Why You Should Add a UV Pool System to Your Pool

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The UV pool system is a newer pool water filtration system. Because of the health risks, people are moving away from chlorine and other chemical-based pool systems. UV is the alternative that many people are preferring, and it is one that you should consider as well.

UV pool systems pose no health risk for you. It is able to destroy all harmful bacteria, viruses, algae, and pathogens. This system is environmentally friendly and minimizes the need for chemicals. It has no residual disinfection and is considered by many to be the best cleaning technology.

However, simply knowing this information is insufficient to make an informed decision about your pool water filtration system.

As a result, I’ll also talk about how much does a UV pool system costs, how safe they are, the pros and cons of installing one, and much more throughout the article.

I’ll also dispel any misconceptions you might have about why UV is as well. 

Is the UV Pool System Safe?

The UV pool filtration system is extremely safe. This system significantly reduces the use of chemicals that are harmful to your body. You don’t need to use chemicals that much because UV light does the majority of the cleaning.

You might be wondering that if UV is bad for your body, a UV filtration device can be healthy. Because UV does not even come into contact with your skin.

Since the UV lamps are shielded by a high-impact polymer housing, UV is unable to escape the sterilization chamber. As a result, UV rays will not enter your swimming pool, and you will be absolutely safe and healthy.

UV pool filtration systems are not totally chemical-free. However, UV light minimizes the damage caused by these chemicals, as it prevents the formation of harmful chlorine by-products known as chloramines, protecting you from stinging eyes, allergies, skin irritations, and asthma.

UV light destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, algae, and cysts. It even eliminates pathogens for you.

UV light is also the most environmentally friendly among the pool filtration systems because this uses a physical process to sanitize water.

The residual effect has no negative impacts on humans, animals, aquatic species, or plant life. This process also minimizes your need to produce, handle or store harmful chemicals that could damage your body.

Cost of Installing A UV Pool System

The cost of UV pool sanitizers for your residential pool can range from $350 to $2000. If you want your UV filtration system to do its job properly and last for several years without breaking the bank, you should budget around $500-$600.

The residential UV pool system is much lower than the industrial UV pool system. If you want to install a UV filtration system in an industrial pool, it will cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000. 

How to Choose the Right UV Pool System for Your Budget?

The first thing you must decide on is the brand. The cost varies greatly depending on the brand you choose. You should look into all of the brands to see what they have to offer and what might be the best option for you.

You can also contact the manufacturer to verify the device’s certifications and visit NSF International’s website to see whether it is part of an accredited UV filtration system.

The main factors besides the brand that impact the price are,

• Bulb size
• Flow rate
• Pressure lamp

If you want your UV system to filter your pool water faster, which means a higher flow rate, then your pool will be more expensive.

You should look for a UV light that can sanitize the entire volume of your pool in 8 to 12 hours. This will allow you to have a turnover rate of two to three cycles per day.

For your residential use, you should choose a low-pressure UV lamp. A low-pressure UV lamp will emit monochromatic UV rays with a wavelength of 254 nm.

Using a low-pressure UV lamp will lower your initial cost significantly while also consuming significantly less electricity.

But for industrial use, you will have to choose a medium pressure UV lamp because it has far superior sanitation abilities.

When it comes to lowering chloramine levels and improving air quality, medium pressure lamps are more successful because they have large light spectra.

Maintaining A UV Pool System

One significant advantage of a UV system is that it requires little maintenance. Because the lamp gradually loses its effectiveness, you should replace it once a year.

You should also clean it to keep its effectiveness. If your unit has a UV emission detector, it will notify you when the intensity falls below a certain level, allowing you to replace it.

You should also clean the quartz tube periodically. If there is any film in the light source, you should use sodium hydrosulfite or citric acid to remove the film effectively. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of UV Pool System

UV pool sanitizing systems, like any other pool sanitization system, have advantages and disadvantages. This is the best pool sanitizing system in my opinion.

However, I will describe the system’s advantages and disadvantages so that you can decide for yourself whether it is the best system for you.

Advantages

UV systems are getting popular day by day due to their advantages. That’s why this system is used in about 80% of new water parks and aquatic facilities. Here are the advantages of this system,

• Kills all harmful parasites
• Reduces the need for chemicals
• Low maintenance 
• Safer than chemicals
• No residual disinfection
• Cleans so thoroughly that the water is drinkable
• Considered as the best cleaning technology
• The power draw is very low 

Disadvantages

There is no such thing as a perfect sanitation system. There are some aspects of the UV pool system that you will not enjoy.

These are nitpicky and definitely not deal breakers. But I’ll let you know about these so you can make an informed decision.

• Sanitation occurs only while the water is exposed to UV light. If the UV light misses a portion of the bacteria, they may re-enter the pool.
• You need to sanitize the piping using chemical cleaners.
• UV light loses its effectiveness over time and you need to replace it.
• Repairs are expensive

Is UV Better than Chlorine?

UV is unquestionably superior to chlorine. UV cleaning is more effective and poses no health risks for you. 

If you have any doubts about whether is UV better than chlorine, then I will dispel all of your concerns in this section.

UV disinfection is a physical mechanism that has no effect on water quality. But chlorine is a chemical process that alters the quality of the water.

Pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Giardia are chlorine-resistant. But they can be easily disinfected by UV.

Chlorine poses many health threats. Chlorine and its byproducts may cause respiratory irritation, skin irritation, dry skin, allergies, and other problems. On the other hand, UV poses no health issues at all. 

One advantage that chlorine has is that it is really cheap. However, chlorine is toxic to your well-being and is not worth the money you save. 

Conclusion

By now, you’re aware that UV is a superior pool water filtration system. With all of the benefits it offers, you should without a doubt install a UV pool system in your pool.

I’ve also gone into great detail about how much does a UV pool system costs and it might sound a lot but there’s no price too high for ensuring the health of your loved ones. 

Best wishes, and thank you for reading this article.