Pool costs (Phoenix: heat pump, buying, maintenance)

[Italy04]

Oooooh coming from North Dakota you are going to LOVE having a pool. We moved here from Montana 18 months ago and are still in heaven. I do not know how much it costs to operate a pool but as others mentioned we don't care �� we purchase the chemicals ourselves and maintain the pool ourselves as well. It is not hard. We also got a solar cover which I highly recommend especially if you do not have a heated pool. We are able to swim 8-9 months of the year with it.

[lewdog_5]

Originally Posted by Italy04

Oooooh coming from North Dakota you are going to LOVE having a pool. We moved here from Montana 18 months ago and are still in heaven. I do not know how much it costs to operate a pool but as others mentioned we don't care �� we purchase the chemicals ourselves and maintain the pool ourselves as well. It is not hard. We also got a solar cover which I highly recommend especially if you do not have a heated pool. We are able to swim 8-9 months of the year with it.

4 years removed from Montana here as well and I wouldn't change a thing. We still use our pool daily during the summer and makes me feel like I'm staying at a resort.

[dessertlover]

Originally Posted by lewdog_5

No idea how much energy my pool uses but I also have a 12 year old pump, so I know it's more than most. I am told a variable speed pump will save me hundreds of dollars a year in energy compared to the energy sucker I am using now. So when it comes time to get a new pump, it will pay for itself within 3-5 years.

I do my own chemicals and that averages about $20 per month. It's cheaper and I know exactly what chemicals are going into my pool. I also clean my own filters and perform basic maintenance which saves the $70-80 trip charge that pool guys will charge just to come to your house if you have a problem.

All of this is well worth having a pool for me. I am in it most days from May-October. Last year was mostly all of April too as it was hotter last year.

Lewdog, is your pool heated.

[dessertlover]

I too would be interested in purchasing a home with a pool. Some one just told me that his boss' pool costs are $500 a month. How could it be so expensive? A large pool?

[Bates419]

I would have no trouble believing that if they heat it out of summer. There are chemicals, water, equipment upkeep, and power to run pump. If you pay someone else to do maintenance that's not far from $100 per month and you can count on replacing or repairing some equipment each year. It all adds up.

Originally Posted by dessertlover

I too would be interested in purchasing a home with a pool. Some one just told me that his boss' pool costs are $500 a month. How could it be so expensive? A large pool?

[dessertlover]

Originally Posted by Bates419

I would have no trouble believing that if they heat it out of summer. There are chemicals, water, equipment upkeep, and power to run pump. If you pay someone else to do maintenance that's not far from $100 per month and you can count on replacing or repairing some equipment each year. It all adds up.

Okay, so they must be heating the pool, and not running the pump during peak hours. The pool must be large too. I just read through all of the posts, and from what I read, it shouldn't be much money if you do the upkeep yourself, don't heat it, and run the pump during off-peak hours.

The benefit is that your house will have a higher resale value.

[kell490]

My suggestion is buy a home with a pool that is no older then 5-7 years old or has been remodeled in that time period. Unless you count into the price pool remodel. I bought a home with a pool that had pipes that leaked under the pool. Cost me about 20k to remodel it. Also Salt water chlorination parts has consumable parts like the anode last about 3 years.

[kghorbani]

Sorry to bring in my own question in this thread but didn't want a start something new when it's pretty much the same thing

The house my parents are looking to buy has this small spa/pool. Apparently it's heated. What are your thoughts on how much upkeep it would need and stuff. I figure it wouldn't be too much in terms of power and stuff since it's probably a very small pump and stuff correct?

Appreciate it.

[kell490]

I would guess around $10-20 a month electricity, water, chemicals. Do they want to use the pool? I know many who just never use their pool. Older people in their 70's usually tell me their kids used the pool back when they were at home. IT's a tiny pool so cost should be minimal.

[kghorbani]

Originally Posted by kell490

I would guess around $10-20 a month electricity, water, chemicals. Do they want to use the pool? I know many who just never use their pool. Older people in their 70's usually tell me their kids used the pool back when they were at home. IT's a tiny pool so cost should be minimal.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I highly doubt my parents will actually use it. If anything when we come to visit we might sit in it or let our daughter play in it if anything.

I figure they would have to try and keep it up so it doesn't get really bad. In terms of water etc.