does running pump during day or night impact chemicals in swimming pool? Is one better?
Next Page - Build your own in-ground pool step by step
More interesting sites about swimming pool building
Incoming search terms for the article:
Posted: May 24th, 2010 under swimming pool kits.
Comment from scubabob
Time May 24, 2010 at 20:12
UV rays from the sun only knock out unstabilized chlorine (shock) which is why you get a better bang for your buck by shocking at dusk. You’ll use less shock to achieve the same end result and the remaining high levels get burned off by the morning sun leaving the pool ready to swim with no down time.
Now, as far as pump run times are concerned. Ideally you run it 24/7. It’s actually less wear and tear on the motor because of the fewer starts and stops that can cook capacitors and place a start load on other components. It actually uses less juice to run most pumps for 10 minutes that it takes to spool one up. Many will run along at 5-8 amps draw but want 13 to start. It also makes sense chemical wise for you. The cleaner the filter makes the water, the less money you spend treating it. Chemicals are always more expensive than electrical costs.
If you’re bound and determined to NOT run that pump 24/7 then put it on a timer and have it run 18 hours per day. When you choose for an off time doesn’t really matter and is a personal choice thing.
Residential pool pumps are sized for the pool volume and filter. They are designed to provide a turnover rate of 1.5 times. That means in a 24 hour period..it will completely run the entire volume of your pool through the equipment 1.5 times over. To get a minimum turnover of 1.0 requires 18 hours with a properly sized pump, which is why I stated that number as a minimum run time on a timed pump. You need a turnover of 1.0 as a minimum. If you don’t get that your chemical costs begin to rise as compared to your electrical.
If you go the timer route and have a gas or propane heater, you’ll need to purchase a timer with a fireman’s switch and have that properly installed. It’s important.
No heater and any old timer will be fine. They’re about 25 bucks cheaper and don’t require a gas guy or electrician to hook up legally in most municipalities.