Is Pool Maintenance Expensive in Australia? About 18% of the Perth population owns a pool, which is the source of many happy swimming experiences. If you are a new pool owner in Western Australia or thinking of installing a pool, you likely ask yourself, “how much does pool maintenance cost?” The answer isn’t as simple as one would hope.
You will incur some form of pool maintenance cost every year you operate your pool. Australians spend hundreds of dollars year-round on their pool maintenance, from a monthly power bill to replacement pool parts.
Your cost can vary depending on several factors. Use the pool maintenance cost guide below to understand the expense of pool ownership.
Who Pays for Swimming Pool Maintenance?
In Australia, pool maintenance usually falls on the property owner, to an extent. For example, if you install a pool on your private property, you are responsible for your pool maintenance cost.
However, tenants of most properties are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the pool weekly unless the lease states otherwise. Tenant responsibilities can include skimming the water or vacuuming the pool floor.
At the start of a tenancy, the landlord or property management company must ensure that the pool is clean and provide the essential tools to maintain it. Costly repairs are the responsibility of the property owner or landlord, but tenants should report issues with the pool promptly.
How Much Does Pool Maintenance Cost?
Your pool size and type will play a significant role in the cost to maintain a pool. When answering the question, “how much does it cost to maintain swimming pools?” we’ll use an average pool size of 8m x 4m as an example. However, your costs will differ if your pool is bigger or smaller than the model.
Most Australians have a yearly maintenance cost of $1,000 to $1,400. Smaller pools usually require less maintenance than larger ones. Costs can be as low as $600 a month for ongoing maintenance.
Breakdown of Pool Maintenance Costs
Pool Pump Maintenance
Pool pumps are necessary to help sanitise pools by circulating chemicals through the water and pushing the water through pool filters. You will need electricity to operate a pump, which can cost roughly $110 on a monthly basis during the summer, not including other energy expenses. In the winter, the monthly cost can decrease to about $80.
A 1kW pump usually runs for ten hours every day. Yearly, its energy expense will be around $1,200. However, an energy-efficient variable speed pump could save you up to $500 on energy bills.
Pool Heating Maintenance
Swimming in a slightly heated pool is often more comfortable than splashing in frigid waters. You can use gas heating, solar heating, or electric heating on your pool, but they all have different expenses. On average, yearly pool heating costs can be:
- $500 to $1,500 for gas
- $250 to $750 for electric
- $100 to $200 for solar
Replacement Parts Cost
Over time, your pool’s parts and equipment can develop wear and tear or malfunction. Installing quality pool parts is part of maintaining these systems. Components include a replacement pump, LED lights, and heating systems.
The average cost of replacing these components includes:
- $320 for LED lights
- $500 to $1,000 for a replacement pump
- $3,000 to $6,000 for a heater replacement
Ideally, it’s best to install replacement parts as soon as you know you need them. Waiting too long can lead to more costly repairs.
Water Level Maintenance
Like other bodies of water, your pool’s contents will evaporate each day. How much water it loses depends on environmental factors, such as temperature, location, and humidity.
An uncovered pool can lose up to five millimeters each day on average. That amount translates to over 140 litres a month. The cost to replace the lost water is another expense to consider when owning a pool.
Pool Cleaning Cost
Your pool needs regular cleaning to keep the water clear and safe for swimming. Leaves, litter, twigs, and other organic and inorganic debris can blow into the water. Algae and bacteria will also grow in pool water with the right temperature and an improper balance of chemicals.
Hiring professional pool cleaners will range in price. For instance, companies can charge by the hour or by service. Depending on your pool’s size, pool cleaners may charge these prices for the following services:
- $50 to $130 for a regular pool cleaning
- $100 to $1,000 for a deep clean
- $250 to $350 for an empty pool cleaning and refill
Helpful Resource – How Much Does Pool Cleaning Cost in Perth?
Robotic Pool Cleaners
Many Australians who own swimming pools use a robotic pool cleaner instead of contracting a professional pool maintenance company. An automatic pool cleaner could reduce your need for chemicals and professional assistance. They can also save money by turning off and on according to a schedule to conserve energy.
Cleaning Products and Sanitising System Costs
Whether you practice DIY pool maintenance or prefer professional assistance, you should have the right pool cleaning products on your property. Chemical cleaners and other equipment like a skimming net, pool vacuum, chlorine, and pH kit will cost a few hundred dollars. Chemicals alone will start at around $100.
Depending on your water feature type, you could need additional products beyond the bare essentials. For instance, saltwater systems and chlorinators can range from $600 to $1,000. Freshwater sanitation systems, mineral generators, and chemical dosing units are other sanitation options that reduce your maintenance requirements but incur a high cost.
How to Save Money on Pool Maintenance Costs
You can take several steps to learn how to reduce pool maintenance costs. Some actions are relatively straightforward, while others are tips to consider before breaking ground on a new pool in Australia.
Lower Pool Water Temperature
Swimming in heated pools might be comfortable, especially on cooler days. However, warm water often equates to higher heating costs, especially if you or your family go for swims often.
