Owning an indoor swimming pool will undoubtedly bring you and your family many hours of joy, no matter the weather outside.
Whether you plan to use your pool for hosting parties, swimming laps, or simply relaxing, the benefits of owning one are undeniable.
However, along with the joy and convenience of pool ownership comes the responsibility of keeping it clean, safe, and functioning efficiently.
Neglecting regular pool maintenance can lead to poor water conditions, costly repairs, and even potential health risks.
In this article, we’ll explain the key aspects of pool maintenance, from chemical treatments to equipment servicing.
We’ll also share our top tips for reducing the cost of heating and maintaining an indoor pool.
The importance of cleaning and maintaining your indoor pool
Whether you use your pool for exercise, fun, or relaxation, it isn’t easy to enjoy your pool if it’s not clean.
Keeping your indoor swimming pool well-maintained is not optional; it’s essential.
A swimming pool that’s not properly maintained is not only unpleasant to use but also poses a significant health risk.
For an indoor pool to be sanitary and safe to swim in, conditions must be kept just right. This means maintaining not just the pool’s cleanliness but also the water’s PH level.
Pool maintenance doesn’t take a long time; it’s relatively quick to perform but must be carried out regularly to keep your pool clean and sanitary.
Aside from the fact that no one wants to swim in a pool that’s full of dead skin, hairs, dirt, and other debris, indoor swimming pools can also be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Without proper cleaning and maintenance, your swimming pool could develop a build-up of harmful bacteria, which could then make anyone who uses it seriously unwell.
Proper pool maintenance is also important for keeping systems functioning smoothly and in optimal condition, extending their lifespan and reducing the likelihood of costly breakdowns and repairs.
What type of maintenance do indoor pools require?
The good news is that indoor pool maintenance tends to be more affordable than outdoor pool maintenance, as indoor pools don’t get as much dirt and debris blown into them.
However, whether you have an indoor or outdoor pool, all pools still need to be regularly serviced and maintained.
The level of maintenance your pool requires really depends on the size of the pool and how often it is used.
Most pools need maintenance on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis.
Let’s explore some of the different pool maintenance jobs that pool ownership requires.
-Equipment Servicing
Most indoor swimming pools are heated by either a boiler or a heat pump. Environmental control equipment may also be installed to maintain a comfortable environment and protect your building from damage. All equipment and machinery need to be serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions to keep them operating efficiently and to extend their lifespan.
-Chemical Treatments
Various chemicals are used to keep your indoor swimming pool sanitary. The exact chemicals used in your pool will depend on the type of pool you have and the water you are filling it with. Chemicals are used to keep your pool water’s pH level just right. The ideal pH level for an indoor swimming pool is anything between 7.0 and 7.6. If your water’s pH levels fluctuate above or below this level, then you may experience problems with metal corrosion and scaling, and chlorine may become ineffective. Many pool owners carry out a regular chemical treatment called a shock treatment to help break down dirt and debris in the pool and keep the water clear and balanced.
-Routine Maintenance
Certain tasks need to be carried out regularly to keep your pool clean and safe. You may choose to do these jobs yourself or use a professional pool maintenance service instead.
-Brush the pool floor and walls
Your pool’s walls and floor should be brushed regularly using a specialist pool brush with stiff bristles to remove algae and other residue.
-Vacuum the walls and bottom of the pool
A pool vacuum is a must have tool for all indoor pool owners. It’s used to suck up any dirt or debris that sinks to the bottom of the pool and clean the pool walls. Without regular vacuuming, your pool may experience a build-up of algae and bacteria.
-Skim the surface
While some dirt and debris sink to the bottom of the pool, some float on top. Another must-have tool for pool owners is the long-handled skimmer. While this tool is invaluable for outdoor pools where leaves and bugs constantly fall onto the pool’s surface, it is also very useful for cleaning indoor pools by helping to capture debris before it sinks to the bottom.
-Check and clean filters
Your pool filtration system helps remove dirt and debris from the pool’s water. The frequency that the filter needs cleaning depends on the type of filter your pool has. Sand and glass filters need cleaning at least fortnightly, while DE filters require less frequent cleaning. The more frequently your pool is used, the more regularly you should clean the filters.
-Test and monitor PH levels, water levels, and pool chemicals
Your pool’s pH levels should be tested every week to ensure the water is safe to swim in and will not damage your pool. You can carry out these tests easily yourself using a simple pH dip strip test.
How much does it cost to run an indoor pool?
So, are indoor pools expensive to maintain?
