midngal
I also heard this from a pool professional...who said a long as the pool was circulating during freezing temps.(He spoke about goldline automation equipemnet) that it did NOT need to be covered or closed. What temp zone are you in TN? I'm in 6-7 zone in the eastern panhandle of WV. 10 mins. south of Maryland. I'm sure lots of readers would be interested in this info. especially new pool owners who haven't yet pd. for pool covers.

geminijenn, I was glad to see I wasn't the only one with this question! I was starting to think it may have been a stupid one! I'm in the 6-7 zone as well. The thing I hadn't thought about is the power outage and freezing rain, etc. We do get that on occasion as I'm sure you do. I'm thinking that myabe it would be well worth it to pay the 2K now and be sure rather than take a chance and have to spend who knows what down the line to fix a brand new pool!! :)

We just opened our pool and want to keep it open as long as possible. The cover situation is high on our questions too. We would like to keep uncovered because I do not want to drill in those grommets into our new quartzite decking. I love the deck and do not want to ruin the natural look. We talked with pool guys today and they said main reason for cover is safety. We have a pond too so safety is not our issue. So next problem is just making sure that leaves stay out and chlorine level is good. They said no matter what we would need a back up generator in case of power outages. Needless to say we are still reviewing our options.

What part of TN I'm in knoxville...We have tons of customers that keep there pool open all the time. With todays automation you can do anything, But because of our good old Tennessse leaves the Safety Cover still has a purpose. You put it on when you are on Vacation and when the Leaves are falling.....

muddy...I'm in Nashville although I'm from Knoxville orginally. I won't have a leaf issue, but I sure will have a pine needle issue! But, of course, that will be year-round probably with winter being the least "labor-intensive". I don't plan on having any kind of automation just yet, so anything that would need to be done is all on me and I'm not a big fan of the cold! In your most professional opinion and knowing the weather here...what do you think about leaving it open? I have no children or pets so that isn't an issue. Thanks!

Ok if it were me I would take a look at the Pentair Easy Touch along with there SWG (Intelliclor) The Easytouch upgrade from me is $500.00 installed. This automation will let you do alot of things. Run your pool 6 to 8 hours only during the summer and give you the freeze protection you asking about plus a whole lot more...Now this is one of those things that is much cheaper to install now rather than later. For example the safety cover can be installed anytime if you so decide to close your pool. Will it hurt anything to not close your pool? Nope your pool will be fine. Very little chemicals will be needed but your water should be checked every couple of months just to be safe. You will have to go outside and clean out your skimmers and pool floor and drain some water out of the pool during the winter months. Just for your information I am currently building my own pool if I can ever get the dang pool company to show up again...LOL I intend to leave it open all year even though I have a safety cover already waiting in my garage. Go to Pentairs web site and check out the Easy Touch automation
{{!gwi}} {{!gwi}} {{!gwi}} {{!gwi}}

OMG! That's too funny and somewhat ironical that the pool company is stringing along. Guess it's not the same one you work for/own? Okay, now I'm leaning towards leaving it open. My friend says he puts red and green lights in his at Christmas. I thought that would be pretty cool! So, I've looked at Pentair's web site and see the systems you're talking about. I'm somewhat confused. The company that is doing my pool installs Foxx Pools (a dealer), so their web site says they have their own version of all this equipment. Is this just a "label" thing or just not as good a product? My poor PB is going to take the internet away from me before this is over!! LOL

The pool company I have is my own!!!! My wife keeps insisting the pay customers come first ,,,,,Go figure!!

Try to insist on useing a brand of equipment that is not there own...So later when you need parts you are not stuck into buying and paying their prices.

Muddy water,
That must be like the cobbler's kids have no shoes. ha!

