Get your VS pump installed asap. Please fill in your signature with all your equipment and models. Something like my signature is very helpful with all the advice we offer, including this conversation. Depending on what kind of pump you have now, you could see an immediate and drastic reduction in your power bill.
An SWG has a lifespan. X number of hours of chlorine production, then it's done, and you buy a new one. For most brands, you only buy the replacement cell, not the whole setup. So your initial cost will be up there, but subsequent replacements will be less. The cell is a consumable item, just like chlorine. Depending on your use, and the size of your pool and SWG, you might get three years out of one, or you might get seven, or ten. But others here have done the math many times, and the long term cost of running an SWG is about the same as buying all the liquid chlorine you'd need over the same time span. One method is not significantly cheaper than the other.
The difference is primarily in convenience. An SWG means no more lugging, storing and dosing of liquid chlorine. It makes a huge difference in the amount of time you need to spend maintaining a pool, and it generally makes for a better overall experience (nicer feeling water, less "chloriney," which is a bit lengthy to explain, but true).
Bottom line, I don't think we've ever read here that someone regrets owning an SWG. It's the opposite. Many claim they would never have a pool without one (I'm in that group.) Some claim they would rather fill in their pool with dirt than run it without an SWG...
