Several factors contribute to the proper sanitization of the pool water.
Many pool owners are left wondering “ For how long should I leave my pool pump running?”. if you run for more hours than required, in that case, the operational costs would be higher.
On the flip side, if you run for fewer hours, then you run the risk of diving in stagnant and unsafe pool water.
However, deciding on how many hours you should run your pool pump is not as straightforward as you might perceive.
To simplify everything, here in this article, we are calculating the number of hours for the pool pump to run. So, to learn, let’s scroll down:
Table of Contents
What Does a Pool Pump Do?
Pool pump is an essential pool accessory employed for efficient filtering of the pool water. A pool pump will pull out the water from the pool. Then run it through specialized filters, and then circulate the water around the pool, leaving your safe & hygienic pool water to dive in.
Calculate the Pool Volume & Turnover
If you want to estimate the volume of the water, then you can calculate by multiplying the average depth, length, and width, all measured in feet.
After that, you have to multiply the result by 7.5, and now you will know how many gallons of water are there in your pool.
Every time the entire volume of the pool water passes through the filter, then it is in technical terms known as “Turnover.” Approximately, to filter 95-98% of the pool water, three to four times turnover is best advised.
So, in a nutshell, you have to multiply the gallons of water in your pool with the three to four times of one-time turnover to know the actual turnover.
Determine the Required Flow Rate
Let’s assume that your pool has 20,000 gallons of water and the actual turnover would be 60,000 gallons. Then divide this by 24 hours, and you will get 1666 approx. Now, since the flow rate is measured in terms of minutes, divide 1666 by 60, it would be 27 approx.
A 1 horsepower pool pump filters 60 gallons per minute. In that case, you will have to let the pool pump run for at least 17 hours, which is calculated as 17 hours*60 minutes*60 gallons per minute= 61200 gallons.
You can use these calculations to know the right pool flow rate. You can split the pool pump running time. It is best to opt for a variable-speed pool pump so that you spend more time in the pool water.
Pool Pumps and Speed-Options
There are two different kinds of pool pumps, the first is the one-speed pump, and the other is the variable-speed pump. The former one has a single flow rate option. If you don’t want to turn the speed up and down, then it is the best option. However, the downside is that it doesn’t come with a speed variation so that you can slow it down to save on utility bills.
For a two-speed pool pump, you speed up and speed down the pool pump with a flick of a switch. Lower speed would mean less noise, which is an added advantage.
Invest in a Pool Cover to Reduce Pool Pump Time
By having a pool cover reel to cover & uncover in style, you can maintain the pool chemistry. Hence you have to run your pool pump for a few hours less.
The pool covers are available in three broad options. One is the solid cover that doesn’t allow even the rainwater to pass through but requires high maintenance.
The second category is the mesh cover. It prevents leaves, debris from entering the pool water, with minimum maintenance needed.
And, finally, a solar cover to extend your pool season. It keeps the water 10-15 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.
Alternatively, you can consider a patio enclosure to not just optimally use the pool pump but make the pool area look extra special
