends 1-3.

The first link I provided does specify CYA levels, so you're wrong there. Your contention that 1ppm will only work with zero CYA is false. I've run between .5 and 2 PPM for three years with normal CYA levels, as have many others. Nobody ever recommends running without any stabilizer. The notion is absurd because your chlorine would evaporate almost instantly.

I've never shocked my pool. In fact, I don't think it's necessary with a SWG. I have almost no combined chlorine. Why do you ask?

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by kdog

Ok, you found a single site that supports your argument. I used the first three links that came up on google, so I would call your data a flier as it bucks the conventional wisdom. BTW, my Taylor test kit also recommends 1-3.

The first link I provided does specify CYA levels, so you're wrong there. Your contention that 1ppm will only work with zero CYA is false. I've run between .5 and 2 PPM for three years with normal CYA levels, as have many others. Nobody ever recommends running without any stabilizer. The notion is absurd because your chlorine would evaporate almost instantly.

I've never shocked my pool. In fact, I don't think it's necessary with a SWG. I have almost no combined chlorine. Why do you ask?

I agree that routine shocking is not required (SWG or normal chlorine sanatized pools), however, shocking can be required under certain circumstances. I also have never shocked my pool.

Anyway, I think we're arguing just to be arguing as I think we both share similar views.

I would recommend that website I posted from...great information.

[thegirlinaz]

We did not want a pool because honestly I just don't want to spend the time and money to upkeep it.