The size of your pool, the efficiency of your pump and filter, and how dirty your pool is are just some of the factors you need to consider. Nevertheless, most pool cleaning professionals would advise against running a pool pump for more than 8 hours a day.
Trust us when we say it's important to keep your water pump continuously running throughout the pool season. For hotels and other types of public pool spaces, it's actually a law to keep a pump running nonstop; but for homeowners who are concerned about saving energy, resources and money, have no fear.
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.
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!
Chemicals that you add to your pool while the water is circulating don't need to be recirculated; they will stay mixed even if you don't pump the water continually. 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.
You cannot run your pool pump every other day because the standing water can pose a health risk as it can quickly accumulate bacteria and fungi. It is crucial to run the pump every day for 8 hours (in one or multiple sessions), so the entirety of the pool's contents run through the filter once.
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.
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.
Depending on the size of your pool, we still recommend you run your pump run at least 4-6 hours a day during the fall and winter months. The daily cycle can be divided into multiple cycles, but each cycle should be no shorter than 4 hours, for all the water to pass through the filter at least once.
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.
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.
Many of the INTEX pump/filters are NOT UL rated and you should not swim with them plugged in. They do have one or two that are UL rated and can be left on while swimming. Just about all other pool equipment brands can be used while you are in the pool when properly installed.
If you are running your pool pump to filter and turn your water over, we recommend using the middle and lower speed settings. For example, for the first few days, you might run the pump at 2500 RPMs to see what your pool looks like. Next, you might dial it down to 1600 RPMs.
The filtrations system can operate at low water flow with typical motor speeds around 1000 RPM or less depending on the size of your pool and how long you want to run the pump. Suction cleaners typically run at around 2200-2400 RPM.
The rule of thumb, which has worked well for me, is to run your pump one hour for every 10 degrees of your average temperature.
There is no specific need to. The pumps primary job is to circulate water and to move it through the filter. The 1st part of that happens on its own with people in the water.
One of the most important factors in keeping your pool clean and swimmable is pool circulation. And that is generated by the pump, which is the first component of your pool's filtration system. The pool pump pulls water in, and then pushes it out through the filter.
In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the pool increases. Therefore, it is generally beneficial to have a transparent or bubble cover on during daylight hours. In warm, humid conditions the evaporation rate decreases. In this case, it may be more beneficial to leave the cover off during the daytime.
How many skimmers do I need? The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) advises that there should be a minimum of one skimmer per 400 sq. ft. of pool surface area.
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.
On average, sand should be replaced every 3-5 years. This may be longer if the pool stays clear, or shorter, if the filter runs all the time. The jagged edges of the sand wear down and become smooth as the sand ages.
DE filters are usually torn down and cleaned at least six times per year. Unless your pool gets really dirty, you should not need to backwash it beyond your scheduled maintenance. Another theory recommends to backwash when the pressure gauge is about 8 to 10 psi (pound-force per square inch) over the starting level.