The Value Score (VS) is a handy tool that Discount Salt Pool developed to provide an easy way for the consumer to compare systems with different features, and to objectively rate any saltwater chlorine generator on the market. The idea is very simple: to weigh the benefits that a specific saltwater chlorinator model provides you with what it costs you to own and operate it. Doing this alone can be very hard and confusing; there are a dozen different features and hundreds of combinations of those features across the market. Discount Salt Pool’s Value Score boils every system down to the same common denominator, allowing the consumer to see how much performance each system provides for every dollar you spend. In short, the higher the Value Score, the more cost-effective the saltwater chlorinator is. The surprising result is that some saltwater chlorinators offer very little performance for a very high price, and some systems offer a wide array of function for a rather reasonable price.

Here’s what the Value Score reduces each saltwater chlorinator to:  

________________ ((Chlorine Output Coefficient) + (Functionality Factor)) (Scale Coefficient)________________
(Average Market Price of the System) + (Cost of Replacement/Lifespan) + (Required Salt Cost) + (Average Power Cost)

Average Market Price: Unless there is a minimum advertised price, the most common sale price of the system is used.
Cost of Replacement/Lifespan: Cell replacement cost divided by the life expectancy of the cell.
Required Salt Cost:  The cost of the total amount of salt to purchase, which depends upon a system’s size & PPM range
Average Power Cost:  A yearly average cost, dependent on the watts used and the National Average for electricity rates.
Chlorine Output Coefficient:  Chlorine Output+1
Functionality Factor: A score of the number of features a system has divided by the number of features available (x/9).
Scale Coefficient: This number (10^6) simply scales the results from very small fractions into a practical number range.

For even easier understanding, the Value Scale is then translated into a color-coded rating system. The best scores are in green, the worst are in red:

1500+=Green, 1350-1499=Yellow-Green, 1200-1349=Yellow, 1050-1199=Yellow-Orange,
900-1049=Orange, 750-899=Red-Orange, 0-749=Red

Average Price
Prices used are either the most common sale price, or the manufacturer’s minimum sale price (if applicable).

Chlorine Output
This number is the manufacturer’s stated output of how many pounds per day of chlorine a saltwater chlorinator makes. This is the most important performance statistic, as it reflects exactly how much power the system has to chlorinate and sanitize your pool. It is this number that the manufacturer uses to create a subjective “gallon rating”, for which there is no industry standard. However, many municipalities require saltwater chlorinators to produce at least 0.04 lbs/day for every thousand gallons of water.

Warranty
The warranty reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in the lifespan of their saltwater chlorinator. The longevity of a saltwater chlorinator’s electrolytic cell is of prime importance. Having to replace an electrolytic cell more often than necessary means you could possibly spend more than you would have on traditional chlorine, in the long run.

Cell Replacement Cost
Prices used are either the most common sale price, or the manufacturer’s minimum sale price for genuine (non-generic) replacement Electrolytic Cells.

Salinity Range
The salinity range of a saltwater chlorinator has a direct impact on how much salt you have to buy, and to what degree (if any) the salt can be tasted. Generally, levels near and above 4500 ppm can be sensed by the tongue. Though every system has a minimum necessary salinity level and proscribed salinity range, there are a few that have a programmed maximum salinity level. Those that have a maximum will cut the unit off at a certain salinity level. Levels with a maximum salinity level and a small salinity range can be difficult to work with. Check with each system’s manufacturer and owner’s manual to see if it has a programmed maximum.

Controls
Saltwater chlorinator controls can either be analog or digital. Analog controls often cannot sense the salinity of the water, and generally just have gauge and a dial to work with. The best digital systems have alpha-numeric LCD screens and LED indicators, which allow automation and information feedback.

Self-Cleaning
The process of creating chlorine by breaking down the salt molecule naturally attracts calcium and other minerals to the plates of the Electrolytic Cell. However, most modern saltwater chlorinators have a self-cleaning function. The most common, accepted method of self-cleaning is by utilizing Reverse-Polarity operation, which continuously reverses the direction of the current in the cell to inhibit this build up. However, the cell will inevitably need to be cleaned at least once or twice a season.

Super-Chlorinate
All saltwater chlorine generators can super-chlorinate the water, assuming a powerful enough unit is installed on your pool. The distinction is that some systems utilize a one-touch button that will raise the output to the maximum for a predetermined length of time. Manually super-chlorinating means one would have to turn up the output by hand and then remember to return it to normal at a later time.

Clear Cell
Having a clear Electrolytic Cell is a very convenient feature. Clear cells allow easy inspection of the plates for build-up or foreign matter, and also allow you to observe the electrolytic process firsthand! Opaque cells require you to break the air-lock and disassemble the cell for any concern, and often force you to rely upon a single LED indicator as to whether there is a problem or not.

pH Controls
The addition of pH controls require the purchase of additional equipment, usually a pH sensing device, a tank that stores acid, and a dispensing drip. The benefits of pH controls are arguable, as you often must spend thousands of dollars to automate a function that for most requires only monthly maintenance.

Vector Jet
A Vector Jet is any device that replaces the standard eyeball-return jet, and uses the hydraulic pressure behind itself to force the water to the bottom of the pool (which provides dynamic coverage of the freshly chlorinated water coming from the saltwater chlorine generator). The most important aspect of a Vector Jet is that it provides vertical circulation, getting the treated water down to the stagnant parts of a pool. Vector Jets boost the efficiency of a saltwater chlorine generator, and pool as a whole.

Flow Sensor
For safety, a saltwater chlorinator must have a flow sensor to ensure that water is flowing while the saltwater system is turned on. If no flow is detected, chlorine will stop being generated. Flow sensors are either integrated into the electrolytic cell, or come as a separate piece of equipment that must be installed separately.

Plug-in Option
Units with this option are available with a standard 110v plug. For self installers, this option does away with all the wiring issues.