What a 6-Month Season Really Costs

If you're like most pool owners, you've probably wondered: "Am I spending too much on pool chemicals?" The short answer is yes — likely thousands more than necessary.

We conducted a comprehensive cost analysis comparing three major pool supply approaches for a standard 20,000-gallon pool over a typical 6-month swimming season. The results will shock you.

What We Analyzed

Our study examined the complete chemical program needed to maintain crystal-clear, safe pool water from opening to closing, including:

  • Commodities: Essential sanitizers, pH adjusters, alkalinity boosters, and calcium hardness increasers
  • Specialties: Algaecides, clarifiers, stain preventers, phosphate removers, and enzyme treatments

The Assumptions

To ensure a fair comparison, we standardized several key factors:

  • Pool size: 20,000 gallons
  • Season length: 6 months (typical for most climates)
  • Water quality goals: Crystal clear, properly balanced water
  • Usage patterns: Regular family swimming with typical bather load

What You'll Discover Below

1. Our Specialty Kit Costs Half What Others Charge

While competitors sell you 6-8 separate specialty products totaling $1,000-$1,150, our comprehensive Personalized Pool Kit delivers the same results for just $489 — that's literally half the cost.

2. We Use 71% Fewer Commodity Chemicals

Our optimized chemical program requires only $340 in basic chemicals compared to competitors who burn through $1,184-$1,414 worth of commodities. Less waste, better results, dramatically lower costs.

Pool Cost Summary Cards
The Other Guys
Commodities: $1,184.59
Specialties: $1,005.77
Grand Total: $2,190.36
$1,361 more

Assumptions:

  • (1) 35 lb bucket for Trichlor tabs
  • Don't want sulfates - using dry acid
  • Full specialty chemical program
  • Higher retail pricing structure
  • Comprehensive product selection
The OTHER Other Guys
Commodities: $1,414.18
Specialties: $1,154.73
Grand Total: $2,568.91
$1,740 more

Assumptions:

  • (2) 25 lb buckets for Trichlor tabs
  • Premium pricing on specialty products
  • Full range of specialty chemicals
  • Includes Pool RX/Frog mineral system
  • Higher quantities required for some products
Pool Chemicals Comparison
📱 Scroll horizontally to see all columns
Personalized Pool The Other Guys The Other Other Guys
Product Cost Qty Total Cost Qty Total Cost Qty Total
COMMODITIES
Trichlor tabs --- $4.29/lb35.0$150.15 $7.40/lb50.0$369.98
Liquid Chlorine $6.46/gal26.0$167.96 $9.00/gal26.0$234.00 ---
Dichlor shock $6.00/lb10.0$59.96 $9.99/lb12.0$119.88 ---
Cal hypo shock --- $9.99/lb20.0$199.80 $8.99/lb52.0$467.48
CYA $4.20/lb5.0$20.98 --- ---
Muriatic Acid $9.49/gal2.0$18.98 --- ---
Dry acid --- $3.09/lb110.0$339.90 $2.62/lb110.0$288.20
Sodium Bicarb $1.87/lb13.7$29.98 $1.04/lb67.6$70.30 $2.20/lb67.6$148.72
Calcium Chloride $1.70/lb25.0$42.41 $2.40/lb29.4$70.56 $2.83/lb29.4$83.20
Soda Ash --- --- $2.83/lb20.0$56.60
Subtotal $340.27 $1,184.59 $1,414.18
SPECIALTIES
Copper Algaecide --- $31.99/qt1.0$31.99 $38.99/qt3.0$116.97
Poly Quat Algaecide --- $37.99/qt7.5$284.93 $39.99/qt7.5$299.93
Blue Clarifier --- $24.99/qt4.0$99.96 $19.99/qt4.0$79.96
Stain/Scale Inhibitor --- $91.98/gal1.0$91.98 $25.99/qt4.0$103.96
Phosphate Remover --- $42.99/L4.0$171.96 $29.99/qt4.0$119.96
Enzymes --- $64.99/L5.0$324.95 $64.99/L5.0$324.95
Pool RX / Frog System --- --- $109.00/ea1$109.00
Personalized Pool Kit $489.00/ea1$489.00 --- ---
Subtotal $489.00 $1,005.77 $1,154.73
TOTAL $829.27 $2,190.36 $2,568.91

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