Are you thinking about switching to a saltwater pool? Among home pool owners, salt water pool systems have gained popularity over traditional methods of chlorinating swimming pools. These systems are growing in popularity as salt chlorine generation offers a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to conventional chlorination— but is it right for you?
Yet, with new low-chlorine pool sanitizers like advanced oxidation process (AOP), is salt chlorine generation still the best option? Before deciding, consider all the benefits, challenges and key factors that you should know to make the best choice for their pool.
Are Saltwater Pools Truly Chlorine-Free?
Saltwater pools are not chlorine-free, despite common misconceptions. Instead, salt water pool systems generate chlorine from sodium chloride (NaCL) and still accompany health risks from chlorine by-products. While you don’t need to manually add traditional chlorine products, saltwater pools still produce chlorine and carry health risks from chlorine by-products.
During heavy pool use, especially with large groups of swimmers or dogs, lower chlorine concentrations in salt pool systems may not meet the increased demand for sanitation. Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems offer the best sanitation with the lowest need for chlorine. This method of AOP pool sanitizer is particularly effective during heavy use without increasing chlorine demand.
Typical Chlorine Levels for Pool Sanitizers
From Lowest to Highest Chlorine in Percentages and Parts Per Million (ppm)
- Hydroxyl-Based AOP Pool Chlorine Level: 0.0001% (1 ppm)
- Salt Pool Chlorine Level: 1% (10,000 ppm)
- Liquid Chlorine Level: 12% (120,000 ppm)
How Salt Water Pool Systems Generate Chlorine
Despite being labeled as “saltwater pools,” these systems generate chlorine from salt to keep the water clean and safe. Saltwater pools work by converting salt into chlorine through a process known as “electrolysis.” Therefore, saltwater pools are not chlorine-free; they simply use a different method to produce chlorine on-site, reducing the need for adding concentrated chlorine products manually.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the salt chlorine generation process:
1. Salt Addition
Salt is manually added to the pool water to achieve a saline concentration of around 3,000 to 4,000 ppm, which is about one-tenth of seawater.
2. Electrolysis
The pool water, now containing dissolved salt, passes through the chlorine generator cell, which uses titanium plates coated with ruthenium or iridium. An electrical current passes through these plates, converting the dissolved salt (sodium chloride) into chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) and sodium hydroxide.
3. Chlorination
The chlorine generated in this process dissolves into the water, acting as a disinfectant to keep the pool clean and free of harmful microorganisms.
The Pros: Saltwater Pools vs Chlorine Pools
Despite the maintenance challenges, saltwater pools offer benefits that have made them a better option than traditional chlorine for many pool owners.
1. Less Chemical Handling
Saltwater pools generate chlorine automatically, so pool owners no longer need to buy, store or handle large amounts of chemical chlorine. This minimizes the risk of accidental spills and reduces exposure to harsh chemicals.
2. Softer-Feeling Water
Saltwater pools are known for having softer, more comfortable water. The water is often gentler on the skin, eyes, and hair compared to traditionally chlorinated pools, making it a popular choice for families.
3. Lower Maintenance Costs
Over time, saltwater pools can be more cost-effective than traditional chlorine pools over time. Although salt chlorine systems have a higher initial cost, home pool owners typically spend less on chlorine products over the years. With regular maintenance, the system can last for many years, lowering overall pool maintenance expenses.
4. Environmental Benefits
Since saltwater pools generate chlorine on-site, they reduce the environmental impact associated with producing, packaging, and transporting commercial chlorine. This makes saltwater pools an eco-friendly option for environmentally conscious home pool owners looking to minimize their carbon footprint.
The Cons: Saltwater Pools vs Chlorine Pools
While saltwater pools have advantages, they also come with some challenges that homeowners should consider.
1. Salt Corrodes Pool Surfaces & Equipment
One of the biggest concerns with saltwater pools is corrosion. The salt can accelerate rusting and wear of metal components like pool ladders, light fixtures, and pumps. To prevent this, homeowners should install sacrificial anodes and frequently check pool equipment for any signs of corrosion. Monitoring salt levels is also critical; higher salt concentrations can worsen corrosion problems.
2. Ongoing Pool Maintenance
Salt chlorine generators require regular maintenance to ensure they operate efficiently. The chlorine generator cell is prone to calcium buildup, which can reduce its ability to produce chlorine. Homeowners should clean the cell regularly to keep the pool’s chlorine levels stable, extend the system’s lifespan, and ensure clean, clear water.
