The
variety of pool supply items can sometimes seem overwhelming. After
all, the list includes skimmers, pool covers, thermometers, ionizers,
pumps, chemicals, heaters, and more. Here are some specific supplies
that you may or may not want or need, and reasons why.
• Pool heater – in the world of pool supplies, a pool
heater can be the most costly. No, it is not necessarily the price
of the heater itself that is so costly, but the cost of running one.
It can be a huge energy guzzler. For this reason, it is a good idea
to invest in a solar heating – solar pool heating is the most
cost effective use of solar power, and it costs nothing to run. Also,
a good solar pool cover or blanket, especially in temperate climates,
can be used instead of a pool heater.
• Pool cover – while a cover is technically optional,
it is definitely a good idea to have one, for a few important reasons.
One, it can warm a pool as well as keep heat locked in. Two, it keeps
debris out. Depending on the geographic location of the pool, if it
has a good pool cover (or solar blanket), it may not need as many
other pool supply items. A heater may not be necessary. And the pool
will be kept cleaner with less debris entering into, meaning that
less cleaning would be necessary. Also, less water would need to be
added due to evaporative loss.
Other pool supply products, such as chemicals and even ladders, are
not products that can be “skipped” in the same way that
heaters or covers can be. This is because they are products that make
a pool cleaner and safer.