Anyone else run their pump/filter 24/7?

I've been doing this since buying our house with a pool 12 years ago. If the pool is open, the pump is running and filtering. Primarly based on the recommendation of our pool store. Seemed like a good idea, but since becoming disillusioned with pool store people in general last year, I'm re-thinking the concept.

I have a 22,500 gallon IG pool. Pump/motor is 1 hp for an AG (long story, yes it was sold to me by the pool store people for my IG pool :( ), I've no idea of the filter rate. Seems to pump ok, once I get it primed and started.

I've been toying around with the idea of only running the filter at night. One potential con is as most stuff blows into the pool (leaves, etc), it currently ends up in the skimmer basket since the pump is always running. With the pump off it would probably end up on bottom and require more vacuuming.

Thoughts? Part of me says "it's not broke, don't fix it" the other says "you send enough money to the utility company already, why send more than you have to." I don't know who to listen to...

My guess is that you probably have < 4 hour turnover which means you really don't need to run your pump more than 8 hours (2 turnovers). I have a 4 hour turnover and the most I ever run the pump is about 6 hours.

I run my 24/7 for the reason you stated about the skimmer catching everything that falls in. I am kinda "nutso" about keeping the pool clean.

I recently bought a 2 speed pump and hope low speed will be enough to still get the junk into the skimmer :)

I do it all spring until the trees stop dropping stuff...About now (after Mem. Day) I'll put it on the clock. In the fall, just as I'm getting ready to close, I run 24/7 again.

I'm a stingy SOB when it comes to utilities and don't want to pay the electric companies any more than necessary. I run mine as little as necessary and that may be a few hours a day as long as the pool stays clean. It (pool) doesn't get much use. My thoughts are to run the pump/filter as little as necessary to keep the pool clean. Each pool is different so you have to experiment as to how much time and when works for you. If you have solar heating then it changes the equation. Run for maximum heating.
Just my simple opinion.
Al

running the pump doesn't really use a lot of electricity, make sure you have a 220v circuit and the longer that u run it the better. You will actually waste more on chemicals trying to get it rebalanced and cleaned up due to lack of circuluation

I run mine about 8 hours a day in the summer. I split it up into a 5 hour block during the heat of day so my heat pump works at peak efficiency and then a 3 hour block in the evening when I am home and most likely to use the pool during the week. This allows my water to turn over a couple of times and gives my SWG plenty of time to maintain my chlorine levels. In the winter I run it long enough to keep the pool at temperature and adjust the SWG accordingly to keep the chlorine levels correct. Keeping the solar cover on the pool it is usually about 6 hours a day, once again split into two blocks.

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Originally Posted by gregugadawg

running the pump doesn't really use a lot of electricity, make sure you have a 220v circuit and the longer that u run it the better. You will actually waste more on chemicals trying to get it rebalanced and cleaned up due to lack of circuluation

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Greg, I don't know where you get this nonsense. Basic electricity: I = E / R and Watts = Volts * Amps. You can run a smaller pump a lot longer to get one change over of your water but STILL burn far less elec than a larger pump. Anyone with a pool can SEE the change in electric bills and not running your pump more than is necessary will fix that. That's what timers are for. It comes down to GPM and how much elec it takes the pump to achieve that.

Usually, 220v appliances are more efficient than 110 ones--that's true. And, of course, it's true that keeping your water healthy is cheaper and easier than curing a sick pool.

Carl, once again your explanations are right on the money! BRAVO!:)

I have a 23,000 gallon IG that I have a timer on. Run first segment 10:00am - 1:00pm and the second 3:00pm - 6:00pm. Keeps the pool clean and chemicals at the right level. Seems to me 24/7 is just a waste of electricity.
This is what works for me anyway.