Stop losing thousands of gallons to evaporation and save $200-600 annually on pool water costs
Typical savings from using pool covers, optimizing water chemistry, and reducing evaporation. Pools can lose 25,000-50,000 gallons annually to evaporation alone.
Pools and spas are significant water users - a typical uncovered pool loses 2-4 inches of water per week to evaporation during hot summer months. That's 1,000-2,000 gallons monthly, costing $12-30/month just to replace evaporated water. Add in backwashing, splashout, and leaks, and annual water costs can exceed $300-600.
The good news? Simple strategies like using a pool cover can reduce evaporation by 90-95%, dramatically cutting water waste while also reducing chemical and heating costs.
Understanding water loss helps prioritize solutions:
| Source of Loss | Typical Amount | Annual Cost | Preventable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporation | 25,000-50,000 gal/year | $300-600 | 90-95% with cover |
| Backwashing | 2,000-5,000 gal/year | $25-60 | 50% with cartridge filter |
| Splashout | 1,000-3,000 gal/year | $12-36 | Partially (lower water level) |
| Leaks | 0-20,000 gal/year | $0-240 | 100% with repairs |
| Draining/Refilling | 0-15,000 gal/year | $0-180 | Mostly (better chemistry) |
A pool cover is the single most effective water-saving tool for pool owners. By blocking sun and wind, covers reduce evaporation by 90-95%.
Cost: $50-200
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Lightweight, float on water. Block evaporation and heat pool using solar energy. Must be removed for swimming.
Cost: $5,000-15,000
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Motorized covers that roll out at push of a button. Most convenient but expensive. Also serve as safety covers.
Cost: $1,500-3,500
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Secured with anchors. Meet safety standards, reduce evaporation, and keep debris out. Typically used seasonally.
Cost: $10-20/month
Biodegradable liquid forms invisible layer reducing evaporation 15-30%. Less effective than physical covers but no hassle.
| Cover Type | Cost | Annual Water Savings | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar cover (manual) | $100-200 | $250-450 | 3-9 months |
| Safety cover | $1,500-3,500 | $250-450 | 4-14 years |
| Automatic cover | $5,000-15,000 | $300-500 | 10-50 years |
Bottom line: Solar covers offer the best ROI for pure water savings. Automatic and safety covers are justified primarily for convenience and safety, with water savings as a bonus.
Pool: 15,000 gallons, Phoenix, AZ (high evaporation climate)
Without cover: Loses 50,000 gallons/year to evaporation = $600/year
With $150 solar cover: Loses 2,500 gallons/year = $30/year
Annual savings: $570 water + $200-400 in chemicals + $300-600 heating = $1,070-1,570/year
Payback: Less than 2 months!
If you're not ready for a cover, these strategies reduce evaporation 10-30%:
Pools can develop leaks that waste thousands of gallons. Use the bucket test to check for leaks:
Normal evaporation affects both equally. If pool drops significantly more than bucket, you likely have a leak requiring professional repair.
Your filter type affects water usage:
Recommendation: If replacing your filter, consider cartridge for water savings. If keeping sand filter, only backwash when pressure gauge shows 8-10 PSI above clean pressure (not on arbitrary schedule).
Improper chemistry leads to draining and refilling, wasting 10,000-20,000 gallons. Maintain proper balance to avoid this:
Spas and hot tubs have unique considerations:
Hot water evaporates much faster than pool temperature water. A spa without a cover can lose 10-20 gallons per day. Quality insulated covers reduce this by 95%.
Typical 400-gallon spa needs water replacement every 3-4 months with good chemistry = 1,200-1,600 gallons/year. Poor chemistry may require monthly changes = 4,800 gallons/year. Proper maintenance saves 3,000+ gallons annually.
Modern pool automation can optimize water use:
Maintain precise chemistry automatically, preventing over-treatment and water replacement needs.
Run pump at optimal speed for filtration efficiency. Reduces backwash frequency and energy costs.
Detect sudden drops indicating leaks or problems. Alert you before major water loss.
Maintains optimal level automatically. Combined with leak detection prevents waste.
Smart landscaping reduces pool water needs:
| Strategy | Implementation Cost | Annual Water Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool cover (solar) | $100-200 | $250-450 | 3-9 months |
| Fix identified leaks | $150-500 | $50-240 | 1-3 years |
| Turn off water features | $0 | $50-150 | Immediate |
| Proper chemistry maintenance | $50/year testing | $0-180 | Immediate |
| Cartridge filter (vs sand) | $300-600 | $30-65 | 5-20 years |
Total potential savings: $400-1,000+ annually when combining multiple strategies, plus additional savings on chemicals and heating from pool covers.
Pool conservation is just one piece of reducing your overall water bill. Explore our other guides for comprehensive savings strategies.
Smart Irrigation Indoor Water Savings Drought-Tolerant Landscaping