Can you run a pool pump 24 hours a day? It depends entirely on your pump. For a modern variable speed pump, running 24/7 is the new standard and the cheapest and most effective way to get clean water.
For an old single-speed pump, running 24/7 is a terrible idea that wastes money and can damage your equipment.
When to Run Your Pool Pump 24 Hours a Day
If you have a modern variable-speed pump, running it all day is the most efficient way to keep your pool sparkling clean.
As Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana, says, “if [homeowners] have a variable-speed pump, that might be just fine. Running a pump 24/7 isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it may keep the pool in its best shape, which is vital for longevity.”
The best thing about a modern variable-speed pump is that you can control the motor’s speed. Your old pump was just ON at full blast or OFF. It has a whole range of speeds, from high power all the way down to a super low trickle setting.
The pro strategy for these pumps is called “low and slow.”
You run the pump 24 hours a day, but you program it to run on a very low, quiet speed for most of that time, like 20 or 22 hours. It’s so quiet in this setting that many owners have to walk over and look at the display just to see if it’s on.
Then, you program it to kick up to a medium or high speed for just a few hours a day. This higher speed takes care of tasks like skimming the surface or running your automatic pool cleaner.
When Not to Run Your Pool Pump 24 Hours a Day
Beyond the huge energy bill, running a single-speed pump 24/7 creates a lot of unnecessary wear and tear.
Amanda Shaftel, Co-Founder of Cowboy Pools, says that a “24/7 runtime doesn’t make it any better. It actually does worse since it increases wear and tear as well as operating costs without improving a thing.”
She explains that “The biggest problem, besides energy bills, is mechanical failure. Seals are designed for cyclic operation with periodic pressure and temperature change. Continuous full-speed operation exposes them to constant heat and friction that results in leaks to the motor. Additionally, the constant high-RPM operations also shorten bearing lifespan. They become noisy, then suddenly, they stop working.”
The 8 Hour Rule
For these older pumps, the 8-hour rule is still a good guide. You want to run the pump just long enough to filter all the water in your pool at least once per day. This is called the turnover rate.
Figuring out the exact number can be tricky, but our article on How Long to Run Your Pool Pump covers this in detail. For most inground pools, this means running the pump 8 to 12 hours a day in the summer.
Pro Tip: Run It in the Sun
Some people like to run their pump at night. They think they will save money on off-peak electricity rates.
Most pool pros will tell you this is a bad idea.
Sunlight is what destroys your pool’s chlorine. Algae need sunlight to grow. Your pool is under the most stress during the hottest part of the day. You need your pump running and your chemicals circulating when the sun is attacking your water. Saving a few pennies on electricity is not worth it if you end up with a green pool. That will cost a lot more in chemicals to fix.
When 24/7 is NOT Optional (For Everyone)
There are a few times when you must run the pump 24/7, no matter what kind you have. These are emergency or maintenance situations:
After a chemical shock: You just dumped a large dose of shock into the pool. You must run the pump for 24 to 48 hours straight. This mixes the chemicals so they can work properly.
Fighting an algae bloom: If your pool turns green, the pump needs to run 24/7 until the water is completely clear again.
However, the pros caution that the pump is not the first step. “When a pool is green/cloudy, it is a good idea to run the pump for 24 hours straight,” says Yamaguchi. “First, you’ll want to brush the sides and bottom of the pool and then shock it. Then you can run the pump for at least 24 hours or until it looks clean. You will also want to test the water’s pH and levels, and you may need to clean the filter.”
Opening your pool: When you first open the pool for the season, plan to run that pump for 24 to 72 hours. This clears out all the winter gunk and gets the new chemicals mixed in.
Adding algaecides or clarifiers: Just like with shock, these products need to circulate. Run the pump for at least 24 hours after adding them.
Above-Ground Pools
Does this advice change for an above-ground pool? Yes and no.
In general, a smaller pool needs less runtime. Yamaguchi explains, “More often than not, above-ground pools have a shorter runtime need. This is purely because of size – above-ground pools are usually smaller than in-ground pools. With a smaller size, the turnover rate is shorter because there is less water to be circulated and cleaned.”
Because the pumps are smaller, you also want to be careful about wear and tear. Smaller pumps have to work harder to cycle the same amount of water, risking burning out the motor.
This advice assumes you have a good pump. The problem is that many kit pumps that come with above-ground pools are notoriously undersized for the pool.
The pump is so small and inefficient that it may need to run 24 hours a day just to achieve one turnover. You are stuck in the worst situation: running an inefficient pump all the time just to keep the water clean. The only real long-term fix is to upgrade to a pump and filter that are correctly sized for your pool.
Common Misconceptions About Pump Runtime
The pros we talked to shared a few common myths they hear from homeowners:
Myth 1: More runtime always means cleaner water:
Many owners think that if 8 hours is good, 24 hours must be better, and that the longer the pump is running, the cleaner the water will be. However, anything longer than that 5-6 hours is just circulating clean water back through the filters.
Myth 2: It is OK to run it as little as possible:
On the flip side, some owners go too far in trying to save money. Yamaguchi points out that “the biggest misconception people have here is that it’s okay to be as minimal as possible with run time constantly. People want to save money, understandably, but there is a fine line between optimizing pump run time and simply not running it enough to maintain the pool as needed.”
Myth 3: You can “make up” for lost time:
You cannot just run the pump twice as long today and skip tomorrow. “I heard someone once say that if you run your pump twice as long one time, you can skip running it the next time you normally would,” says Yamaguchi. “This just isn’t really how it works. Running it longer than necessary may not have any positive impact, and it certainly won’t carry over into the next regular runtime.”
Still Confused? Let a Pro Handle It
If you are not sure what kind of pump you have, or you want to make sure your schedule is saving you the most money, don’t guess. We can connect you with an experienced pool pro in your area who can look at your specific equipment and set up the perfect schedule for you.
Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled services in seconds and leave the rest to us.
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Main Image: Pool pumps running to filter and circulate water. Image Credit: Petra Richli / Adobe Stock
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