You can minimise heating costs by reducing the water’s temperature a few degrees. It may take a bit of experimentation to find a comfortable water temperature that requires less heating, but it is possible.
Most Australian pool owners have these water features on their properties to keep cool on sweltering days. Swimming in warm water on hot days could be more uncomfortable than you prefer. Lowering the temperature will help you beat the heat, and it could stimulate your body more than a warm pool, which allows you to swim longer.
You should also consider reducing the pool’s heat if you don’t use it often. Using the heating system consistently regardless of your swimming habits can needlessly raise your pool heating costs. Reduce the temperature when the pool isn’t in use and increase it slightly before taking a dip.
Run Your Pool Pumps and Filters Smartly
Many pool owners in Western Australia assume they must run a pool pump and pool filter for 24 hours, seven days a week, to keep the pool clean. Though it may keep the pool cleaner, operating a pool pump too frequently results in costly electricity bills.
Only run your pool pump when necessary. You might have to experiment to determine how much filtering your pool needs to remain clean without consuming too much energy, but it is good to turn the pump off once in a while. If your area has off-peak electricity periods, consider running the pump at that time to reduce costs.
Another way to use your pool equipment smartly is to invest in a variable speed pump. According to some estimates, this pump type can save up to $1,000 during a pool’s lifetime. Though they have relatively high initial costs, variable speed pumps offer exceptional filtration and longer sanitation durations, making pool maintenance more manageable and less expensive long-term.
Alter Your Pool Cleaning Schedule
It’s possible to over-clean a swimming pool with an automatic cleaner. It’s best to use the equipment when necessary or a few hours a day. You can run it less if you have a pool cover.
Get a Pool Cover
A pool cover is an essential item if you want to reduce pool maintenance costs. A quality pool cover offers two primary benefits: limiting water evaporation and preventing debris from entering the pool.
The water inside your pool could evaporate at a higher rate than you may expect, especially in Western Australia’s hot local climate. A typical 8m x 4m swimming pool could lose about 140 litres a month. This water will need replacement, which contributes to your pool maintenance costs.
You’d have to pay for a pool cover, but it would be worth the cost. Covering your swimming pool when you’re not using it will reduce how much time and money you spend skimming debris off the water surface or topping off the water level. Depending on the type of pool cover you prefer, you could pay the following prices on average:
- Up to $700 for a solar cover with bubbles
- Up to $1700 for a thermal cover
- Up to $3,900 for a mesh cover for debris
- Up to $12,000 for slated or rigid covers
Despite the cost of high-end pool covers, rest assured that any protection is better than none. However, investing in a solar or thermal blanket can also help lower heating costs and block leaves, twigs, and litter.
Invest in Solar Heating
Electricity costs will rise if you warm your pool water through electric heating. Cost estimates for a solar heater are about $3,800. It might seem like a high cost, but it’s usually less than a new electric heater.
You can pay about $100 to $200 annually in solar heating expenses. That amount equals roughly $17 a month for a solar pool heater that runs throughout the year.
Consider a Saltwater Pool
If you’re thinking of embracing pool ownership, your choice of pool water type will affect your annual pool maintenance cost. Pool chemicals can be costly. You could spend up to $1200 a year for the chemicals required to maintain a chlorine pool.
A saltwater pool is an excellent low-cost alternative to the chlorinated variety. Saltwater pools don’t require much pool maintenance. Salt for swimming pools is less expensive than pool chemicals, and it contains a small amount of chlorine naturally.
Saltwater is also safer than highly chlorinated water. You and your family can swim safely without goggles for eye protection because the salt’s chlorine level isn’t high enough to irritate the eyes.
Install a Low Maintenance Swimming Pool
Your pool type will also influence its running costs. For instance, concrete pools can last for up to five decades with property maintenance. However, concrete has a rough texture and lots of crevices, so it’s harder to detect signs of damage and early signs of algae.
Concrete pool ownership usually requires additional cleaning times and chemicals to remove organic buildup on the pool’s walls and floor. You could use a vinyl swimming pool liner to give the pool a smoother surface. However, vinyl liners can attract algae and bacteria and require regular maintenance.
On the other hand, fibreglass pools are easier to maintain. Fibreglass is smooth without deep pits and grooves, making it less porous. There aren’t many places for algae and other organic matter to hide, so you won’t need to constantly scrub the walls to have a healthy pool.
If you have concerns about the cost of pool maintenance, be sure to select a low maintenance pool material.
Keep Your Swimming Pool in Excellent Condition With 1 Pool Care
So, is pool maintenance expensive in Australia? It can be. However, as the above cost guide explains, you can reduce your expenses without sacrificing your pool’s cleanliness.
If you need an experienced pool maintenance company to handle your pool’s needs, look no further than 1 Pool Care, the leading pool cleaner serving Perth, Western Australia. Our highly trained team understands what it takes to keep a pool clean. We can catch problems early to improve longevity and enhance your swimming experience.
With our pool service, you won’t have to deal with the manual labour associated with pool maintenance. We offer comprehensive maintenance services, equipment replacements, repairs, and more.
We are your go-to source for high-quality pool service at a reasonable cost. Reach out to us today at 0456 75 75 75 and schedule your appointment.