Do Swimming Pool Pumps Have to Run All of the Time?

Average Run Time

• For most backyard pools, the recommended pump run time is between six and eight hours. Pool water should be circulated at least one complete cycle each day, and running the pump for only this long will ensure complete circulation. For extremely large pools the run time may be longer, although this is also dependent on the size of the pump and the amount of water that can be circulated at once. Checking the manual for the pool pump will generally give a good idea of how many gallons of water the pump can filter in a matter of hours.

Making Pumps Efficient

• During weeks when the pool is used more frequently than normal, it can be necessary to run the pump for a few more hours each day to keep the water clear. However, vacuuming the pool and removing leaves and other floating debris with a skimmer will help remove some of the larger particles so the pump doesn't have to force them through the filter. Keeping a pool cover on will prevent some of the leaves from falling into the water, and keeping tree branches trimmed back will also help minimize the work the pump has to do.

Energy Usage

• Setting a timer to turn the pump on and off at the desired times will help cut down on your energy bill as well as unnecessary wear and tear on the pump from leaving it running longer than necessary. Peak energy usage for a community is usually during the daytime hours, particularly midday through the early afternoon. This is also when energy costs the most to use, so setting the timer to turn the pump on at night -- when there is less energy usage and electricity is cheaper -- will not only minimize the cost but also the effort that goes into keeping track of how long the pump has been on and remembering to turn it on and off.

Routine Maintenance

• Backflushing the pump will remove debris that has built up in the pump and the pipes, making it more efficient at moving the water through the pump itself and the filtration system. How often this needs to be done depends on how much debris has built up in the filter, the type of material in the filter and how much dirt collects in the pool itself. Check the intake valves of the pumps on a daily basis, or at least every time the pool water is tested for chemical levels. Intake valves can easily become clogged with leaves and other debris, severely limiting the amount of water the pump circulates when it is on.