How Long Should I Run My Pool Pump Every Day? (2023)

FAQs

What happens if you don't run your pool pump long enough? ›

When it's running, it keeps the water moving; otherwise the water would become stagnant and things like algae and bacteria could grow. The pump also clears debris from the water and keeps those pool chemicals mixed by pushing water through the filtration system.

Some commercial properties require 24-hour a day pump circulation, but as a homeowner, this is not advisable. If you are lucky enough to own an Energy Efficient, Variable Speed swimming pool pump (VSP) then , yes, technically you could run your pump for 24 hours a day.

We want to aim for 1-2 turnovers per day at a minimum. We can then run a couple of hours at a medium-to-high speed in the mid-to-high 2,000 RPM range to take care of any debris that may have been blown into the pool during the day.

On average, you should run your pool pump around 6-8 hours per day during winter and 10-12 hours per day during summer. Note that you need to run your pool pump longer during summer because algae grow more in warm temperatures.

One of the most significant consumers of energy in homes with swimming pools are pool pumps, which keep pools clean by circulating water through filters. Pool pumps can consume 3,000 to over 5,000 kWh per year.

Run the circulation system one (1) hour for every 10°F of air temperature. Example: If it is 100°F, the pump should run 10 hours a day minimum. Of course, if the pool is full of algae or a major weather event has occurred, the pump may need to run for 24 hours until the water clears.

It's best to run your pool pump during the day

Not only does sunlight give fuel for algae to grow, it also destroys your pool chlorine and this is why you should always run your pool during the day!

It may be cheaper to run the pump at night, but honestly you should run it 1 hour a day per 10 degrees of temperature at least, and it should be during the day. Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up.

A Rule of Thumb

This is based on the assumption that your average pool pump has a turnover rate of about 8 to 12-hours. That means that the total volume of your pool water will filter through your system 2 to 3 times per 24-hour period. For a residential pool the water should turn over at least once per day.

The rule of thumb is generally 8 hours, although it could be anywhere from 6-12 hours, depending on your pool's size. Each pool is unique, so to keep your pool pump efficient and effective, you need to figure out exactly what your pool's turnover rate is.

How often should I shock my pool? ›

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SHOCK MY POOL? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.

One of the biggest questions when it comes to regular maintenance is the swimming pool pump. It's not necessary to have your swimming pool pump running at all times, as this can be a serious expense on your electric bill.

Should I run my pump while it's raining? Zagers says yes! We recommend that our customers run their pumps rain or shine UNLESS you have an electrical storm. In that case, lightning could strike an outside circuit, which could damage your pump and other equipment.

As a general rule, you should be backwashing your pool about once a week or in conjugation with your scheduled maintenance. Another industry standard is to backwash when your filter's pressure gauge reads 8-10 PSI (pounds per square inch) over the starting level or “clean” pressure.

On average, pool pumps last eight to 12 years before needing replacement. Over time, it's normal for pool parts to begin to wear down. In addition, swimming pool technology has come a long way in the last decade.

That's around 24 kWh per day, or around 720 kWh per month, just running only 10 hors per day. During the heat of the summer, many pumps need to run longer to maintain clear water. And remember, pool pumps never get to take a day off.

Keep the pump and filter on while you are away.

Most pumps come have an automatic timer that makes this very easy. Set it before you leave to ensure the pool filter system will run at least 8 to 12 hours per day.

Example 115 volts X 15 amps = 1725 WATTS. MULTIPLY the hours per day that you run your pool pump by the kW. This total will be the kWh -kilowatt hour per day Example 24 hours a day X 1.725 kW = 41.40 kWh per day.

It's generally recommended that all of the water in a pool needs to be filtered at least once every 24 hours. If the pool is being used heavily (like, for example, if you host a pool party), you'll probably want to cycle it through the filter twice that day.

How long does it take chlorine to circulate? ›

Generally you will want to wait at least 4 hours, but ideal is waiting for one complete turnover of the water (the time it takes all the water to go through the filter).

You may have asked at some point, "How soon can you swim after adding chlorine?" or "How long do I need to wait between adding pool chemicals?" It is recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to an hour after adding water balancing chemicals.

A better method is adding chlorine tablets directly to your swimming pool skimmer. When your filter is running, water will move quickly over the tablets in the skimmer basket, dissolving them much more effectively than the floater does.

The Equipment

There is no need to turn off your circulation system during a rain storm. We need the chemicals to still work and want the dirt and debris to be filtered out just like under normal circumstances. Never try to change settings on the pool pump or at the timer when it is raining.

So whether you winterize your pool or just tone things down, you can absolutely run your swimming pool pump in the Winter.

They also help you manage pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Each chemical level can be managed by adding different compounds to your pool. Under normal circumstances, you should add a tablet of chlorine every 3-7 days, depending on the results of your water tests.

The average pool water evaporation rate is about a quarter of an inch of water per day or more than two inches in a week, which on a 33′ x 18′ swimming pool (an average pool size) is more than 2500 liters or approximately 600 gallons a week; this may vary depending on your climate and the factors listed above.

