If you live in a climate that experiences freezing temperatures you may want to use a pool pump timer with freeze protection. The average pool system needs to run anywhere between 4-10 hours so you will have to gauge it yourself though testing over time. As we mentioned earlier, the optimal pool pump runtime is a little different for everyone. If your pump size is large for your pool (2hp+), then you can reduce the pump run time. Salt Water Pool and Spa™ participates in various affiliate programs, including Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, as an Amazon Associate we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. The first step in figuring out how long to run a pool pump for your pool is to determine your pool’s volume. Can't believe I used to run it for 8 hours a day. It can be confusing because some systems have control panels which are basically timers built into the system while others have chlorine output regulation that can be adjusted either as a percentage or output level. For some, temperatures can be as mild as 70 degrees. Aside from the pool volume, another factor to look into is the size of your filter. You can control your entire pool from almost anywhere with the touch of a button on your smart phone, tablet or computer with some of the pool automation systems on the market. While running your pool pump for 8 hours a day is ideal, running it for 2 full cycles is even better. Related: 9 Ways To Prevent Pool Freeze Damage. Here Are 7 Easy Ways To Lower Pool Chlorine, Pool Stain Removal 101 | A Quick Guide To Removing Pool Stains, Balance Your Swimming Pool Water In 7 Steps, Pool Heat Pump Repair | Pool Heater Repair, Energy Saving Tips For Your Swimming Pool, Find this on the pool pump’s label, manual, or online product page, Divide your pool size by your pump’s flow rate to find your turnover rate, Multiply your turnover rate by 2 to calculate 2 full cycles for your system, Multiply kW by the numbers of hours you run your pump a day to get total kW, Multiply this number by your electrical company’s price per kW (found on your most recent electric bill), Always keep your water warm and above freezing temperatures. If you're not sure how long to run a pool pump for, follow this general guide to recommended pool pump hours and adjust according to your own circumstances. The optimum amount of time to run your pool pump is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forever and ever and ev— you get the point. Should I run my pool pump during the day or night? But for many others, especially those living in the northeast, winters can drop below freezing temperatures of 32 degrees. - The answer is surprisingly long desipte sounding very straight forward. It means you should run the pool pump for 7 to 8 hours each day. In other words, how much water your pool holds in gallons. Recently I cut my pool pump & chlorinator to three hours a day. Well, that’s because there’s more than one answer. Keep reading to learn how to do it. If your pool just gets some morning sun, then the pump won’t have to run as long. Keep in mind that certain water features — Salt Water Chlorine Generators and heaters — may not operate properly or even turn on if the filter pump is running on low speed. And it does it based on either a pre-set time or temperature. An automatic timer powers on your pool pump for you when you’re not around. We all want to spend more time enjoying the pool, relaxing in the sun and spend less time worrying, a timer can help take some of the burden away by regulating all components of your pool system. Question: I recently purchased the Intex Krystal Clear saltwater system for my pool. Same here. HeatersPumpsFiltersCleanersCoversLinersLighting, Copyright © 2020 Salt Water Pool and Spa. A pool pump timer is a handy device that can be used to regulate pool operation or run-time schedule for your pump, filter, heater and salt system. Another factor to consider when running the pump is debris – if debris is an issue in your pool, you may need to run the pump longer. This is for two reasons: pump size and pool size. It’s unnecessary and frankly, it defeats the entire purpose of a variable speed pump. A swimming pool in standard size typically requires 7 to 8 hours to make a cycle of water circulation. Fortunately, finding the most effective run time for your pool pump takes less than 5 minutes. Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. The best way to keep your pump running consistently is by using a pool pump schedule. They can be relied on to keep your pool or spa system running smoothly all season long without the hassle. Longer filtration cycles mean cleaner water and better circulation. Outdoor temperatures change drastically during the winter. They can be used to automate your hot tub system, water features, lighting and just about anything electrical around your pool or spa. If you leave the pump run-time the same you will learn how adjusting the chlorine output will affect the chlorine production in your pool. However, you should always decide how long to run your generator based on actual measurements of the chlorine levels in your water. The level of automation and chlorine production varies with different units so it's a good idea to research your salt system before deciding if an external timer is necessary. So now that you know how to do that, it’s time to learn how to boost efficiency. You will save money by regulating the amount of time you operate your pool system and reduce the amount of time you spend maintaining your pool. Doing so would keep your water constantly circulating, your filter perpetually filtering, and your chemicals living their best life. Of course, there’s a good chance that you might just be human every now and then and forget to turn on the pump before bed. The most basic timer will turn a single pump on and off while some timers will adjust the setting on your variable speed pump and control just about anything electrical in your pool system. A saltwater chlorine generator typically runs anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of full capacity, depending on the size of the pool, the size of the generator and the climate. And because of that, they’re essential to lowering your swimming pool bills. Do this for 2-3 weeks to ensure your numbers are stable. Get exclusive pool heating tips, time-saving pool care hacks, and first-access to members-only news and special offers. Works a treat and I test the water each week. This duration of time often depends on the size of your pool and pump. That said, 8 hours is a good amount of time to run your pool pump in most cases. It sounds unnecessary, but it makes a HUGE difference. And as you already know, the amount of time it takes for your pump to go through 2 cycles depends on your pump and pool size. Normally, a pool pump would complete 2 to 3 full cycles in a day. However, often times swimming pool pump horse power is overrated for their size swimming pool. Forever. You can usually operate your generator at the lowest capacity when the weather is cool, assuming your generator is properly sized for the pool… And now that you know how to calculate the best pump runtime for your pool, there’s nothing stopping you from having the crystal clear swimming pool you deserve. First, we do not recommend running your variable speed pump at 3450 RPMs for 24 hours a day. The average pool system needs to run anywhere between 4-10 hours so you will have to gauge it yourself though testing over time. Most pool owners run their variable-speed pump 12 hours per day (3-4 hours on high speed for the pool cleaning system and 8-9 hours on low speed for filtration). Now reduce the number of hours your pump runs by say 1 hour per day whilst maintaining the minimum required to filter your water once per 24 hours.