How You Calculate Flow Rate
Flow rate is an important criterion to consider when selecting a pool filtration pump. First, you need to determine your pools volume or how many meters cubed of water your pool holds. If you dont have this information readily available, you will need to calculate the volume by the shape of your pool. Make easy work of this by using our handyPool Volume Calculatortool.
Did You Know?
Here are the formulas to calculate a pools volume:
Rectangular Pools: Length x width x average depth = total pool meters cubed Circular Pools: x radius squared x average depth = total pool meters cubed
Once you have the pool volume, you can calculate the flow rate. The flow rate is the amount of water that is filtered in a given time and is expressed in m³/hour. More specifically, it is calculated as a function of filtration of pool water in 4 hours.
For example, if the volume of the pool is 48 m³, the volume of water that the filtration system must filter will be 48÷4, i.e. 12 m³/hour. If the volume of your pool is higher, for example 80 m³, the volume of water to be filtered will be 80÷4, or 20 m³/hour.
Be sure to communicate this information to your pool professional in order to facilitate the process of choosing the ideal pool pump for your swimming pool.
How Do I Compute For My Pumps Run Time
To determine your pumps run time, you need two key pieces of data. The first is your pool volumeand the second is the flow rate of your pump. The math is quite simple actually, get your pool volume, divide it by the flow rate of your pump and you should have the time needed to completely cycle your pool water and therefore answering the question of how long you should be running your pool pump.
Heres a quick example. Lets say your pool volume is 70,000 liters and lets say youre using the Water TechniX Pump Alpha 1.0hp which has a flow rate of 210 liters per minute with a head of 50 feet .
70,000 liters / 210 liters per minute = 333.33 minutes
That means that your pump is a good size and youll need to run your pool pump for about 5½ hours every day, lets call it 6 hours per day for good measure. Do you see now how important it was to know exactly how long your pump circulates the water? If you have the exact same setup as our example and you were running your pump for 8 hours a day, you would have wasted a couple of hundred dollars per year on electricity costs alone since you were running your pump longer than whats required.
Lets look at the other side of the coin. Lets say you have a pool thats 110,000 liters and a pump that has a flow rate of 210 liters per minute.
110,000 liters / 210 liters per minute = 523.80 minutes
Need help to figure our your pool volume and pump flow rates? Check out our sizing guides through the buttons below.
A Pump That Doesnt Pull Water
If your pump isnt pulling water, there might be obstructions in the various components of the pump system. Jammed impellers can also cause a pump to not pull water. If water flow stops altogether, it could be due to small air bubbles getting into the pump basket. Ideally, a pool pump should be airtight, but sometimes theres a leakage in one or more valves or gaskets. Fixing this problem means finding and repairing the leak.
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Best Time To Run The Pool Pump
If you want to know the right time to run the pool pump, then it generally depends on the preferences. While many people love to run the pool pump during the day time while they are swimming, some prefers to run it at night time. The best time to run the pool pump is during the night time due to a few reasons. First of all electrical companies may charge less for using energy during non-peak hours i.e. between 9 pm and 8 am. Secondly, the pool will look clear and will be ready for the swim next morning with no stains from rust or the elements.
In Conclusion
So now you know the best time of day to run pool pump. You have to understand that running the pump is very important and you need to ensure that you are running it every day as daily maintenance based off of the size of pool you choose. The time can differ but make sure to run the pump at least 8 hours a day to keep the water clean and properly balanced.
How Your Pool Pump Works
Your pool pump is the circulatory system of your pool. Keeping the water moving as much as possible assures that your pool will not become a stagnant bog, prone to attracting all sorts of insects, algae, and bacteria.
The movement of water enables your pool filter to do its job: to filter out debris and bacteria that might have snuck into your pool water. Even if you have the best, top-of-the-line pool filter, it cant clean your pool unless you run your pump.
Running your pool pump every day is a must for any pool owner. But in order to determine how long is long enough and the best times for your lifestyle we need to dig a little deeper.
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What Other Factors Affect Ideal Filtering Time
Its not just the turnover rate or time that it takes to filter all your pool water you should consider. There are other important factors too such as environmental conditions, the season and how often you use your pool.
In case of rain or storm, your pool would get more dirt and bacteria than usual. During such conditions, you will need to run your pool pump for longer. Try an additional couple of hours.