I am also leaning toward keeping mine open...what zone are you in/ where are you located? safety cover isn't an issue for safety...and as far as leaves in the yard...also not an issue. If I have to run the pool during temps of 38 and below...how often should it run when temps are above that? thanks

muddy, sorry but I'll to agree with the wife...momma needs new shoes!!! :)

I've talked to the PB today and it turns out that it is the Pentair product that he is putting in (couldn't read his chicken scrathchin'!) although it is not the Intellichor. I think for now I will just go with what he's suggested and look into upgrading in the future when this stuff will need replacing. I'm also back to leaning towards closing it with a safety cover. You know how these ice storms can come up and I'm thinking I really don't want to deal with that before I even get to swim in the dang thing! Being a first time pool owner makes me nervous enough. Once I get the hang of it I may do that next year or something. I really appreciate your advice and will definetly take it into consideration when the time comes. In the meantime...keep those pics coming!

midtngal Can you list the equipment he is installing.It would be much better Warranty wise if he put all Pentair equipment in. From 1 year to 3 years better...I would really reconsider the Easytouch. It replaces your electrical panel so it much better to install it now...So If you will list the contract.We will have a look and see what is better to install later...
geminijenn Just a few hours A day is all you need when it is above freezing.. I'm in Tennessee also, zone 7 I think..

Well, I'll try to tell you what it is...chicken scratchin' I'm tellin' ya!
filter - TR50 Pac Fab
Pump & Motor 3/4 hp Pac Fab
Automatic chlorinator - mincralsras (THAT'S the word I have no idea what it says, but that's what it looks like!!) He said what he is installing is Pentair. I have checked and he is a dealer for them, so I guess I can believe him!? Is he telling me the truth here?? I'm no dummy, but this is all very greek to me! From what I've told you, will the Easytouch be compatible with this? $500 I have no problem with doing right now...$3500 (according to him doing the Intellichor and Easytouch) is more than I'm willing to do at this point. I really appreciate you doing this!

Ok first thing... have you signed a contract? It should be very clear what you are getting. If I'm not wrong you are getting a Chlorine feeder (see link below) Not a chlorine generater (SWG)/ Intellichor There is a retail differance of about $2000.00 dollars between these Items. $3500 is crazy for the upgrade the Intellichor and the EasyTouch at most should be $2500..... I would really look into this guy if it were me,,,Sorry to scare you, but you spending alot of money so you can't be to careful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chlorine Feeder

muddy...yes, I do have a contract. Everything is clear except for that one thing. I've gotten a clarification today on what it says - it's the Bioguard Mineral Springs chlorinator. Is this similar to what you're thinking it is?? I did check on this guy before. He's on the up and up. I talked to people who've had him do their pools and they said they'd do it again in a heartbeat. I've seen pools he has done and pools he's working on. Everything is fabulous. He's been doing this for 30 years now. I just think he's one of our "good ole boys". So, what's your opinion on this Bioguard product? I have friends who have this and they love it.

You must be working with the FOXX pools dealer in Hendersonville. I think thats the only one in the area...I could be wrong. I know that dealer has been in that location for a long as I can remember...and Ive lived here since 1983. A good freind of mine had their pool in East Nashville put in by him (his parents did as well), and have had no complaints. He (an older guy) quoted a pool for us when we were doing our initial designing...but we decided against a vinyl pool. We have the mineral springs (bioguard) salt water system and LOVE it. There has never been a problem with our water quality in the 2 years we've had the pool.

dtinbna, actually it's Roy Vaden I'm working with. I'm not sure if used to be with the one in Hendersonville or not. I noticed on the BBB web site that the Foxx in Hendersonville had some complaints on them. Roy has been wonderful so far and was actually recommended to me by some friends. I'm glad to hear you like the Bioguard system. I don't think Roy would steer me wrong, but I guess ya never know!!

I don't know the system but....It sounds like you have a good builder so sit back and enjoy the ride...

dtinbna, since you have this Bioguard system....do you know if it is compatible with any sort of automation system?

muddy, thanks for all your input! I think he is a good guy...at least I'm hoping so! So far, so good. There sure is a lot of dirt in my backyard!! :)