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Pool: Pros/Cons
#1
Picking up from the topic recently posted on B&Bs: any idea, roughly, of the minimum cost to install an in-ground pool? Ground conditions will impact cost, this is just ballpark. As for costs, is a salt water pool more expensive up front(if so,why?)with lower maintenance over time? Would a 4' maximum depth (sport or lap pool) instead of the traditional very deep pool need to be heated or would the sun warm up the water over time? For safety, what is required for perimeter fencing? We have a lot in HPP and are looking at fencing the lot; however, would that be sufficient for the pool requirements?

Laura
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#2
Ever look into a "swim in place" pool, where a pump provides resistance for swimming in a very small space. Could be easily covered to keep it clean, or heated.

I used to clean pools on Oahu, and would say most owners regret them as time passes.
Gordon J Tilley
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#3
Laura,

Expect at least 50k for a decent in-ground pool. It will vary depending on what you install (gunite, fiberglass, vinyl, etc...). A dark colored surface will help absorb solar energy. You can also install heating coils under a dark concrete deck as a way to collect heat.

Fencing should be at least 4ft high. You can also limit the barrier to around the pool area.

Be prepared for the electricity costs associated with the filtration/pumping system.

Contact me directly if you'd like to discuss more.



Noel
http://HiloParadise.com
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#4
Salt water corrodes pipes and chews through pumps at an amazing rate. You will need a much more expensive pump if you are going to be running salt water through it, I would suspect.

Powering a pool pump and filter will probably run several hundred dollars a month in increased electrical costs. Find out how much power they need and use forty five cents a kilowatt hour to calculate the monthly electric costs.


"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson

"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales." 
Kurt Wilson
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#5
Check this out:
http://www.rinrobyn.com/natural-pools.html

Natural pools are constructed according to georgraphical area. Each region is different, but you can build big enough to swim in. I love it; no chlorine & harsh chemicals!



Delia Montgomery
d/b/a Chic Eco
Environmental Fashion & Design ~ Consultant & Broker
www.ChicEco.com Info@ChicEco.com
Delia Montgomery,
Environmentalist
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#6
Thank you all for responding. $50k "minimum" is indeed a sobering number. Growing up in SoCal, a pool was not a huge luxury item and we used one all the time as kids. The cost/kw in HA is far higher than where we live in Vancouver, British Columbia. Here, it's less than 7 cents/kw but the weather doesn't justify a pool, so I have no experience maintaining one as an adult. Guess getting the pool in place is just the start, then it's monthly electricity costs, chemicals and pool cleaning/maintenance. What about a hot tub built in within surrounding decking - is that a more practical option?

Mahalo for the replies.

Laura
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#7
I'm in the process of installing an inground pool - interesting experience. We opted for a vinyl lined kit pool. We actually shipped the kit in our container when we moved. As noted, the cost will be impacted by ground conditions. Fortunately, we have soil, so digging was not difficult, certainly not as difficult as lava. Due to the slope of our property, the makai side of the pool is actually above the ground plane, meaning we have to add significant amount of rock fill. Energy costs are another factor. We did increase our solar/PV system in hopes of handling the pumps/filtration. I was very interested in the salt vs chlorine solution, but found out the the salt solution requires always on electric component - basically a non starter. We will use a chloride/mineral system that maintains a low level of chlorine. As for fencing, you must have 4ft min height, with opening not permitting passage of 4 inch sphere. Gates must be the self latching, child proof type. When I had my initial county inspection, this was the primary concern of the inspector. My understanding is fencing the entire property would have to meet these standards to be acceptable. I will build a solar heater dedicated to only the pool. Back to cost question - by the time it's complete, the pool kit itself will be just a fraction (25% or less) of the total cost. Hope this helps.

David

Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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#8
For almost 20 years IL we had an old 3.5x3.5x12 ft stainless steel pool (prior to our getting it it was a duck pond, before that a horse trough & before that most likely something more industrial...) that we had plumbed for swim jets, but I found that the swim training bungee cords were better for long training with mixed strokes (the current flow had to be changed every time... & that meant that swimming stopped....) .

This pool was great on chemicals (initially had chlorine, but changed the water to bromine for the last nine years we had it..) easy to heat up & filter... and economical when we stopped using the swim jets (these use a bit of electricity...)
although very small, we often had 3-6 neighbor kids in it... so a pool does not need to be large to be useful

(oh.... for those of you who are questioning swimming in place..... it is much like cycling in place, lap swimming in a pool is swimming in place with a whole lotta turns!)

One of the things I wish we had brought there....
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#9
I'll second the bromine suggestion, I had chlorine and my brother in law has bromine and I'm all for the bromine.

In regards to cleaning I had an automatic sweep that rolled around the bottom and sides and it was the best money I ever spent!
See you in the surf
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