What Does It Cost to Operate an Intex, Bestway, or Summer Waves Pool?

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What Does It Cost to Operate an Intex-type Pool?

Incomplete!

Unfortunately, more than you'd think.

Why? There are a number of reasons:

• Cost of testkits is the same, regardless of pool size.
  (And even with Intex-type pools, becoming a victim of pool stores and pool chemical companies is EXPENSIVE!)
• Pool chemicals cost more in small sizes.
  (Dichlor costs $2.20/lb in a 50# bucket at Sams, but as much as $12.00/lb in sizes for kiddie pools!)
• Intex pools are often used MORE than inground pools . . . and people goo 'eats' chlorine on a per-person basis.
• Inground pools aren't usually drained annually; Intex pools usually are.
• And . . . so on.

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So . . . the costs:

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Testkits + refills for a summer

1st yr: $100 (HTH 6-way + K2006 + CYA refill)
2nd yr: $40 (OTO refill; Chlorine + pH + CYA refill for K2006)

Electricity
Using $0.18 per KWH.
KWH rates can vary from $0.08 to $0.40 or higher. California and New York are expensive. Hawaii is VERY expensive. Intex type pumps seem to use between 300 and 700 watts when running. I have assumed you'll buy a $25 timer and run 12 hours per day.

Cost: 0.4kw x 12 hours x 30 days x 0.18 $/kwh = $26/month


Water
Using $0.012 per gallon.
Water rates vary a LOT from place to place. Often water costs MORE if you use more, so pools are charged more per gallon than basic usage. Generally sewer charges are based on water use, so you pay sewerage even for pool water!

Calculation is based on initial fill + 20% splash out monthly

Cost:

10,000 gallons x 0.012 = $120 to fill
10,000 x 20% x 0.012 = $24/month

Chemicals
Chemical costs assume you can purchase from Walmart, Sams Club and Lowes. Costs can be 2x - 4x higher if you do not have access, or if you use 'branded' chemicals like Clorox, Arm & Hammer, HTH, etc.

Bleach
Dichlor
Muriatic acid
Borax

Filter cartridge
All Intex-type pools have marginal filters. You NEED a spare cartridge, if you don't have a sand filter. You'll consume 1 - 2 cartridges per season.