San Antonio’s fall weather is a mix of warm days and cooler nights, and that unpredictability means you need to weigh the pros and cons of keeping your pool open. If you enjoy those extra weeks of swimming, especially since temperatures can stay quite pleasant even into November, keeping things running a bit longer might make sense. For many pool owners, the best solution is to keep the pool open but reduce maintenance to save on costs while maintaining the option to swim.

If you choose to stay open, be aware of the occasional incredible snaps that can drop temperatures suddenly. In such cases, investing in a pool cover helps retain warmth and can reduce evaporation and maintenance needs.

One of the critical factors in deciding whether to close your pool is the potential cost savings. Running the pump and keeping the water balanced requires energy and chemical use that add up over time. However, you can significantly reduce your filter’s time in the cooler months. Rather than the usual 8-12 summer hours, 4-6 hours a day might be enough to keep things in order during fall.

If you have a pool heater, extending the season becomes more attractive, but it’s essential to consider the cost of heating water. Heaters can become costly if the temperatures start to dip frequently, so weigh how much you’ll use the pool versus the expense of heating it.

Fall in San Antonio is perfect for outdoor activities—just cool enough to be comfortable without the searing summer sun. If your family loves spending time by the pool, fall can be a fantastic time for late-afternoon swims or poolside gatherings. Kids still home from school may love taking a dip in the evenings, and adults might appreciate a relaxing soak without the blazing heat of summer.

If family gatherings are in the cards, keeping the pool open for a little longer might be worthwhile. Consider using a solar cover to help keep the water warm during cooler evenings. The water temperature will be more consistent if you maintain regular circulation.

One of the significant perks of fall is that maintenance needs tend to decrease. Keeping the pool clean becomes a much simpler process with less debris from summer growth and fewer swimmers. If you’re choosing to stay open, use this opportunity to reduce maintenance costs:

• Adjust Chemical Levels: With cooler temperatures, your pool will require fewer chemicals since algae growth slows down. It’s still essential to check the water chemistry every few weeks, but the necessary amount of chlorine will likely decrease.
• Lower Filter Time: As mentioned before, your filter doesn’t need to run as long in the fall as it does during the summer. This can also help save on energy costs.
• Use a Pool Cover: Using a cover whenever the pool isn’t in use is a great way to reduce cleaning time and chemical loss. Even if you keep the pool open, covering it during cool nights can help maintain the water’s warmth and cleanliness.

Conversely, closing your pool may be the best decision if your family isn’t big on cooler-weather swimming. Closing it correctly means avoiding unnecessary expenses and putting your mind at ease until spring. By winterizing, you’re reducing wear and tear on equipment and cutting back on your energy bills.

Closing your pool for the winter involves a few essential steps:

• Balancing the Water: Ensure your water chemistry is stable before shutting things down. This helps prevent algae and staining during the off-season.
• Lowering the Water Level: In San Antonio, you don’t need to drain completely—lowering just below the skimmer level is often sufficient.
• Covering the Pool: Use a firm, adequately secured cover to keep debris out and maintain the water quality throughout the winter.

The critical consideration for closing is whether you’re ready to deal with extra prep work now in exchange for less maintenance and cost during the winter.

Even if you decide to keep your pool open, take some measures to protect your equipment from unexpected cold snaps. San Antonio doesn’t usually freeze, but it can catch pool owners off guard when it does. Make sure to:

• Run the Pump During Freezes: Moving water is less likely to freeze, so running your pump for a few hours on those rare freezing nights will help protect your pipes.
• Use Freeze Guards: If you don’t plan to monitor the weather closely, consider installing a freeze guard that automatically turns on the pump when temperatures fall to near-freezing levels.

Whether to keep your pool open or shut it down for fall comes down to your family’s needs and preferences. If you’re still enjoying swims and want to maximize your investment, keep it open with a few adjustments. If the pool doesn’t see much action as the temperature drops, closing it can save you time, effort, and money.

San Antonio’s mild fall weather offers the best of both worlds—you can keep swimming comfortably while reducing maintenance or close up with the confidence that spring opening will be a breeze if you winterize correctly.

Whether you decide to keep the pool open or shut it down, knowing the pros and cons is critical to making the right choice. If you want those last few weeks of swimming fun, adjust your maintenance routine, cover when possible, and watch the weather. If winter relaxation is more your style, go ahead and winterize to avoid the expense and effort of maintenance.

No matter what you decide, some planning will go a long way toward a healthy pool ready for action when warmer weather comes back around. Here’s to making the best choice for your San Antonio oasis so you’re always prepared to jump right in! 

More From This Category