What is the normal evaporation in a swimming pool? Generally speaking, pools lose approximately 1/4” of water per day on average, though this can vary due to factors like wind, temperature, humidity and of course, the pool's total surface area.

The more powerful your pool pump is—the more horsepower it has—the faster it will turn the water over, which means you can run it less often and for shorter periods of time. But this is also dependent upon the size of your filter and the filtration system's pipes. A too-powerful pump can be too much for a small filter.

Here is an example to help you understand: For a 15,000 gallon pool, the pump is able to push 40 gallons per minute of water through the filter. That equates to 2,400 gallons per hour. At this rate it will take your pump 6.5 hours to filter the whole 15,000 gallons.

How often should you backwash a sand filter? ›

How Often Should You Backwash a Pool Sand Filter? As a general rule of thumb, you should backwash and rinse your filter about once a fortnight. The optimal time is right after you vacuum the pool. However, if your pool has had a lot more use than normal, it may be necessary to backwash once a week.

While shocking and adding algaecide is effective in getting rid of algae, it should not be done together. This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM.

To recap, you typically only need around 2-4 per week, and using them is as simple as adding them to your skimmer. From there, your pool pump does the rest of the work for you. Of course, always remember to buy the right tablets for your pool size and set up.

Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.

Be sure to brush the pool while the pump is operating, and to cover the entire pool from the tile line to the main drain. Sweep slowly and push the brush toward the main drain so that the debris will be pulled into the drain and then into the filter, where it will be removed from the water.

Turn the Power Off

To prevent potentially dangerous electrical issues, it's imperative that you turn off the power to your pool equipment, including pump and filter systems, heaters, certain chlorinators, and lighting fixtures.

Since rain is diluting your pool, you may expect that it will reduce the acidity of your pool water. However, all rain in the US is acidic due to pollution, so rain actually decreases your pool's pH – in other words, the pool water becomes more acidic.

“Heavy rain dilutes pool chemicals, especially salt and chlorine, which causes the pool to turn green. This means the water is not sanitised or healthy, so it's vital to address this.

Give your pool a good shock treatment 1 to 2 days before the storm hits. You can bring the chlorine level up pretty high to prolong the pool being depleted of chlorine. Run the pool for about 24hrs after the shock treatment to allow the treatment to make its way throughout the entire pool.

What is a good pool maintenance schedule? ›

It's important to brush the pool on a weekly basis to keep algae spores in check and keep your liner from looking dirty. But at least once a month, it's important to do a "deep cleaning" of the pool, to make sure you hit all those hard-to-reach areas, like behind steps and ladders.

Some commercial properties require 24-hour a day pump circulation, but as a homeowner, this is not advisable. If you are lucky enough to own an Energy Efficient, Variable Speed swimming pool pump (VSP) then , yes, technically you could run your pump for 24 hours a day.

Yes, we recommend backwashing after you vacuum your pool. This allows the filter to shoot out any dirt / debris you have vacuumed up. Don't forget to set your filter to “rinse” for 30 seconds after backwashing!

The build-up of unwanted particles often results in increased pressure to the filter reducing its efficiency – it can lead to damage. Backwashing a pool dislodges any contaminant and debris and pushes them out into a hose via the pool pump or the waste line.

Turn the lever to BACKWASH. Open the valves to the suction and return lines. Start the pump. Rinse the filter for about 1 to 2 minutes or until the water in the sight glass is clear.

Every pool should cycle through all of its water at least once a day, so most pool owners will want to run their pumps for at least 4-8 hours daily.

Swimming pool pumps should never operate without water. They will overheat and cause excess damage. Running a pump without water can also warp the lid, basket and the adjacent plumbing. If the pump continues to run without water, there is a high possibility of causing damage to the plate, seal and bearings.

Yes you can turn your pool pump off for a week. You can turn it off for a month, but there are consequences. The pool will get dirty—no pump, no filtering. The chemicals will not circulate and the water could start turning a nice shade of green as algae forms.

The Equipment. There is no need to turn off your circulation system during a rain storm. We need the chemicals to still work and want the dirt and debris to be filtered out just like under normal circumstances. Never try to change settings on the pool pump or at the timer when it is raining.

You should not let your water line fall below your skimmer at any time. Therefore, you will need to put your garden hose in your pool to fill it up as you vacuum, or add fresh water again after vacuuming. Otherwise, leave setting on “filter” and turn pump on to begin vacuuming. You will not lose water this way.

What is the average lifespan of a pool pump? ›

On average, pool pumps last eight to 12 years before needing replacement. Over time, it's normal for pool parts to begin to wear down. In addition, swimming pool technology has come a long way in the last decade.

What causes it? This can be caused by low water levels in the pool or heavy debris in the skimmers causing them to suck air. It can also be caused by a “suction leak,” where there is a breach in the plumbing in front of the suction side of the pump.

The plastic and rubber components of your pool pump can be quickly damaged by exposure to direct sun. In fact, exposure to direct sunlight over just one summer can reduce the life of your pool pump equipment by as much as 15-20%.