N
InsightHorizon Digest

What is a pool chlorine generator

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on April 02, 2026

Yes, salt water generators do cost a good bit of money upfront. … Look at it this way: swimming pool owners who use salt, in many cases, will spend less than $100 a year on chemicals. Without salt, I’ve seen regular chlorine users spend well over $300 a season on chemicals.

Are chlorine generators worth it?

Yes, salt water generators do cost a good bit of money upfront. … Look at it this way: swimming pool owners who use salt, in many cases, will spend less than $100 a year on chemicals. Without salt, I’ve seen regular chlorine users spend well over $300 a season on chemicals.

What does a chlorinator do for a pool?

Saltwater Chlorinators use an electrolytic cell to sanitise your swimming pool. By adding a small amount of salt (sodium chloride) to your pool water, the cell converts the chloride contained in the salt water into chlorine. This is an extremely efficient and cost-effective method of sanitising your pool.

What is a chlorine generator?

The chlorine generator (also known as salt cell, salt generator, salt chlorinator, or SWG) uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved salt to produce chlorine gas or its dissolved forms, hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite, which are already commonly used as sanitizing agents in pools.

How long do pool chlorine generators last?

A well-maintained salt chlorine generator will last 3-7 years. Replacing the salt cell costs $700-$1100. Replacing the control board costs $500-$900. You can extend the lifespans by maintaining a consistent salt level, cleaning the cell only when needed, and using the reverse polarity function.

How much does it cost to switch a chlorine pool to saltwater?

Converting Chlorine Pool to Salt Water Costs Expect to pay between $500 and $2,500 to convert a traditional chlorinated pool to a salt water system, depending on the size and type of pool you have. Salt systems can feature self-cleaning and diagnostics, digital salt readouts, and the ability to control pool equipment.

Does a salt water pool use chlorine?

A saltwater pool is an alternative to a traditional chlorine pool. Although you don’t add chlorine tablets to a saltwater pool, it does still contain chlorine. It just has a smaller amount that’s generated through the filter system. A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean.

Is liquid chlorinator the same as chlorine?

Chlorinating Liquid is a popular choice among pool owners and can be used as a substitute when chlorinating tablets may be unavailable. … *1 gallon of chlorinating liquid delivers the same amount of chlorine as 2 chlorinating tablets.

Is a salt water chlorinator worth it?

An investment in a salt water chlorinator is a much more environmentally friendly option, since they only require non-toxic salt to function. They also require very little energy to run, so they will not significantly increase your pool’s energy consumption or carbon footprint.

Where is the chlorinator in my pool?

The inline chlorinator is installed directly into the piping that’s connected to your pump and filter system. The offline chlorinator is installed on the side of the system and connected with a tube. You’ll probably find that certain pool chlorinators can be adapted to work either way.

Article first time published on

What should chlorinator be set at?

We suggest you start your salt chlorine generator at 50 percent output and run it for a couple of days, then check the chlorine level. In a balanced pool, a good chlorine level is 1-3 parts per million. If your chlorine levels are low, you can raise the percentage, and if it’s high you can lower the percentage.

What's better saltwater or chlorine pool?

Lower chlorine levels make saltwater pools gentler on skin and eyes. … Chlorine levels in saltwater pools are enough to disinfect, but not enough to fade expensive swimwear and gear. Because of the natural chlorine, saltwater pools require fewer chemicals (and less attention) compared to chlorinated pools.

How long should I run my chlorine generator?

Your pool system including chlorine generator should be operated often enough to completely turn your pool water over at least every 12 hours or twice a day.

How much salt does a chlorine generator need?

Ideally, the recommended salt levels fall between 2700-3400 parts per million (ppm). However, each salt chlorine generator is different. Therefore, the minimum salt level needed for operation varies. We recommend referring to the owner’s manual for the exact number.

What happens if you pee in a saltwater pool?

All forms of aquatic life pee in the ocean with no adverse effects to the marine environment. Urea in the ocean actually helps feed plant life, so there is a “system balance” present that is not found in swimming pools.

