OT: Pool maintenance costs and Spas

[tangman99]

I once again reach out to the vast number on this board for some information from those who have experience with Pools and Spa. I know it's not fish related, but water is involved
I was curious if anyone has any idea how much my electric bill may increase when we add our pool. We are adding an in-ground 14 x 28 freeform that will be heated with a heatpump and use a chlorine generator and has a self cleaning system so no maintenance. It will have a solar cover. I'm in Florida, so it is pretty warm most of the time, but I plan on keeping it around 82-85 degrees. Everthing else is standard such as pumps.
Also looking to add a hot tub under the patio. We have been looking at a Vita Spa, but there are many brands. Anyone by chance a spa salesperson that can give me some direction in what brands to look at or stay away from?
Thanks everyone for any help.

 

[joerdie]

if your building something large enough to swim in. why not consider a large reef!!! that wouldnt cost much would it? (i am kidding) my dad has an in ground in ohio and he said it adds about 150.00 a month for elec.
sorry i cant add anything else

 

[broncofish]

I can tell you how much it added for my in-laws. $0.00
They installed solar panels to heat it, I think initial cost was around 7g but it heats the house water, and supplies power to an emergancy generator. Doubt that help you out any, but it may be something you want to look into.

 

[plum70rt]

I have a 16 x 45 45,000 gallon pool, 1 1/2 hp pump , icebreaker heat pump, chiller, a auto pilot salt system, I run it 8 to 10hrs a day less in winter, and auto vacuum system,I have a pool service
they come once a week clean and service everything 40 bucks a month,

 

[plum70rt]

I forgot to add in summer my electric bill is 400 a month, 3000 SF home, a/c cranked, and 3 tanks running 262 gallon 30 and 7gallon

 

[saltypatti]

pool. I run the fast pump for 3 hours and the slow for 3. It has a chlorine cup that the water runs through to automatically chlorinate. I do not have a heater or solar panels. I am expecting my bill to run about $50.00 more per month. I am thinking with a heater, you could end up paying $150.00 more a month, but I could be off.
I live in CA, so I do not need a heater. We have been swimming since memorial day. The water is like bath water and is only a little chilly at night if there is a wind.
Good luck to you.

 

[tangman99]

Originally posted by plum70rt
I forgot to add in summer my electric bill is 400 a month, 3000 SF home, a/c cranked, and 3 tanks running 262 gallon 30 and 7gallon
Plum70rt,
That is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks to everyone else also, but Plum70rt you are very close to what I am having installed. My pool is smaller as I have a golf course lot and the drainage easement limits my pool size, but it will be plenty big enough. I was going with the icebreaker, but I don't think I need that much of a heatpump as I don't plan on swimming when it is less than 40 degrees. Hot tub definitely, but not pool. The icebreaker was $4500 plus installation and I am going with the same brand, just not the abilility to heat when it is freezing outside and saving $1500.00.
I may actually get away a little cheaper. It sounds like out electric rates may be a little lower up in North Florida. I have a 3200 SF two story with 2 air handlers and tons of electic gadgets and my highest electric in the middle of summer is $175.00.
That is a beautiful pool. Thanks for sharing and the information. I see your polaris running around cleaning. The only thing I am doing different is I'm putting in the cleaner jets that automatically clean the pool so no maintenance. Our best friend has them and they are great.
If anyone has anything else to add, please do. I'm still looking for answers on the spa.
thanks.

 

[plum70rt]

YW , I have the cleaner jets too, also side and bottom returns,
the cleaner I have is a great white, brushes walls down,
the pool was here when I bought this house, I added the screen room, , changed decking, and added Dolphin fountain, 500 lbs
also I pay 7 cents a KW , whats the rate there? everything in my home is electric, gotta love those Dual 400 watt MH lamps

 

[tangman99]

We are 6.5 cents kw/hr here. A little cheaper. I am also all electric, but my house has an energy package that I think saves quite a bit. It was built in 2000 so it has energy saving appliances and built with energy saving features also. I can't wait to get the pool in. It will probably be finished around November, just in time for winter .

 

[newreefers]

Along the lines of plum... 2500sf home, keep temp at 72 degrees, same size pool as plum, 3 tanks, one with 3 MH lights. electric bill runs right around $260.00 a month. Just a foot note. before the big tank and pool my electric bill was around $130.00 a month.