How frequently/long for should I run my pool pump? it's a standard single speed 1.5 hp electric motor pump.
I've heard different answers from various people and I am left wondering what is correct.
Factors seem to include: lifespan of pump; cleanliness of water; power consumption.
Some have said running the pump on a timer is bad because it will prematurely wear it out (from all the extra startups). Others have said it is good due to power savings (especially running it at night when electricity costs less)
It also makes sense that the water will not remain as clean running on a schedule since it's not cycled through the skimmer/chlorine as often. But is this a true factor?
So what is the optimal method to run the pump? 24×7? Nightly? 12 hours a day? Please cite anecdotes or any research/articles you've seen. Thanks!
Best Answer
In general the point is to filter your water. If you want to be sure about it, check the volume of your pool, and the flow rate of your pump. Run it long enough to go through that much volume 1-2 times a day. In practice, that's probably around 6-8 hours.
Make sure your chemistry is good, and then try it. If it looks nice for a few weeks, try lowering your operating time and see what happens.
As a side note, 1.5 HP is 1120W. That's probably peak power not normal consumption, but you should still assume it consumes somewhere around $0.10/hr or so.