Why is salt water pools bad?

Saltwater Systems Cause Corrosion Corrosion is a common problem with saltwater pools. Saltwater systems pass salt through an electrolytic cell to produce chlorine. Pool water can become extremely over-chlorinated and corrosive if the sodium hypochlorite levels get too high.

Can salt water pools be heated?

Heating a Pool That Uses Salt Chlorine Generation You need to heat your pool to enjoy it year ’round. … There are several types of swimming pool heaters including solar, electric, gas, and thermal blankets. All are compatible with saltwater chlorine generator systems.

Is salt water pool easier to maintain?

Yes, a salt water pool is easier to maintain! … Simply add salt and your pool’s salt chlorinator will do all the work of making chlorine. While all pools require chemicals to maintain clean, clear water, salt water pools are more stable than traditional chlorinated pools, so they require fewer chemicals.

Is it easy to convert a chlorine pool to saltwater?

Saltwater Pool Conversion Steps Converting your traditional chlorine pool to a salt system is not as difficult as you may think. You won’t even have to drain your pool and refill it with fresh water. … Install your saltwater chlorinator and check for leaks. (Most likely, you’ll need to hire a professional for this.)

Do you shock a salt water pool?

Should you add shock to a salt water pool? It’s absolutely okay to shock your salt water pool, and is actually pretty important! … Running your pool’s super-chlorinate feature too often is hard on the motor and will cause it to wear out faster.

How is pool chlorine made?

Chlorine is produced by the electrolysis of salt water. When electricity is passed through 2NaCl (salt) and 2H20 (water), the atoms dissociate into Cl2 (chlorine) + 2NaOH (sodium Hydroxide) + H2 (Hydrogen).

Can I make chlorine at home?

To mix chlorine bleach combine 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and 94.75 percent water. To mix non-chlorine bleach, combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Pour mixture into the plastic container, and secure tightly. Shake to mix ingredients.

How do I convert my above ground pool to saltwater?

  1. Determine the type of saltwater system that best suits your needs. …
  2. Use a water hose or pool pump to drain the water from your pool. …
  3. Install your new saltwater system according to the owner’s manual and slowly fill the pool with fresh water.

What is a salt water pool system?

Saltwater systems have been becoming increasingly popular in recent years. They offer a number of benefits over a regular chlorine pool. Saltwater swimming pools draw on dissolved salt in the water to generate chlorine. … It simply utilizes a chlorine generator instead of being dependent on chlorine added in other forms.

Can you open your eyes in a salt water pool?

If it’s a saltwater pool, by all means, open your eyes. So long as you know perfectly well that the pool is clean and free of any bacteria or viruses. … Feel free to do it here and there if you believe the pool to be extremely clean, but you might still suffer from some irritation, stinging and redness due to the salt.

Are chlorinators safe?

Pathogens present in water can be transmitted through a drinking water distribution system, causing waterborne disease in those who consume it. … Along with other water treatment processes such as coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration, chlorination creates water that is safe for public consumption.

Can I use bleach instead of chlorine in my pool?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends on the formulation. The label on every bleach bottle should tell you the ratio of sodium hypochlorite (and available chlorine) in the bottle to everything else. A higher percentage is generally better, as you’ll need to use less bleach to treat your pool.

Is liquid chlorine same as shock?

Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.

What is the difference between Clorox and chlorine?

Bleach and chlorine are the same chemical, and both will keep your pool sparkling. … In truth, bleach contains the same base chemical as pool chlorine. That chemical is, of course, chlorine, and the only major difference between the two products is the concentration strength.

Do you need a chlorinator?

It is essential to keep your chlorine levels between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million to maintain a clean and well-balanced swim environment. To keep your pool running optimally, you will need an automatic pool chlorinator to make your life a little easier.

What will happen if the chlorinator is not working?

When the saltwater chlorinator fails, it cannot produce enough chlorine to meet the swimming pool needs. This can result in the pool water turning dirty, leading to poor sanitation, algae formation, and corrosion in parts of the pool.