You may have wondered what the recommendations are for running your pool pump. Is there a limit? Is there a best time frame? How many hours per day should I run my pool pump? It’s no secret that a pool pump can use a lot of energy, which can cost a little extra on your power bill. We’ll take a look at some of these questions and help you to understand a little better how your pool pump works and how many hours per day you should really run it.
In a perfect world, the answer to our question would be all the time, but that’s just not practical, realistic, or even required for all pools.
How Does My Pump Work?
Understanding how your pool pump works will help you understand how long to run it and why. Your pump is designed to circulate the entirety of your pool water and the chemicals you add so that everything is evenly distributed. Evenly distributed chemicals means a cleaner pool.
But what’s that magic number of hours?
How to Determine Pump Run Time
How long you need to run your pump to achieve a full circulation of your pool water depends on a couple of factors: the volume of your pool and the power and size of your pump.
Calculate the volume by measuring the length, width, and depth of your rectangular pool. Multiply each of those numbers then multiply by 7.5 to get the number of gallons in your pool. Your equation might look like this: length x width x depth x 7.5 = volume in gallons.
Next, you should find the flow rate of your pump. Flow rate is the measurement of how quickly your pump can filter water in a set amount of time. It’s typically measured in gallons per minute (gpm) or gallons per hour (gph). You should be able to find this on your pump’s manufacturing information.
Now, divide the volume of your pool in gallons by the flow rate of your pump in gallons per hour to determine the number of hours for your specific setup. The number most pool owners will find is around 8 hours per day. You may find you need a little more or a little less depending on your specific pool and pump setup.
Some Considerations
If you’re looking to save a little money (who isn’t?), it’s important to note that these hours don’t necessarily have to be consecutive. You could run your pool pump in the late night or early morning hours. Did you know some electric companies charge different rates for different times of the day? It’s worth checking with your company and then planning your pump times around their “peak hours.”
You should also consider the horsepower of your pump and whether it’s a variable speed, dual speed, or single speed pump. These can also factor into how many hours you should run your pool pump.
And remember our professional staff at A-Quality Pools is always ready to answer your pool questions or provide all your pool supplies in North Richland Hills. Stop by our showroom or give us a call at 817-281-0781 today!