Indoor pools tend to cost more to run annually than outdoor pools because they are used year-round, whereas outdoor pools aren’t generally used during the colder months.
The cost of running and maintaining an indoor pool depends on several factors, including its size, how frequently it’s used, and how it’s heated.
While many indoor pools are heated using a heat exchanger that connects to the home’s existing heating system, it’s also possible to heat indoor swimming pools using more sustainable energy sources, including heat pumps and solar energy.
While these renewable energy sources can be expensive to install, if you have a large pool, the expense of installing a heat pump is likely to be quickly paid back in lower fuel costs.
If you’re planning to heat your pool using your home’s heating system, then for an average pool size, you probably need to budget around £10 per day for heating it.
If you hire a professional to clean and maintain your pool, then this will come at an additional cost.
Tips for keeping indoor pool running costs manageable
If you’re considering an indoor pool for your home and weighing up how much you need to budget to run and maintain one, you may be asking yourself ‘are indoor pools expensive to maintain?’
Well, we think you may be pleasantly surprised at how affordable it can be!
The trick to keeping your running costs down is being smart about how you heat the pool and installing energy-efficiency measures.
In this section, we’ll reveal some effective tips and tricks for reducing the cost of running and maintaining an indoor swimming pool.
Consider sustainable heat sources
Heating is one of the most significant ongoing expenses for an indoor pool.
Opting for renewable energy sources like heat pumps or solar panels can significantly reduce the price of heating your indoor pool.
While these systems may seem expensive to install, they usually pay for themselves quickly through energy savings.
Invest in a high-quality swimming pool cover
Swimming pool covers not only keep your pool’s water clean and free from dust and debris, but they’re also useful for reducing heat loss and water evaporation when your pool is not in use. A high-quality cover can help you cut heating costs by 50 to 70 per cent!
Keep up with regular maintenance jobs
Regular maintenance helps keep your pool running efficiently, prevents equipment breakdowns, and prolongs the life of your pool’s machinery.
The cleaner your pool is, the less work the filtration and heating systems have to do, helping to reduce your pool’s overall energy usage.
Insulate your pool
Properly insulating the pool itself, especially the walls and floor, helps retain heat and reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the water at a comfortable temperature.
Insulate your pool room
In addition to insulating your pool, it’s equally important to ensure that the room where your pool is located is well insulated to prevent heat from escaping and to reduce humidity. Insulate your pool room’s floor, ceiling, and walls, and choose high-quality glazed windows and doors to minimise the strain on your pool’s heating and ventilation systems.
Monitor your pool’s heating settings
Review your pool’s thermostat regularly to ensure it’s set at the optimal temperature. Each degree increase can raise energy costs by 10%to 30 per cent, so lowering the temperature by just a few degrees can lead to substantial energy savings without sacrificing comfort. You can also install set-back devices on certain heating units to automatically lower the air temperature when the pool is covered, further reducing energy consumption.
Install energy-efficient lighting
Did you know that LED lighting uses up to 75 per cent less energy than traditional bulbs? Replacing traditional lighting with energy-efficient LED lights will help to lower electricity costs. You can also consider installing motion sensors to ensure the lights are only on when needed.
Is an indoor swimming pool worth it?
When deciding whether an indoor swimming pool is a worthwhile investment, consider how it could enhance
your quality of life as well as the financial commitments involved in installing and maintaining one.
An indoor pool can undoubtedly add a touch of luxury to your home, increasing its value and making it more attractive to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell.
However, running and maintaining an indoor pool does carry responsibility, and you will need to weigh whether you can afford the ongoing costs of heating, cleaning, and maintaining the pool equipment.
Ultimately, if you can afford the costs of maintaining an indoor pool and your family loves swimming, then the benefits of owning an indoor pool will far outweigh the costs.
If you have children or are passionate about swimming, then an indoor pool offers unmatched convenience and can greatly enrich your lifestyle and enhance your well-being.
Choose Portrait Pools for indoor swimming pools in the North West and Wales
At Portrait Pools, we’ve been setting the gold standard for swimming pool design and construction for residential and commercial buildings for almost 35 years.
We’re proud to have won the esteemed title of National Pool Contractor of the Year multiple times.
If you’re seeking a more personalised answer to the question, ‘are indoor pools expensive to maintain?’, feel free to contact our team.
We’ll discuss your specific requirements and provide a more accurate estimate for the installation and maintenance costs of an indoor pool for your home.
Give us a call on 01625 466200 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll be in touch soon.
