______________________________________
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.
______________________________________
Bookmarks