I was going to say the same thing about electricity.

I run a "hybrid" pool. I have a heat pump, but hardly ever use it. I keep the solar cover on all the time except when swimming and have 80 SqFt of solar mats that provide about enough heat to cover heat loss during all but early May and and mid-September on.

I also run a "hybrid" chlorination scheme. I use some trichlor pucks, as as mentioned they tend to lower pH. I then use mostly bleach for the rest of the chlorine needs. It tends to raise pH. Couple the trichlor, bleach, and acid rain and I never have to use any other chemicals to maintain pH levels.