Oct
23
Why You Should Invest in a Swimming Pool Ionizer
Filed Under Equipment, Maintenance & Cleaning, Accessories
The ionizer is a device that releases trace amounts of silver and copper ions into the pool to kill bacteria and algae. The big advantage of a swimming pool ionizer is that it allows for a large reduction in chemical use. With an ionizer you can expect to need 80% less chlorine to keep your pool clean.
How Does a Pool Ionizer Work?
A swimming pool ionizer works by applying a small electric voltage between alloyed mineral electrodes that release copper and silver ions (small electrically charged particles) into the water. The tiny ions are able to penetrate cell membranes and disrupt enzyme stability within the cells. Small organisms such as bacteria and algae are very susceptible to this process and are therefore killed off. Purportedly, the ancient Romans also relied on this principle to keep their water fresh by dropping metal coins into it.
Are Swimming Pool Ionizers Safe?
The small amounts of ions that do the job of sanitizing a pool are completely safe for humans and are within the Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standards. These ions are also present in the human body in small amounts anyway and are actually essential for its well being.
The Benefits of Pool Ionizers
Because of the sanitizing power of ions, an ionizer greatly reduces the amount of chemicals necessary to keep the pool clean. The majority of the chemicals used to sanitize pools, most prominently ones that chlorinate, are hazardous and toxic. High doses of pool chlorine can cause skin and eye irritations, hair discoloration, bleaching of baiting suits, a strong chemical smell, and can also corrode pool equipment and liners. The ions, on the other hand are completely safe.
Does Ionization Completely Eliminate the Need for Chemicals?
Ionization does not totally do away with the need for chemical sanitizers. The ions don’t get rid of non-living biological contaminant, such as body oils or sunscreen, that chemical sanitizers do clear. These are unaffected by the ions and will cloud the water. You therefore will need to treat your pool with chlorine, or similar chemical substitutes, but the amounts of chemicals needed will be much smaller.
Depending on your pool’s conditions and the ionizer type you may need to periodically (e.g. once a week or once a month) shock the pool with high doses of chemical sanitizers and maintain a low dose for an extended period. Pools that are heated above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, that are heavily used, or otherwise suffer from cloudy water, will require low dose chemicals for extended periods of time. The amount of chlorine in a pool without an ionizer should typically be from 1.0 to 2.0 parts per million (ppm), whereas ionized pools typically need no more than 0.4 ppm, with good ionizers needing much less. At this low level, chlorine is not very problematic.
An ionizer will not be effective in clearing a pool that has a lot of algae to begin with. An ionizer simply won’t be able to generate enough ions to combat major algae outbreaks, and the pool will therefore have to be treated chemically. This fact leads some people to believe that pool ionizers don’t work at all, but it’s certainly not the case. An ionizer will be very effective in keeping a properly maintained pool clear.
What Are the Expenses Associated With an Ionizer for Swimming Pools?
The expenses associated with a pool ionizer vary from model to model, but overall they are considerably lower than maintaining a pool with chemical sanitizers alone. You can expect to spend money on the following:
- The initial purchase of the ionizer.
- The ongoing expense of periodically replacing the ionizer’s electrodes.
- The ongoing expense of chemical sanitizers such as chlorine, which are still needed, but at far smaller quantities.
- Ongoing electricity needs, which are small.
Usually, the more expensive ionizers have lower ongoing expenses, and vice versa. So an expensive model may require less frequent replacement of electrodes (every few years instead of months), and need less chemicals. Some ionizers also work on solar power and draw all their energy from the sun. In addition to lower ongoing costs, more advanced pool ionizers allow for better water quality and electronic monitoring of ion levels.
