Having a pool can transform your yard into a backyard oasis that you and your family can enjoy year after year. If you have a pool in your backyard, oftentimes, you cannot just leave it alone and hope it will be clean for your next pool party. Pools require year-round maintenance, and paying attention to what your pool needs will help you have refreshing waters available every day. When people have a pool, they often wonder if it is better to run a pool pump at night or day.
Most pool care experts recommend that you run your pool pump during the day for at least 1 hour for every 10 deg. So if the day’s average temp is 80 degrees, you’ll want to run the pump for at least 8 hours. While running it at night might save you a few dollars in energy costs, running it during the day will counteract the sun’s UV rays burning off the chlorine in the pool. Also, by running the pump during the day, you will ensure good circulation of the water, which should prevent less chlorine burn off from the sun.
In this article, we will break down when it is necessary to run your pool pump as well as how long you should run your pool pump at different times throughout the year.
Is It Better to Run a Pool Pump at Night or Day
While there are pros and cons of running a pool pump at night or during the day, the overall consensus is to run it during the day. The only reason you may think of running your pool pump at night is that it utilizing utilities at night is oftentimes cheaper.
Running a pool pump during the day is recommended during the hotter parts of the day. The sun often interacts with your chlorine and burns away at it during the hottest parts of the day. By having your pump running during the peak hours of the day, you can minimize the sun’s interaction with the chlorine and keep your pool cleaner. Chlorine is at a consistent level to combat the harsh sun during the daytime hours.
Also, the entire reason that you need to run your pool pump in the first place is to infiltrate chlorine throughout your pool to keep algae at bay and keep your pool clean. One of the major things that algae need to grow and thrive is sunlight. If you decide to run your pump only at night, then you are likely allowing algae and other contaminants free access to your pool during the day.
How Long Should I Run My Pool Pump Each Day
Because the sun interacts with the chlorine in your pool, you can run your pool filter in spurts revolving around the hotter parts of the day. For example, you can run it for four hours and then again when it is hot in the afternoon.
When it comes to running your pool pump, the time of year will significantly affect how often you have to run your pump during the day. In the winter months, with the sun not quite as harsh, you can get by running your pump around 6 hours a day. When it is summertime is when your pump will be working at top effort with needing to be run at least 12 hours a day. More often than not, the hotter the temperatures are, the longer you will need to run your pump.
Although you typically need to run your pump for at least 6-12 hours a day, certain circumstances may need you to run it more. For example, if you have a pool that is needing more care to be cleaned because it is full of debris, you may need to run your pump 24 hours a day until it is all cleaned up.
Pools have a turnover rate, meaning how long it takes for the entire volume of your pool to run through a pool filter. A regular pool will have two to three turnover periods in a 24 hour period, so running it at least 12 hours a day will give it at least one turnover rate.
No matter how often or what time of day you decide to run your pump, you need to make sure you always check the chemical balance of your pool before anyone decides to swim. Even with running your pump the appropriate amount of time during the day, you are still dealing with chemicals, so you should always double-check.
Can You Run Your Pool Pump While Swimming
Yes, you can absolutely run your pool while you swim. It is ultimately your choice to run your pool while people are swimming. If you decide not to, you may just need to deal with debris later. On the other hand, if you run it while you swim you will allow it to collect any debris floating around.
If you decide to turn your pool pump off while you swim, make sure you remember to turn it back on to keep chlorine filtered throughout and your pool clean.
Is It Bad to Run Your Pool Pump All Day
It is definitely not bad to run your pool pump all day, and there are certain circumstances that will require you to do so. The main issue with running your pool pump all day is how expensive it can become for you. Running your pool pump all day won’t hurt your pool in any way, but will more likely be a major maintenance expense over time.
When it comes down to it, your pool’s water is supposed to move and not be stagnant. If your pool water is stagnant it can become overgrown with algae and other contaminants. Your pool pump will combat this issue because it moves around the water in your pool purposefully and effectively. A pool pump works by sucking water in, along with debris, and pushes out freshwater. This ever continuous process keeps your pool sparkly clean.
Conclusion
When it comes to running your pool pump at night or day, many people recommend running your pump during the day for a variety of reasons. You should try and run your pool pump during the day because the sun can pull valuable chlorine from your pool and create a perfect breeding ground for algae.
Having your pool pump running during the day can keep chlorine circulating throughout your pool and will minimize maintenance costs later having to clean your pool. The thing is, if you only run your pool pump at night, you open up the perfect space for algae and other contaminants to take over your pool. Many people try to cut costs by running their pool pump at night, but in the end, you will likely spend more doing so because you will have to get rid of algae and other issues.
Everyone has to make their own choice when it comes to running your pool pump. Experts recommend running your pump during the day to combat algae and keep chlorine running throughout.
