A.
Heaters- There
are 3 popular choices of pool heaters.
1. Natural gas or propane heaters which
will cost between $900 and $2000 plus
installation. Gas heaters are the most expensive option in the long run due
to operational costs and the cost of fuel.
2.
Electric Heat pumps are becoming more popular because the cost of
operation is so low. Though the electric
heat pump costs more than a gas heater -
$2000 to $3500 plus installation - when
compared to a gas heater, the heat pump will pay for itself in 3-5 years since
the cost of electricity is so low.
3.
Solar heating systems are available as low as $200 for small DIY
kits however these kits will only produce heat in ideal conditions. In order for solar heaters to provide any
heat to the pool, the heating system must receive sunlight for most, if not all
of the day. Most pools will require more
panels or collectors than the manufacturers’ state to notice significant heat
gain. The cost will be $400 to $2,000.
B. Liner
upgrade – Your midrange
and less expensive pools are typically packaged with overlap liners. Overlap
liners are the lowest quality liners available and are included to meet a low
price point. It is highly recommended that you upgrade to a “hung” or “beaded”
liner. Beaded liners are typically a higher and thicker grade vinyl and are an
excellent option to ensure that your investment lasts a long time. You can
expect the upgraded cost from an overlap to beaded liner to be anywhere from $100 to $350 depending on the size of
the pool.
C. Filtration –
Reputable pool companies will include a filter system that is designed to keep
your water clean with an approximate 12 hour per day run time. Be sure your pool
has an adequade filtration system. When you are purchasing your pool, if upgraded
filter media is available, it is a good investment. Lastly, be sure to buy product with locally
available parts.
D. Lights
- Current
technology has brought the price of pool lights down substantially and now with
the advancements of LED technology, it is possible to get color changing
lights. Many brands of quality lights are available for aboveground pools for
the $250 to $700 price range.
E. Fountains
–
There are plenty of fountains that thread into the return, and deck fountains
available today at reasonable prices. Keep in mind that any pool with fountains
will experience additional water loss and evaporation - so if water is
difficult for you to get, you may not want this option. Return fountains are
available for around $25 and deck
jets cost $175 to $350 a piece.
F. Chlorine
generators – Also known as “saltwater pools” – pools with
chlorine generators are very convenient and improve your water quality, feel,
and clarity a great deal. Due to the technical nature of the product, many pool
companies don’t offer this product. There has been a great deal of discussion
about salt corroding metal and damaging concrete surfaces. We have been
installing chlorine generators for 15 years and have seen very little downside.
The problems seem to have some relation to the type of salt you use. The higher
quality pool salts include other chemicals that buffer the water and the
corrosive tendencies of salt, while the “plain” salt does not. I recommend you
consult your pool professional before making a decision. A good chlorine
generator starts at $300 up to $1000. For more information on salt water pools,
please refer to our blog post “Do saltwater pools work?” from May 2016.
Some of these options can be
added to your pool after it has been installed to help with your budgeting. Keep
in mind that the lowest price is not always the best choice when making a long
term investment like this. Your local pool professional is your best source for
knowledge and though you may pay more than you would on the internet it will
likely be a good investment.
Robert Sullivan is the author
of this information. He began installing aboveground pools in upstate NY in the
late 1970’s and now owns the largest pool company in his market. He has been
directly involved in pricing, marketing, selling and building several thousand
aboveground pools.
