When it comes to determining how long your pool pump should run, you're likely to hear a myriad of conflicting advice, often based on some generic "rule of thumb" that may, or perhaps may not, suit your specific situation.
The people giving you advice mean well, but they're not the ones paying your electricity bill, and in reality you didn't ask the question you really had in mind: "How do I deliver a crystal clear and sanitised pool at the lowest cost?"
At Together Energy, we're here to set the record straight and help you make informed decisions on how to minimise your pool's daily operating costs while ensuring crystal clear, sanitised water.
Before you read on, let's set the record straight: Australian pool pumps tend to be about 1.0 kW and we pay on average $0.38/kWh. So if you're running your pool for 2 extra hours every day, you're wasting $280 per year, not to mention the environmental impact.
So in this post, we're going to review the most common rules-of-thumb.
Turnover
The rule: Aim to complete a turnover of your pool daily, meaning the total volume of water in the pool should circulate through the filter once per day
Our take: This is the most common yet overly simplistic one.
Does it matter if it's summer, winter, hot or cold? What if my pool is crystal clear?
A variant of the same rule is that this should be achieved in 8 to 12 hours each day. For most of us with a single-speed pool pump, you can aim all you want but if it takes 6 hours or 14 hours to achieve one turnover, that is what it is.
Daily run time
The rule: Many pool professionals suggest running the pool filter for about 8 to 12 hours per day. This duration is often sufficient to achieve the recommended turnover rate.
Our take: The traditional 8 to 12-hour recommendation fails to address the primary concern: minimising operating costs. Simply meeting turnover goals without considering electricity expenses isn't cost-effective.
Climate considerations
The rule: In warmer months or climates, run the filter for 10 to 12 hours to prevent algae growth and maintain water clarity. In winter, they recommend run times of 6 to 8 hours.
Our take: Seasonal adjustments are crucial, but solely relying on simple summer-winter schedules overlooks the impact of other factors like water balance and pump efficiency.
What have we learned so far?
We’re not answering the right question: how do I keep a pool clear for the lowest cost?
All these rules of thumb ignore something important, whether it’s your equipment, the size of your pool or the season.
Variable speed pumps
The rule: If your pool has a variable-speed pump, you can adjust the speed to control energy consumption. Running the pump at a lower speed for a longer duration can be more energy-efficient than running it at a higher speed for a shorter time.
Our take: Variable speed pool pumps are the best, and that'll be the topic of another post.
Your chlorinator isn't affected by pool pump speed, so do you really need to run your variable speed pool pump longer if it's crystal clear? We say no.
Nighttime filtration
The rule: Some pool owners prefer running the filter during nighttime hours when electricity rates may be lower. However, many experts tell you to run the pool during the day, when the chlorine is in highest demand. Some recommend a night and a day run.
Our take: You should aim to maintain steady chlorine levels at 1 to 3ppm (that's parts per million).
Assuming you have a chlorinator, if you only run it at night, then on long summer, high UV days, the chlorine levels will yo-yo up and down.
To keep chlorine levels steady 24/7, perhaps running the filter and chlorinator 2 hours in the morning, 2 hours mid afternoon, and 2 hours at night would be ideal. If you can juggle your electricity and solar rates to achieve that cheaply, even better.
Monitor water clarity
The rule: Observe the clarity of the pool water. If the water is consistently clear, the filtration time may be sufficient. If you notice cloudiness or other water quality issues, you might need to increase the run time.
Our take: This is definitely right. As soon as the clarity drops, something needs addressing.
Get the water tested, clean the filter, check the chlorinator is working well, and until you've fixed the problem, run that filter.
Chemical balance
The rule: Maintain proper chemical balance in the pool. If the chemical levels are within the recommended ranges, you may be able to run the filter for a shorter duration. However, if adjustments are needed, longer filtration times may be necessary.
Our take: This is definitely right, and should be the rule of thumb #1.
For years, I ran my filter for too long, and if the water didn't look perfect, I ran it even longer.
You will find many posts dedicated to water balance in our blog.
Remember, we're asking "How do I deliver a crystal clear and sanitised pool at the lowest cost?", the first priority is balanced water, so test it well and test it often.
Adjust for heavy usage
The rule: If the pool experiences heavy usage, such as parties or events, consider running the filter for a longer duration to handle increased contaminants.
Our take: The goal is crystal clear and sanitised water. Sunscreen, bacteria, perspiration, the occasional dog swim, all add bacteria and other contaminants that your sanitiser (chlorine) must deal with. Your filter also needs to remove the debris.
So yes, definitely run it longer the more use it gets. Wouldn't it be nice to do that at the push of a button?
In conclusion
While rules of thumb provide a starting point, the key lies in understanding the key factors affecting your pool and asking the right question: How do I minimise daily operating costs while maintaining a crystal clear, sanitised pool?
By prioritising water balance, assessing specific conditions, and making informed adjustments, you can optimise filtration efficiency and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
We want to cut unnecessary energy waste and leave more time for enjoying the pool.