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Chlorine performs several functions, depending on where and how you use it. In drinking water, chlorine in small amounts kills potentially harmful bacteria. It's also a common ingredient in detergents for its whitening properties. Most people associate the chemical with pool use, where it works to kill and control bacteria, germs, and viruses in the water. 

The most expensive part of building a pool is typically the excavation and labor, which can account for 25% to 50% of the total project cost. This is particularly true for inground pools that require significant excavation, potentially including the rental of large equipment, and extensive construction labor. In contrast, above-ground pools are generally less expensive as they typically do not require excavation and can be installed much more quickly. Concrete in-ground pools are among the most labor-intensive options.

No, shock and chlorine are not the same thing, though they are related and both are used for pool maintenance. Regular chlorine, often in the form of tablets, is a sanitizer used for routine, day-to-day maintenance to keep a steady chlorine level. Pool shock, however, is a highly concentrated dose of chlorine used periodically for a more intense cleaning. It rapidly raises chlorine levels to fix issues like cloudy water or algae growth and also eliminates chloramines, which are byproducts of regular chlorination. Because their purposes and concentrations differ, they are not interchangeable, and proper pool care typically requires using both.

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.