On average, pool pump replacement costs about $440, average prices ranged from $80 to $800 for pool pump replacement in the US in 2020.
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.
When determining the magic number of replacement parts cost versus the cost of the whole pump, we generally suggest 60-75% as the standard. If the cost to repair is within or over this range, it is smarter to replace the pump. This way you have a brand new pump and warranty covering any mishaps down the line.
The average pool contains about 20,000 gallons of water, roughly 5,000 gallons more than the typical human will drink in a lifetime, and pool pumps use up to 2,500 KWh per year to circulate and filter it.
Although it's generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time. A proactive, productive and energy-saving maintenance activity is to remove the debris floating on the pool surface with a hand-held skimmer.
If you hear a pop and a click when turning on the motor, it's a sign of electrical failure either inside your pump or inside your home. You may need to do some electrical detective work to find out what's causing the lack of power.
A pool pump can overheat in two ways: because of an electrical problem or friction. While electrically related failures are by far the most common cause for pump overheating, as we will discuss at length, there is also the potential for a friction fire to develop if a pump is starved for water.
A professional electrician will be needed to disconnect the wiring before a pump can be removed. Once a new pump is installed, an electrician will again be necessary to reconnect the wires to the new pump. A do-it-yourself homeowner with basic mechanical aptitude can replace the pool pump in a relatively short time.
The most common reasons for a noisy pool pump include blocked lines, a blocked impeller, faulty bearings and seals or unsecure mountings. The problems cause noises including loud rattling, grinding, gurgling, whining, buzzing, high pitched noises and vibrations. Many pump noises can be fixed in just a few steps.
A Rule of Thumb
Generally running your pool pump for 12-hours a day is a good option. 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.
Every pool must turn over at least once a day, so most pool pumps should run approximately 8 hours a day. But here's the thing: you don't have to run your pool pump consecutively. You can choose to run it for three hours in the morning before you leave for work and another 5 hours in the evening.
Most of the new generation of pumps are already equipped with automatic controls and safety features. In fact, if you take enough time to learn the manual, you might find yourself able to repair some of the problems on your own. Of course, there are repairs and replacements are best left in the hands of professionals.
The pool pump runs but has low water flow.
It could be something blocking it, a dirty pool filter, or too much air in the system. If there's something blocking your pump's suction, check your filter gauge. If it's 10psi above the normal reading, clean your filter. This will reduce pressure and reset your pump's flow.
The pump is losing power.
Over time, older pumps can begin to deteriorate and lose power. In other cases, you might need to clean the filter or have it backwashed.
Assuming you properly maintain your swimming pool, you should expect the below timescales on average: - Filter Cartridge – approximately 2,000 working hours, usually around 2-4 years. - Sand Filter Media – around 3-7 years. - Glass Filter Media – about 7-15 years.
Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up. Your pool is more vulnerable during the day, plants don't grow at night the way they do during the day–that's true of ALL plants including Algae.
The best time to run your pool pump is during the warmest hour of the day; however, keep in mind that this means you will have higher energy consumption, which may lead to an increase in your electric bill. If you want to save on your energy costs, you can run your pool pump at night to avoid peak hours.
Low flow = poor circulation which will lead to algae in the pool. Bottom line, the filter must be backwashed on a regular basis to ensure that your pool water is clear. "When do we need to backwash?" - It is recommended to backwash your filter once every 4-6 weeks of regular use.
Portable household generators are normally 110V but there are some that will generate 240V. Most pool pumps are wired 240V in this market. Adapting the wiring to hook up a 240V generator to a pool pump should be done by an electrician only. This is a very uncommon practice.