So make sure your filter pump is either on a timer (daytime cycles are best because that's when water is warmest and most likely to turn bad) for 12 hours daily or find a trusted neighbor or friend who can turn your pool pump on and off while you're gone.
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.
So if you have to leave it running for a week it shouldn't make a big dent in the electric bill. Having to spend the money on getting the pool back in shape will probably cost more than leaving it on anyway. I would make sure you fill the pool water as high as you can though since you will be gone for a week.
If you want to activate the pump once a day, start with six hours, but never go lower than five hours, especially in the summer. If your pool is in constant use, you may need to run the pump for up to eight hours per day, frequently checking the water clarity and chemical balance.
You should run the filter during the day since the higher temperatures will encourage bacteria growth during that time. If you don't have a timer, just ask a neighbor to tend to the filter for you or hire someone to perform the maintenance. You can actually run your filter 24 hours a day if you like.
Overall, the lessons learned today is you should run your pool pump an average 8 hours a day to properly circulate and clean your water. The pump should push your entire pool in gallons in this 8 hour period of time. Residential pool water only needs to be turned over once daily to have proper filtration.
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.
Can You Maintain A Pool Without A Pump. The short answer is yes. While pool pumps help circulate water to keep it free from bacteria and algae, it is possible to clean a pool without a pump. This is especially true for small pools and above ground pools.
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.
I think the answer to your question is about 3-6 days. The problem is that the chlorine that you need to keep the bacteria in check is used up more quickly as the temperature rises, the activity increases, and as sweat and other body stuff is put into the pool.
The procedure for adding granular chlorine is pretty much the same as adding calcium chloride or sodium bicarb to a pool. Measure the dry chemical, pre-dissolve in a bucket, and pour around the perimeter of the pool (never into the skimmer directly). There are a few types of dry, granular chlorine.
Pool pumps work in the same way. They create the flow of water that circulates chemicals evenly throughout our pools so that they can effectively sanitize the water. They carry water from the pool to the filter, heater, and chlorinator so that it can be filtered, heated, and sanitized before re-entering the pool.
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!
If the pool overflows, now only will the pool chemicals be diluted, but they may contaminate the pool deck and surrounding landscape. Removing excess water quickly is important to prevent this.
It's also safe for pool stores to recommend that customers run pumps in the winter. ... Because we live in a subtropical climate, turning off the pool pump and using only a chlorine-tablet floater is not a good idea. Though we do have some cold snaps, most of our winter weather is mild to very warm.
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. So, you can feel confident if you decide to run your pool pump for 12-hours a day.
Run the pump for 8 hours, every 24 hours. You can also pause in between; there is no need to run it continuously. Ideally, after you shock the pool, be sure to run the pump at night and during non-peak hours, to save on your energy bills.
We recommend that our customers run their pumps rain or shine UNLESS we have an electrical storm. In that case, lightning could strike an outside circuit, which could damage your pump and other equipment. If you're worried about lightening, turn the pump off or shut off the breaker.
The general rule for pumping is always push. It's much harder to pull and, if you need to regularly pull air out of the tube before water makes it to the pump, it is especially hard and some pumps simply cannot do it.
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.
So if you've ever wondered if it's OK to put chlorine tablets in the skimmer, the answer is yes. As your pool pump runs, water floats in through your skimmer line, past the pump, into the filter, through the heater, and back into the pool.
In the industry it is recognized to have the pool run for 3 hours at a bare minimum up to 24 hours. 24 hours really is overkill but it'll ensure the water is completely mixed with the chemicals.
Use 1-3 tablets at a time, depending on your pool size. You'll need enough to establish and maintain proper chlorine levels. Small Intex pools under 12′ in diameter should use 2-4 of the 1″ tablets in a chlorine floater.