Its very important to understand that each pool requirement is very different. You might be in a location where theres not so much dust and pollen. A good idea is to go by eye. If your pool water is sparkling and the chemistry levels are balanced, then try reducing the filtering time by 1 hour.
Similarly, if the water looks very dirty, green or cloudy, try running your pool pump for an additional hour or two. Youll need to experiment to find the ideal time you need to run your pools pump.
And if you have algae, the amount of time you run your pools filter and pump should be 24 hrs per day until you clear it.
How Long Should You Run Your Pool Pump
- |May 19, 2020
Running your pool pump is the first step in Pool Maintenance 101. Every savvy pool owner knows that this is one of the easiest parts of owning a pool: cleaning your pool without breaking your back. The science to running your pool pump, however, can be a bit more ambiguous.
Every pool is different and every pool filter has its own specifications. Knowing how long to run your particular pool pump and what time of day makes the most sense can actually save you a bundle in the long run.
Answering these two questions can make a huge difference to your pool chemistry and more importantly, your utility bills. So, how long should you run your pool pump?
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Stagnant Water Is The Enemy
Now, if your pool pump only runs 8-hrs daily, what happens for the other 16 hours? The water just sits there offering a perfect storm of potential microorganism and particle buildup. This is not good!
Filtering smaller particles throughout the day is so much less work and way more efficient for the filter vs a large amount of junk coming in all at once.
Additionally, if your pool water has sanitizer equally circulated throughout the water, and there are no stagnant zones for microorganisms to seek out, the sanitizer works smarter and not harder, and keeps things from ever getting started.
The solution is always circulation!
But, how long to run the pump? is the question that yields so many conflicting answers when doing your Google search.
And yes, we know its frustrating to find so many conflicting answers!
So, in order to figure out
Here are the TWO most important things you need to know first
Is It Ok To Run A Pool Pump 24 Hours A Day Or Continuously
Yes you can run your pool pump continuously for 24 hours. Its ideal actually and it doesnt harm your pool or the pump. But its a costly approach if youre only using a single speed pump. Your electric bill will likely go off the roof.
For example if you went from running your pump 8 hours a day to 24 hours per day, your power bill for the pump will go from about $260 per year to over $800 per year .
If you want to work out how much it costs to run your pump, check out our article:
But if you dont mind paying the extra bill, then why not? Youll have a clean pool all day long.
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How Long Should My Pool Pump Run Every Day
I get this question about 100 times per year. While I’ve always maintained to run your pool pump motor longer, about 8 – 10 hours per day during the Summer is optimal, there is some interesting research out there that contradicts what we may have heard. Before we get into it, we should first answer some questions.
How To Become A Pool Pump Pro
With the advent of dual and variable speed pool pump, there’s no need to filter your water 24/7. You can look forward to a lower electric bill and a pool pump that will last for years and years when you invest in a VSP. Go be a pool pump pro and have the best pool in the neighborhood.
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What Does My Pool Pump Do For Me
To understand how much run time you need, its wise to find out what exactly your pump does for your pool. The pump is the heart of your pool and it circulates water out and back in your pool, distributing pool chemicals and filtering your water. It is recommended that you turnover or circulate your water at least once throughout the day. This will make sure that the chemicals are properly distributed and your water stays clean and fresh. If you dont circulate your water, you run the risk of algae growth and unbalanced water which can be unsafe for swimmers, etch, and cause pitting within your pools surface.
But First Lets Talk About Why You Need To Run A Pool Pump
Your pool is filled with shimmering, blue water that begs you to dive right in and enjoy its coolness. But when the pump stops working and that beautiful water becomes stagnant, its not so appealing anymore. The pump moves the water, which is what creates the awesomeness that is your pool.
Did You Know?
Ever wonder how your pool pump works? It works like this: the pump pulls water in from your pool and then pushes it out through the filter. Then, the filter catches all the bacteria and debriseverything you dont want in your poolto keep the water pure and inviting.
All the water in your pool must run through the filter at least one time a day. This is called the turnover rate, and its an important aspect of figuring out how long to run a pool pump.
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Need Help Testing The Water
It is worth your while to take a water sample to a professional water testing location once a month. Professional water testing is about making sure you, your family, and your investment are 100% safe, happy, and healthy. Make sure to properly collect a water sample to increase the accuracy of the test.
