SWCG (Salt Water Chlorine Generators) - Pro & Con

[PoolDoc]

______________________________________

SWCG (Salt Water Chlorine Generators) - Pro & Con

Even though 30+ years in the pool business has taught me to be skeptical to anything the pool industry calls "new and improved", for a number of years, I was hopeful that SWCGs would prove to be an exception to the dismal pattern.

It's 2018 . . . and they weren't.

So here's my Pro & Con list. Read it, and if you are still interested, check out my post on How to Buy and Operate a Salt Water Chlorine system Successfully.

______________________________________

Con:

+ 'Salt water' is really salt water CHLORINE generation. Even though SWCG (salt water chlorine generator) manufacturers no longer -- after several law suits -- claim in writing that SWCG's are "chlorine-free" or "natural" many consumers continue to believe just that.

+ Salt water is damaging to most pools, and extremely destructive to above-ground pools. By the time the damage is discovered, the expense is often extreme.

+ Cells typically last 2 - 4 years. Replacement costs 60% or more of original cost. Contrary to expectations, SWCG are much MORE expensive than BBB method treatment of pools. (See below for exceptional results reported by JimK)

+ Pool owners rarely understand that their SWCG only provide baseline chlorination, and that any ADDITIONAL demand must be provided with bleach or other chlorine sources.

+ Pool owners have unrealistic expectations of what is required, even after a SWCG is in place.They fail to provide necessary water treatment, leading to a variety of unexpected problems.

+ SWCG operation requires long run pump times (8+ hours) for proper operation.

+ SWCGs are deceptively convenient, and many pool owners forget to manage the OTHER bits of pool chemistry (pH, stabilizer on all pools; alkalinity and calcium on concrete pools, or pools with heaters)

+ Deceptive marketing combines with wishful thinking, leading to buyers who still think "salt water pools" are natural or chlorine-free. Even after legal action years ago, the deceit continues, though in more subtle forms. The truth is, SWCGs are neither 'natural' nor 'chlorine-free' . . . and they never were.

______________________________________

Pro:

+ Salt makes the pool water feel 'softer' & 'nicer'. Not everybody likes it; some people prefer water that feels 'crisper' and more 'refreshing', but most people seem to prefer the salt 'feel'. You don't have to have an SWCG to add salt . . . but if you add salt you STILL have to check out your pool's compatibility, even if you don't have a SWCG.

+ SWCG's -- when working -- provide the most stable source of continuous chlorination available to homeowners. For folks who are homebodies, the need to toss a few cups of chlorine in daily is not a big issue. But vacations can be a headache, when they return to a green pool. But for those who travel frequently SWCG units can be a lifesaver.

+ Put simply, SWCGs can be more convenient than other methods of chlorination.


But that's it, folks . . . .

That's the only real advantage SWCGs offer.

They aren't cheaper. They aren't 'natural'. They aren't chlorine-free.

. . . . Sorry!

______________________________________

Thanks to Steve_in_NC and JimK for their comments.

______________________________________