A pool pump is vital for any pool as it circulates the water to keep it cool and create an even temperature. Given that a pool pump has such an important job, many assume it runs all day. While you can run your pump 24 hours straight, doing so will cause your electric bill to spike.
Instead, you can determine how long and which times of the day are most beneficial for running your pump to keep your pool clean and reduce energy bills.
Your pool pump draws water in and pushes it through a filter before returning it to the pool. Using a pump helps prevent the water in your pool from becoming stagnant and growing mold or algae.
Continuously running your pump can draw a lot of energy and may strain your pump. Generally, all the water in your pool must run through the pump at least once daily to ensure your water is clean. The turnover rate is how long it takes all of your pool’s water to pass through the filtration system. To find the turnover rate for your pool, you’ll need to perform three steps:
The first step is to determine your flow rate, which is a measurement of how fast the water flows through your pool filter. Most filter systems will feature a label that states the flow rate in cubic meters per hour.
You can find the total amount of water in your pool by measuring the deepest and shallowest depths of your pool in meters and adding these two measurements together. You will then take this sum and divide it by two to find the average depth.
Depending on the shape of your pool, you can follow these calculations to get the volume in cubic meters:
You’ll use the two numbers you found from calculating the flow rate and pool volume to find your turnover rate.
If you need help finding your turnover rate, the team at Lotus Pools is here to help! Just give us a call, and our team will be happy to work with you to determine an accurate turnover rate.
Most pools have a turnover rate of eight hours. You do not have to run your pump for eight hours at once — you can break it up during the day. For example, you can run your pump for three hours in the early morning and then another five hours after returning from work.
While your pool will be okay if you forget to turn the pump on one day, it’s best to maintain a consistent pumping schedule. Since a pump circulates water, having the water remain stagnant allows bacteria and debris to remain in your pool. Running your pool pump every other day may lead to a build-up of debris and make the water unsanitary.
Even if your pool has the right amount of chemicals, you need to pump the water daily to circulate the chemicals properly to reach all areas of your pool.
Pumps are an essential part of any pool, making it vital to ensure your pump follows a proper maintenance routine. Some of the many maintenance tasks you should perform include:
Your pump is the heart of your pool, and paying attention to its life span can guarantee your pool operates at its best. Most pumps last eight to 15 years, depending on the type of pump you purchase and its speed.
Whether you want to give your pump a quick tune-up before opening your pool for the summer season or have larger maintenance needs, such as your pool leaking with the pump off, the team at Lotus Pools is here to help. Schedule a service call to learn how we can help keep your pool in perfect condition.
