Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Interlochen, MI

For maximum effectiveness, you should keep your solar pool cover on whenever your pool isn’t in use. Covering the pool during the day allows the solar cover to use the sun’s rays to heat your pool, prevent evaporation and heat loss, and protect your pool from debris.

Yes, you can put too much shock in a pool, and it is crucial to follow the directions on the product you are using. Adding excess shock can upset the chemical balance, make the water cloudy, have adverse effects on swimmers, damage pool equipment or surfaces, and even encourage certain types of algae to grow. If you have over-shocked your pool, perform a water test and adjust the chemicals as necessary. The pool's chemical balance will eventually return to normal as the excess chlorine dissipates over time.

You should always run your pool pump in freezing weather to keep the water moving. Doing so prevents the pool water from freezing and protects your pool from the damage that often comes along with frozen water. You should also run your pool pump when temperatures are approaching freezing, as a precaution. There’s no need to run a pool heater during the winter, as keeping water moving is generally enough to keep it from freezing.

Yes, pool pumps use a significant amount of electricity, making them one of the biggest energy consumers in a home. A pool pump can use up to three times as much electricity as a refrigerator. Typically, a residential pool pump consumes about 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) for every hour it runs. Because pumps often need to run for about eight hours a day to properly filter the water, this can add up to an annual consumption of 3,000 to 5,000 kWh, which can cost between $480 and $800 per year based on average electricity rates.

The amount of electricity your pump uses depends on its size, energy efficiency, and daily run time. To lower your energy consumption, you can choose an energy-efficient or variable-speed pump, ensure it is correctly sized for your pool, and run it only for the minimum time required to keep the water clean.