Consistent filtration is essential to maintain a clean and clear swimming pool. Pool Pump — Another very important factor in pool water quality. So, how long does the pump run for good filtration of your pool water in #days? The answer varies based on factors such as pool size, usage, and environmental conditions. In this Companion Article, we will discuss the optimal running time for your pool pump and how a robotic pool cleaner can help you make your pool a better place.
What Does a Pool Pump Even Do?
But before we talk about how long should your own pool pump run, we need to know what the pump does. The pool pump draws the water through the filtration system to eliminate debris, grit, and contaminants. It siphons water out of the pool, runs it through the filter, and returns it clean and clear to the pool. Pool pumps also promote even distribution of chemicals, helping to maintain balanced water chemistry, and avoiding algae growth.
What You Need to Know Before Buying a Pool Pump
Now, the general rule of thumb for how long to run a pool pump is 8-12 hours a day. This amount of time is necessary for the water in the pool to be filtered and there is enough time for dirt and pollutants to be trapped by the filter. But, several variables can affect the ideal run time for your pool pump:
Pool Size
The bigger the pool, the more water that needs to be circulated and filtered. Typically, a pool pump should filter the total volume of the pool in a single run cycle. The flow rate of your pump and the size of your pool can help you determine the ideal run time.
Pump Flow Rate
Pool pumps are rated for flow rate typically in gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate: This shows the amount of water the pump is able to move through its filters in one minute. You can determine this time by dividing the pool’s total volume (in gallons) by the pump’s flow rate to see how long it will take to filter the entire volume of water in the pool. If your pool water is 20,000 gallons and your pump can process 40 gallons a minute, your pool will take 500 minutes (or approximately 8.3 hours) to fill!
Pool Usage
If you use your pool often, you must operate your pump for a longer time. Pool parties, heavy rain, or many swimmers can result in more contaminants in the water, demanding the pump work longer to keep the water quality acceptable. On the other hand, if the pool is used less often, the pump may only need to run for a shorter duration.
Environmental Factors
Leaves, twigs, and dirt can all fall into the pool, particularly if you’re in an environment with a lot of wind or trees nearby. In these types of situations, running the pool pump for a prolonged time will allow the filtration system to keep up with the amount of debris.
Energy Efficiency
You need to balance the ideal pump run time with the energy consumption. Longer run time means better filtration at the cost of increased energy consumption. Pump the pool during off-peak times or use a variable-speed pump that changes its speed depending on your pool’s needs. Variable-speed pumps are more energy efficient and can run longer without adding much to your energy bill.
How a Robotic Pool Cleaner Could Be the Solution
Now, we all know you need to run your pool pump several hours a day to keep your water clean and healthy, but adding a robotic pool cleaner to your maintenance routine can actually lessen the burden on your filtration system. Robotic cleaners, including the Beatbot AquaSense Pro or Beatbot AquaSense, efficiently extract scrolling from the pool’s floor, walls, and water line, preventing larger/slimmer particles from entering the sway filter in the first place.
Advantages of Utilizing a Robotic Pool Cleaner:
Less Pump Load: By collecting debris before it enters the pump, robotic cleaners put less load on your filtration system, meaning the pump doesn’t have as much work to do.
Comprehensive Cleaning: Robotic cleaners are programmed to cover the entire pool, reaching every nook and cranny. This preemptive cleaning reduces the overall time it takes for a water filtration process to happen, and prevents contaminated water from entering the sample.
Energy Saving: Because robotic cleaners work autonomously from the pool’s filtration system they can clean the pool without having the pump running. This approach helps save energy, in turn lowering maintenance costs as a whole.
Has your local swimmable pool become so hot (or cold) you would need to get used to the pool temp before diving in?
Here are some tips to enhance the performance of your robotic pool cleaner and pool pump:
Regulate Your Robotic Cleaner: Allow your swimming pool robot cleaner to work at a minimum of two to three times a week to stop debris from accumulating. This will reduce the strain on your pump and filter, which will allow them to work more effectively.
Use Pump During Off-Peak Hours: If possible, schedule the run time of your pump to be off-peak when energy costs are lower. Some of the newer style pool pumps have the capability to automate the operation for your convenience.
Make Sure to Check Filter Pressure: Keep an eye on the pressure gauge of your filter. When the pressure increases over 10 psi, it’s time to clean or backwash the filter. A clean filter ensures pump operation at its peak efficiency.
Use a Variable-Speed Pump: A variable-speed pump can be modified to run at various speeds so that it operates longer while using less energy. With all the new technology, these pumps are far more energy-efficient than their single-speed counterparts.
Monitor the Chemistry of the Pool Water: Balanced pool chemistry makes it easier for your filtration system. Regularly check and adjust pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels for a clean pool and efficient equipment.
Conclusion
How Long Should I Run My Pool Pump? Dirty & Clean Pool Pump Run Times According to experts, a pool pump should run somewhere between 8 to 12 hours a day, depending on your pool size, activity level, and environment. You’ll then be able to use this figure to calculate how long your pump will need to run in order to properly filter and clean your pool.
A robotic pool cleaner such as the Beatbot AquaSense or Beatbot iSkim Ultra can also help streamline the cleaning process, making this tool an excellent addition to your pool service routine. And because they remove debris before it reaches the filtration system, these pool cleaning robots ease the burden on your pump, which can improve energy efficiency and prolong your item’s life. Invest in a crystal-clear pool with minimal effort and energy use with the right combination of pump run time and robotic cleaning technology.