[Jims5543]

We keep the pool open year round in Florida. I run solar heat panels set up on a pergola on the south side of my house, I did not want them screwed into my roof.

Check the chemicals every weekend. Once a month go to pool store with sample and get a free analysis. Then buy what we need for it.

The weekly A-B-C

Algaecide
Brush
Chlorine

Clean the filter once a month, and we vacuum it ourselves, although we are in a screened enclosure so it is typically dirt from when it rains.

I was running a DE filter that could go months without cleaning, it wore out. I work for pool contractors and talked to a couple, both said go with a cartridge filter, and get a spare, change it out once a month and clean at your leisure. Filter cleaning with the DE took me a bit to do and was a PITA, the new cartridge setup takes 2 minutes to swap out then about 10 minutes with a hose cleaning it off.

I have no experience with a pool up north opening and closing and have no idea what your problems are up there. I know this past 2 weeks I have been back washing 20" of rain out of mine so my chemicals are going to be wacked this weekend.