At Parnell Pool & Spa, our trusted specialists use only the best equipment and procedures to get a complete and accurate reading of your pool water. Our computerized Water Analysis System, BioGuards® ALEX®, provides results in an instant with step-by-step instructions. Bring us your water sample today and leave knowing every step needed to get your pool water safe and sanitary.
Fiberglass For The Win
There are some definite advantages to having a fiberglass pool. One of these big perks relates to the pool pump and how often you need to run it.
Algae love to find nooks and crannies to attach to and grow in. There is less chance for algae to grow when your pool water is moving, particularly when there are also proper levels of chemicals circulating around the pool. However, as a fiberglass pool owner, you have a huge advantage when your water pump is off.
Remember those nooks and crannies we mentioned? Your fiberglass shell doesnt really have them. While other types of pools have pores or rough surfaces, fiberglass pools have a smooth, Gelcoat finish that resists buildup.
Fiberglass pools also often have stairs built right into the shell. So there are no attached ladders with crevices to collect unwanted contaminants.
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The Role Of The Swimming Pool Pump
First of all, it helps to understand what your swimming pool pump does, so you know when its needed.
Pumps are essentially the heart of your swimming pool, keeping the water circulating through the various cleaning systems. A swimming pool pump pushes water through the skimmer baskets, then through the finer filter before being released back into the pool.
The pump also helps evenly disperse any chemicals that you add to the pool.
Ultimately, your swimming pool pump is a vital part of keeping your pool clean and healthy. While your filter removes the dirt, water cannot get to it without the pump!
Guidelines For Running A Pool Pump
The turnover rate of a swimming pool is the amount of time it takes for the pumping and filtration systems to cycle all of the water in the pool once.
Turnover rate for pools:
- Swimming pools: 8 hours or less
- Wading pools: 2 hours or less
- Spa pools: 1 hour or less
Keep in mind that your pool will need to run longer or at higher speeds if you have moreswimmers than usual, if the pool gets a lot of sun, or if the weather is warm. A pool in Floridas climate will likely need more run time than a pool in Ohios climate.
As a starting point, though, you can use this formula:
pool volume ÷ flow rate = hours to run the filter for one turnover
If you dont know your pools volume, you can use an online calculator like this Pool Volume Calculator from Pentair.
Lets say a 17,000-gallon pool like our 40-ft. C40 model uses a filter that circulates 2,400 gallons per hour.
Using this formula, the filter should run for about 7 hours per day for one full circulation.
Side note: concrete pools generally require 2 full circulations per day to maintain clean water…twice the electrical energy required for a fiberglass pool.
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How Much Water Is In My Backyard
Once you find the gallons per minute you will need to find the amount of gallons within your pool. This is a valuable piece of information that every pool owner should know. I promise, if you dont know this now, you will need it soon. To calculate the amount of gallons your pool contains you could calculate the Length X Width X Average Depth X 7.48 for square pools and Area X Average Depth X 7.48 for oval pools. Or you can keep it simple by visiting our friends at Pentair and entering your measurements there. Once you find the amount of gallons, write it down!
What A Variable Speed Pump Does
Are you running your pump at full speed all the time? Did you know that this might not be necessary? Switching from a single to variable-speed filtration pump is an eco-friendly upgrade that can lead to energy savings. Use this handy calculator tool to simulate just how much you can save by switching to an energy-saving pool pump.
Many pool owners have discovered the benefits of high-efficiency, variable-speed pumps over single- or even dual-speed pumps: In addition to energy savings, variable-speed pumps are quieter and have longer lifespans. The multiple speed options mean you can decide when you need extra oomph for more intense filtration and when you can dial back to a lower, energy-efficient, greener setting.
In reality, constantly running your pump is neither practical nor even really needed. As long as all the water in your pool goes through the filter at least once a day, it will stay clean and healthy.
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Running Your Pool Pump During Non
Did you know the rate you pay for electricity changes throughout the day? Its based on what electric providers call peak hours, meaning when more people are using more power, and putting more strain on the grid.
Peak hours vary from location to location. For example, in warmer climates, peak hours most likely correlate to when people have their air-conditioning cranked, maybe late afternoon or early evening when people are getting home from work and turning up the A/C.
All it takes is a call to your provider to find out the peak hours where you live. Once you know that, try to schedule your pool pump run time around those hours to keep your cost lower.
You can make this really easy on yourself by using a programmable pool timer to turn the pump on and off at the right times.