3. More Swimmers = More Chlorine Needed
Saltwater pools may struggle to keep up with adequate chlorine demand during periods of heavy use, such as large gatherings or high swimmer activity. This can lead to insufficient sanitation, especially during large gatherings or pool parties.
Additional chlorine use can lead to harmful “combined chlorine” or chloramines that lead to unhealthy, cloudy and irritating pool water. Other symptoms include:
- Irritated red eyes
- Skin dryness, itchiness, redness, and pronounced eczema or dermatitis symptoms
- Lung health issues, like asthma, allergies, etc.
- “Chemical” or “pool” odor
- Damage to hair, towels and bathing suits
- Overall poor water quality
4. Limited Sustainability
While saltwater pools are more eco-friendly than traditional chlorine pools, they can have downsides. High salt concentrations corrode – not only pool equipment and surface – but nearby landscaping. Saltwater pools can also need frequent water top-offs or draining, increasing water usage. Additionally, generating chlorine consumes electricity, limiting their overall sustainability.
If you’re looking to have a sustainable pool, Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems are the best choice. Additionally, these systems work well with saltwater pools and reduce their environmental impact.
How AOP Improves Your Saltwater Pool Experience
While saltwater pool systems offer advantages like less chemical handling and softer water, they also come with challenges, like corrosion, maintenance complexity, and the need for backup sanitation during heavy use. These issues often lead pool owners to ask: Is there a better solution? Can salt pools be more healthy, easy and eco-friendly?
The answer lies in a cutting-edge technology called Hydroxyl-Based AOP. These systems offer the best low-chlorine pool sanitation that goes beyond the limitations of traditional chlorine and salt water pool systems. Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems use “hydroxyl radicals” – the most powerful oxidizers available in pool water treatment – to deliver superior water quality while drastically reducing the need for chlorine use and minimizing corrosion risks.
It’s important to note that Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems do not use ozone and UV pool technologies like other AOP methods. Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool technology is patented by Clear Comfort, making them a one-of-a-kind solution that’s legally protected from being copied.
Here’s how Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems fills in the gaps of a saltwater pool:
1. The Best Swimming Experience
Using Hydroxyl-Based AOP, your pool water will feel like freshwater, look crystal clear and smell odorless. It’s the best fit for those with skin sensitivities, eczema, asthma and allergies. If you’re looking for a luxurious swimming experience in water that’s always clear and ready to swim in, Hydroxyl-Based AOP is the clear choice.
2. Use the Lowest Chlorine Levels
As mentioned, Hydroxyl-Based AOP pools need the lowest possible chlorine levels possible. With stronger oxidation power than chlorine, salt and ozone, Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool treatment only needs chlorine levels down to 0.0001% (1 ppm). Unlike saltwater pools, Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems are particularly effective even during heavy use without increasing chlorine use to compensate.
3. Protect Your Pool Without Corrosion
Unlike salt chlorine pool systems, Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems do not cause corrosion. So how are Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems such a powerful sanitizer without causing corrosion like salt or traditional chlorine alone? Because hydroxyl radicals only last less than a microsecond to oxidize contaminants in pool water – never touching swimmers or pool surfaces. So, using Hydroxyl-Based AOP with salt on your pool prevents wear and tear on heaters, ladders, handrails, tiles and other pool surfaces.
4. Swim More, Maintain Less
The only system maintenance needed with a Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool system is an easy 5-minute cartridge exchange each year. Alternatively, a salt pool system without AOP requires a 30 to 60 minute salt cell replacement each year. Similar to traditional chlorine methods, salt water pool systems still require frequent manual handling, dosing and storage.
5. A Truly Sustainable Sanitizer
Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to salt chlorine generation. By reducing chemical consumption and lowering the overall environmental footprint, Clear Comfort AOP systems offer long-term cost savings while aligning with sustainable pool operation goals.
Choosing the Best Pool Treatment for Your Home
In conclusion, saltwater pools offer benefits like reduced chemical handling and softer-feeling water, but they are still a form of chlorine sanitation. If used alone at high saline concentrations, salt water pool systems can lead to increased chlorine use, unhealthy chlorine by-products, corrosion and environmental harm. However, it’s best practice to use an alternative pool sanitizer, like Hydroxyl-Based AOP, your salt water pool system. With salt and Hydroxyl-Based AOP working alongside each other, you get the best possible swimming experience with salt’s soft-feeling water. By integrating AOP, you can minimize corrosion risks, lower chlorine usage and enhance overall pool safety and sustainability.
With a refreshing swimming experience with the lowest chlorine levels possible, using a salt and AOP system is a healthy and eco-conscious win.
Want to learn more about Hydroxyl-Based AOP pool systems? Learn more here.
