Running your pool pump and filter is integral to a clean pool. Without using the pump regularly, you are inviting algae and bacteria for a swim!
Most Intex pool owners run their pump for about 12 hours a day. Running it 24/7 would be too expensive and not practical enough. Today we are here to alleviate your electricity expenses.
We will show you the way to calculate how long to run an intex pool pump for. It includes more factors than you might think.
Our method is very accurate, and the steps are easy to follow. While it relies on some more complex calculations, we found a way to simplify it!
How long to run an intex pool pump?
Before we can get down to the number you need, you will be required to collect some information. Let’s look at what we’ll need and where we can find it:
1. Your pool’s volume:
This is the amount of water that your pool can hold. You can determine this by measuring your pool’s depth, width, and length.
Once you get those numbers, you multiply them by each other. And then, you multiply the result by 7.5. The result is your pool’s volume (in gallons).
The basic formula:
Length x Width x Depth x 7.5 = Approximate Volume (Gallons)
Note: You can use this basic formula for most Square and Rectangle shaped Intex Pools. You can also use this handy calculator if your pool has an unusual shape.
2. Your pool pump’s flow rate:
This tells you how much water your pump goes through over time. You can usually find this inside the manufacturer’s manual. If you don’t have it, just google your pump’s model.
You should be able to find it there, too. The manufacturer measures the flow rate at GPM (gallons per minute) or GPH (gallons per hour).
If you don’t get the flow rate you can simply calculate it by using the following formula:
Total Pool Volume ÷ 8 = GPH
For example, if your pools volume is 24,000 gallons then, the flow rate would be:
24000 ÷ 8 = 3000 GPH
Note: Turnover rate for swimming pool is 8 hours.
3. Your pool pump’s Speed Type:
Is your pool’s pump a single-speed, dual-speed or a variable-speed pump? Faster operation means you might be able to run the pump for less time and get the same result.
It’s time to do some math!
There is a simple formula that lets you calculate the preferred amount of time to keep it running. Keep in mind that calculation is strictly mathematical. It calculates the amount of time you need to run your pool pump based on its capacity.
You will need to consider other factors before deciding on the optimal time. Exposure to Sun, amounts of debris, and more swimmers all mean you might need to run the pump longer.
Simply take your pool’s volume (in gallons) and divide that number by the pump’s flow rate. The result will tell you how much time you’ll need to keep your pump running each day.
Pools volume ( gallons) ÷ Pups flow rate (gallons per hour) = Pool pump run time
Let’s try a quick example. Let’s say that we have a pool that holds 25,000 gallons of water. And to clean it, we use a pump with a flow rate of 2,500 GPH. If we divide 25,000 by 2,500, we’ll get 10 hours.
25,000 gallons ÷ 2500 (GPH) = 10
This means that we would need to run the intex pool pump for 10 hours each day.
Why should I run my intex pool pump?
There are numerous reasons you should be running your pool pump. If you chose not to run it for a week, there is a strong possibility of your water turning green. The pump is what keeps your water circulating.
If your pool water gets enough time to stagnate, it may causes an algae bloom. The pool pump is also responsible for filtering and removing debris—things like skin residue, dust particles, sand, dirt, or insects.
Even if you use a very fine skimmer to clean those up, some fine residue will still end up at the bottom. Without running the pool pump, there is no way to ensure your chemicals get adequately mixed.
That might mean that some areas of your pool won’t get the chemical treatment. Failing to run the pump over more extended periods might make your pool impossible to swim in.
When should I run my pool pump?
If you are looking to save on electricity expenses, try the off-peak hours. Some electricity providers will charge less for consumption during certain hours.
Most energy suppliers tend to charge a flat rate. But, if your provider has off-peak hours – definitely put them to good use.
Image source: grenum.com
The off-peak hours are when it’s generally quieter and most households sleep. That way, there’s not too much need to use electricity. The off-peak range could be between 11 PM and 7 AM. You should run your pool pump when there is no one using the pool.
Pro tips: There are many utilities in a few states of USA, who offer special incentives for buying Energy Star approved pool pump. The amount can be couple hundreds of dollars. You can contact with your local utilities for more details.
How much does it cost to run an Intex pool pump?
It depends on the pool pump’s energy consumption and your pool’s size. You can use another calculation to determine the exact cost per day:
1. The first thing you’ll want to do is check your pump motor’s label. You should be able to find the voltage and amperage ratings of the pump. The label should indicate the highest and lowest voltage and amperage ratings.
2. The next step is to multiply the voltage rating by the amperage one. Your result should be the number of watts (W) the pump would use.
3. Divide that result with 1,000. This calculation will let you convert watts (W) into kilowatts (kW).
4. Now, you will multiply the number of kilowatts by the number of hours you run the pump daily. Doing that will give you the total kilowatts per hour for the entire day’s worth of filtering.
5. You will need to look at your most recent power bill for the last step. It should tell you the cost of kilowatts per hour. Multiply the kilowatt consumption per day with the monetary value of the cost. The result will tell you how much it costs to run the pump for a single day.
Final Verdict:
Hopefully, by the end of this guide, you understand the importance of running pool pump. You should have no problem settling how long to run intex pool pump for some simple calculations.
Keep in mind that there are outside factors that may require you to run it longer. It all depends on where the pool is. The Pool Might be exposed to the Sun or large volumes of debris.
Having more people in the pool means more working time for the pump, too. By using the off-peak time (if any), you should be able to alleviate the electricity expenses to some extent.