10 Money-Saving Pool Maintenance Tips and Tricks

You’re definitely not alone when it comes to pool costs-induced stress. Let’s face it, owning a pool sounds like the dream... until the bills roll in. Maintaining your little slice of paradise can feel more stressful than refreshing, from chemical costs to energy spikes and surprise repairs. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to keep your pool clean, safe, and ready for a spontaneous cannonball. We’ve rounded up 10 practical, budget-friendly tips that’ll help you keep things sparkling while maintaining your sanity. Let’s break it down, one manageable move at a time.

Tip 1. Master Your Water Chemistry

Balance isn’t just for yoga. When your pool chemistry’s off, it triggers a chain reaction: more algae, more damage, and more money down the drain. Getting your numbers right is your first defense against costly headaches.

How-To: Each week, test your water’s pH (7.2–7.6), alkalinity (80–120 ppm), and chlorine (1–3 ppm) using easy-to-find strips. Buy your chemicals in bulk from Costco, Sam’s Club, or online deals can knock off 20–30% from retail to keep costs down.

Maintain the delicate chemical balance of your pool, and your water will stay stable. Need a cheat sheet to build this habit? We’ve got you: Pool Chemistry Cheat Sheet.

Tip 2. Run Your Pump Smarter, Not Harder

Your pool pump isn’t your enemy, but it can be a bit of a drama queen with your electric bill if left amok. The trick is knowing when to turn it on and when to give it a rest.

How-To: Run it 6–8 hours a day during summer (less if you’re not using the pool much), and time it during off-peak electricity hours. If you’re still using a single-speed pump, you might be throwing money out the window. Variable-speed pumps can cut your bill by as much as 70%.

Need help figuring out your ideal run time? It’s all here: How to Calculate Pump Run Time.

Tip 3. Invest in a Pool Cover

Turns out, the simplest way to slash water and heat loss is simply covering up your pool. A good pool cover isn’t just about keeping out leaves, it can cut evaporation and heating costs by 15–30%.

How-To: Grab a solar pool cover, which is affordable, durable, and surprisingly effective. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a pool cover can reduce water evaporation by up to 90%. And if you treat it well (dry it, fold it, store it properly), it’ll last you a few seasons.

Don’t let all that water (and heat) disappear into thin air. Learn how to care for your pool cover here.

Tip 4. Embrace DIY Cleaning

Cleaning your pool doesn’t have to feel like punishment, and it definitely doesn’t need to cost $100+ per visit. A little regular DIY pool clean-up keeps algae at bay and money in your wallet.

How-To: Skim daily (or every other day), brush walls, and vacuum weekly. Clean your filters once a month, as it keeps your system running efficiently. Here’s a fun bonus: throw in a tennis ball. It soaks up oily residues from sunscreen and body lotion.

DIY pool care is a surprisingly doable and oddly satisfying method of keeping pool maintenance costs down.

Tip 5. Try Natural Chemical Alternatives

 Baking soda and Borax are some household heroes that can keep minor pool water issues at bay. Pool stores will charge premium prices for the same results you can get in aisle seven of your grocery store.

How-To: Need to bump up your pool’s alkalinity or balance the pH? Regular baking soda can do the trick, and you’ll find it at any grocery store for half the price of pool-branded products. Dealing with a bit of algae? Try borax instead of pricey algaecides. It’s a gentle, effective fix for small algae blooms. Just remember: add these in small amounts, and always test your water after each adjustment to avoid overcorrecting and throwing things off balance.

Your pantry might just be your secret weapon against overpriced pool products.

Tip 6. Winterize to Save on Spring Costs

Skipping winter prep might not seem like a big deal, but that’s how you end up with cracked pipes, busted pumps, and a swamp instead of a swim spot. Draining and storing your pump and heater, using a winterizing chemical kit, and covering the pool properly can prevent major damage and unnecessary costs.

How-To:

In winters, drain and store pumps and heaters to avoid damage. Add a winterizing chemical kit ($20–$30) to keep water stable. Secure the cover tightly to keep out debris and algae.

Spend an afternoon in the fall, save hundreds in spring. We break it down here: How to Winterize a Pool.

Tip 7. Try Automatic Pool Maintenance Methods

Here’s a twist: spending more upfront can actually save you a lot over time. Robotic pool cleaners and automatic skimmers doesn’t mean you are lazy—you are actually smart to let them handle your pool maintenance at a fraction of the cost compared to professional cleaning.

Why It Works: Robotic cleaners scrub and filter with precision, cutting down on chemical use and human effort. Automatic skimmers handle leaves, bugs, and surface grime so you don’t have to. Time saved, energy conserved, sanity saved.

Once you switch to smart tech, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Tip 8: Stop Water Waste

 Water loss isn’t always evaporation—sometimes, it’s sneaky leaks or overzealous backwashing. Either way, you’re losing chemicals, time, and money.

How-To: Check your water bill for unexpected spikes. Do the “bucket test” to check for leaks: fill a bucket with pool water, set it on a step, and compare water levels after 24 hours. Backwash your filter only when needed, that is, when pressure rises 8–10 psi above normal.

Every drop counts. Our pool leak guide walks you through it.

Tip 9: Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Equipment

 It’s surprising how much energy old-school pool lights burn. Utilising LED tech can be a game-changer.

How-To: Replace old pool lights with LEDs—they use 75% less energy and last years longer. Living in an area where there’s lots of sunshine and clear, bright days? Look into solar heating to cut energy bills without sacrificing comfort.

But, safety first. Don’t miss our full pool lighting safety guide.

Tip 10: Tap Into Community Resources

You’re not in this alone. There’s a whole community of pool owners out there sharing hacks, tips, and bulk purchases.

How-To: Join a local pool forum or Facebook group. Pool owners often chip in on bulk buys or recommend affordable services. And keep an eye out—some cities offer rebates for water-saving upgrades or energy-efficient pool gear.

Want more insider advice? Bookmark our pool maintenance blog and never miss a money-saving tip.

Final Thoughts:

You don’t need a pool guy on speed dial—or a padded bank account—to maintain your pool like a pro. These 10 tips, from dialing in your water chemistry to investing in smart tech, are your ticket to easier, cheaper pool care.

Start with one or two changes—maybe testing your water weekly or finally getting that cover—and build from there. Each small fix adds up.

And don’t forget: robotic cleaners and auto skimmers aren’t luxury—they’re sanity-savers.

Enjoy your pool the way it was meant to be: fun, refreshing, and easy on the wallet.