Keep your system running 24/7:This may be counter-intuitive to some, but you should run your pool filtration pump and any auxiliary pumps the entire time the temperature is below freezing.
There's a danger of freeze damage to your pools if and when temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The damage could include cracked equipment and broken pipes, both of which lead to expensive repairs.
KEEP THE WATER MOVING
As long as the water is moving at a reasonable velocity through the piping and your pool equipment, it will not freeze.
Make certain the main pool pump is running continuously while the temperature is below freezing. You should have a freeze protection device that will automatically turn the pump on when the temperature drops to around 34 degrees.
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.
Our 10-point winter pool care checklist maintains water quality during winter and helps reduce maintenance and chemical costs over the cooler months, ensuring you're swim-ready come summer . Reduce filter-running times: The pool's filter should operate 3-4 hours each day during winter.
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. But you don't have to run those 4-8 hours all at once so you can split the pump time up at different parts of the day to ease your energy budget.
Winterize position: Used in winter to relieve pressure off seals so they don't flatten and leak over time. Also lets air into the filter to help with draining the water out of your filter during winterizing. Whirlpool position: Used when you want the water to bypass you filter.
Snow and ice can cause severe damage to pool pumps if they are not protected. Like your garden hose, pool pump lines can freeze. Some internal components of the pool pump are also sensitive to the cold. Snow or freezing rain could coat an unprotected pool pump and cause serious damage.
Yes, pools can freeze solid within a few days of temperatures dropping below zero, especially when the water's not circulating. And if low temperatures continue for several days, the ice sheet can increase in thickness by up to ¼ of an inch per 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.
Keep your system running 24/7:This may be counter-intuitive to some, but you should run your pool filtration pump and any auxiliary pumps the entire time the temperature is below freezing.
Pool pumps must run at 36 degrees or lower per manufacturers specifications. Automatic freeze guard protection takes care of all this for you. Freeze guards are set at 36 degrees and will turn your main circulating pump on and will keep it on until the temperature rises back above 36 degrees.
And, at temps below 35ºF, run the pump for 24 hours to prevent freezing. Two speed pumps can operate on low speed during cold weather, and some variable speed pumps, like the Pentair Intelliflo, have built-in freeze sensors to turn on low when temperatures get close to freezing.
It is recommended to still run your pool pump during winter however, it is normal to cut back on the amount of time you run your pool pump for. In summer, it is normal for homes to run their pool pumps for 8 to 10 hours a day however in winter this can be reduced to 4 to 6 hours a day.
Ideally, your water level should be below the tile border, or the bottom edge of the skimmer if you don't have a tile line, or whichever is lower, if you have both. If you have thaws or a rainy winter, it's a good idea to check the water level while the pool is closed.
Absolutely! A cover does nothing to interfere with the water circulating through your system. It doesn't touch your pump or any other piece of equipment you have. When your pool is covered during these winter months, you can run it less, thus protecting the pump from premature aging.
Do pool pumps use a lot of electricity? In fact, a pool pump will consume between 3,000 and 5,000 KWh per year, which translates to between $480 to $800, based on the national average electricity rate of 16 cents per KWh.
Do You Run a Pool Pump While Swimming? While you can run your pump while taking a dip, it is not necessary so long as it has been running recently enough to ensure the water is clean and debris-free.
While it's possible to run your pool pump all day, doing so may bring you a shock when you get your electric bill! Instead, it's possible to determine the right length of time to run the pump for your pool, and then only run it for those hours.
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!