Pool Maintenance Cost in Utah: What to Budget Annually

Owning a Utah pool is a long-term commitment — and the maintenance cost surprises many first-time owners. Here’s a real breakdown of what to expect annually in 2026.

The Quick Numbers

• DIY (you handle weekly maintenance): $1,200 – $2,500/year
• Hybrid (DIY weekly + pro opens/closes/major service): $1,800 – $3,500/year
• Full pro service: $3,500 – $6,500/year
• Plus 5-year averaged equipment replacement: $300 – $1,500/year

Detailed Breakdown

Chemicals (annual)

• Chlorine pools: $400 – $900
• Salt pools: $150 – $400 (lower chemical, but salt cell replacement every 3-7 years)
• Algaecides, clarifiers, shock: $100 – $250

Filter / Cartridge replacement

• Cartridge filters: $80 – $200 every 1-2 years
• DE powder: $50 – $150/year
• Sand replacement: $50 – $150 every 5-7 years

Energy

• Pump (variable-speed): $300 – $600/year
• Pump (single-speed, older): $1,200 – $2,000/year
• Heater (gas, occasional use): $400 – $1,500/year
• Heater (heat pump, daily): $600 – $1,200/year

Water

• Initial fill (one-time): $150 – $400
• Annual evaporation makeup: $100 – $400 (less with cover)

Professional services

• Spring open: $250 – $450
• Fall close / winterization: $200 – $400 (CRITICAL in Utah)
• Weekly service: $120 – $220/month in season ($720 – $1,540 over 6 months)

Equipment replacement (averaged annually)

• Salt cell every 3-7 years: $200/year averaged
• Variable-speed pump every 8-12 years: $150/year averaged
• Heater every 10-15 years: $400/year averaged
• Liner replacement (vinyl pools) every 8-12 years: $400/year averaged
• Resurfacing (concrete) every 12-20 years: $500-$1,000/year averaged

How to Lower Your Maintenance Cost

• Install a variable-speed pump (saves $400-$1,200/year)
• Add an automatic cover (saves heating + chemical + water)
• Convert to salt (saves chemical cost)
• DIY weekly maintenance if time-rich (saves $1,000-$1,800/year)
• Get on annual service plan (often discounted vs ad-hoc)
• Winterize properly (avoids $5,000+ frozen-pipe repairs)

Need help building a maintenance plan for your Utah pool? Get on our service roster →