A few factors influence the time it takes for a pool to heat up, including the size of your pool, the temperature outside, and how much direct sunlight is hitting the water in the pool. With these factors in mind, it takes 12 to 72 hours to raise the temperature in a pool by 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

While you can run a pool heater all day, it is advised only to run it during the day, as it is more energy efficient. At night, it is better to purchase a solar pool cover to retain the heat within the pool.

You don’t need to dilute the baking soda before adding it to your pool. While you can if you want, adding too much water into your pool can throw off your math and chemicals. Your pool’s circulation system will do most of the dissolving work for you, so it’s OK to skip the dilution.

While you shouldn’t notice water that has an appropriate amount of chlorine in it (less than 4 parts per million), you could feel sick from drinking overly chlorinated water. Chlorine exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, coughing, and dizziness. Chronic chlorine exposure (meaning multiple or repeated instances) can make you feel like you have the flu, according to the CDC.

Yes, you will need building permits for an inground pool, and your pool installation company should pull them for you. The permit filing fee will usually sit between $400 and $1,800, and it should appear on your contract or invoice. You may want to confirm with your contractor that they will pull all necessary permits. You might also need a permit for a new fence, as many municipalities have special fencing requirements for properties with pools. A fence permit costs between $50 and $500. This expense may not be included in your pool installation estimate.